Children’s cancer charities and support groups

Some parents find it helps them to meet other people with similar fears and worries, share information and advice, and support each other. We have listed organisations and groups that can help you if you’re caring for a child with cancer. There may be support groups for particular cancer types, parents, or groups at your local cancer support centre. 

Our cancer nurses can help you to find information and support. Call Freephone 1800 200 700.

Charities and support groups

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie

A registered charity that provides practical assistance and support for families in need who have a child with cancer. It takes referrals through St John’s Ward at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. 
Tel: 01 240 1332 

Website: www.aoibheannspinktie.ie

Barretstown

A specially designed camp for children with serious illnesses and their families. 
Tel: 045 864 115 

Email: info@barretstown.org 
Website: www.barretstown.org

More Information

Bubblegum Club

A registered not-for-profit organisation that provides outings for children who have a life-threatening or long-term illness, or are disadvantaged in some other way. 

Tel: 086 262 8888 
Email: info@bubblegumclub.ie 
Website: www.bubblegumclub.weebly.com

BUMBLEance

A nationwide professional medical transport service for long-term sick and seriously disabled children. It transports children in a fun environment from home to their treatment centres. 

Tel: 083 00 44 444 
Email: info@bumbleance.com 
Website: www.bumbleance.com

CanTeen Ireland

A nationwide support group for young people aged between 12 and 25 who have or had cancer, and also for their siblings and friends. 
Tel: 01 872 2012 

Email: info@canteen.ie 
Website: www.canteen.ie

Childhood Cancer Ireland

A registered charity founded and led by parents of children with cancer and survivors. It raises awareness about childhood cancer, advocates for improved services and funds vital supports for affected families.   

Email: info@childhoodcancer.ie 
Website: www.childhoodcancer.ie

Children in Hospital Ireland

An organisation that works directly with children in hospitals to help them cope with illness and being in hospital. It also provides ongoing support to their families. 

Tel: 01 290 3510 
Email: info@childreninhospital.ie 
Website: www.childreninhospital.ie

Children’s Leukaemia Association

An association that supports and assists families of children with leukaemia in the Munster region.

Tel: 021 494 9801
Email: info@cla.ie 
Website: www.cla.ie

Cliona’s Foundation

A registered charity that provides financial help for hidden costs in caring for critically ill children in Ireland. 

Tel: 061 331 333 
Email: info@clionas.ie 
Website: www.clionas.ie

Cancer Fund for Children

A registered charity in the Republic and Northern Ireland that provides support to families. Its cancer support specialists (CSS) work in CHI Crumlin and the community, providing practical and social support to families. It also provides a purpose-built therapeutic centre offering short stays to families impacted by cancer. Daisy Lodge is based in Co Down and there are plans to build a second lodge in Mayo. 

Tel: 01 562 1580
Website: cancerfundforchildren.com

Hand in Hand

A national support service that provides practical support for families of children with cancer. 

Tel: 087 660 0103 
Email: support@handinhand.ie
Website: https://handinhandcharity.ie 

Watch this video from Denise Gordon a play therapist with Hand in Hand. Denise's role is funded by the Irish Cancer Society.

 

Julie Wren Trust

A trust that provides complementary therapies for children with cancer at CHI Crumlin. It also provides funding for palliative care for children at home or in hospital. 

Tel: 01 428 2792
Website: www.childrenshealth.ie/support-the-children/what-your-support-does/juli…

Make-A-Wish Ireland

This organisation grants the wishes of children aged between 3 and 17 living with life-threatening medical conditions to bring hope, strength and joy. It is an affiliate of the International Make-A-Wish family. 

Tel: 01 205 2007 
Email: info@makeawish.ie 
Website: www.makeawish.ie

Ronald McDonald House

An international charity that provides accommodation in a caring and supportive environment for families whose children are seriously ill in hospital or undergoing treatment at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. 

Tel: 01 456 0435 
Email: ronaldhouse@rmhc.ie 
Website: www.rmhc.ie

The Gavin Glynn Foundation

A registered charity that provides assistance to families who are travelling abroad for specialist cancer treatment that is not available in Ireland. 

Tel: 01 201 6030
Email: info@thegavinglynnfoundation.ie
Website: https://tggf.ie/

Useful websites

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

US children’s charity that provides useful resources.

www.alexslemonade.org

Beads of Courage

This programme enables children to use colourful beads as symbols of courage that show the milestones they have hit while being treated for cancer. They receive beads for various treatments and procedures, as well as special courage beads along the way. This international programme was brought to Ireland, and is funded by, Childhood Cancer Ireland.

https://childhoodcancer.ie

www.beadsofcourage.org

Children’s Oncology Group (COG)

Based in the US, this is the world’s largest organisation devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.

www.childrensoncologygroup.org 

Young Lives vs Cancer (previously known as CLIC Sargent)

A UK charity for children with cancer that publishes a wide range of books, including storybooks.

Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk

 

Jigsaw

An Irish charity that focuses on supporting the mental health needs of young people aged 12-15.

www.jigsaw.ie

Health Talk Online

This website contains video content of people talking about a range of health conditions. One section focuses on cancer in young people. It covers topics such as symptoms, side-effects, coping strategies and self-image.

Website: https://healthtalk.org/introduction/cancer-young-people/

Reachout.com

This is an anonymous and confidential place where young people can talk about their health and mental wellbeing.

http://ie.reachout.com

SteppingUP.ie

Irish website with information and support for young people with long-term illnesses who are moving from child to adult health services. 

http://steppingup.ie

Stupid Cancer

Global support community for adolescents and young adults with cancer. 

http://stupidcancer.org

Teenage Cancer Trust UK

Cancer information and support forum for teenagers with cancer. 

www.teenagecancertrust.org

TYAC (Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer)

UK organisation that provides information and support for teenagers and young adults with cancer. 

www.tyac.org.uk

The Little Princess Trust

A charity which funds real hair wigs for children in Ireland and the UK. 

www.littleprincesses.org.uk

International cancer information websites

Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)

CCLG is a leading children’s cancer charity and the UK and Ireland’s professional association for those involved in the treatment and care of children with cancer. CCLG produces a wide range of publications – books, booklets and factsheets – based around many aspects of children’s cancer. These can be downloaded from its website.

Website: www.cclg.org.uk

Lymphoma Action (UK)

A UK charity that provides in-depth information on lymphoma.

Helpline: 0044 808 808 5555 
Website: www.lymphoma-action.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support (UK)

A UK charity that provides specialist healthcare, information and financial support to people affected by cancer.

Tel: 0044 808 808 0000
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
 

National Cancer Institute (US)

The US government's main agency for cancer research and training.

Website: www.nci.nih.gov
 

Neuroblastoma UK

A UK charity dedicated to finding a cure for neuroblastoma. 

Tel: 0044 20 3096 7890 
Email: hello@neuroblastoma.org.uk 
Website: https://www.neuroblastoma.org.uk

Sarcoma UK

A UK charity that funds vital research and offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma.

Email: info@sarcoma.org.uk
Website: www.sarcoma.org.uk

Blood Cancer UK

Blood cancer research charity in the UK.

Website: https://bloodcancer.org.uk/

For more information

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