Coping practically and emotionally with children's cancer

Accepting help from friends and family and finding support to help you through.

Get information about your child’s illness and treatment

It may help to find out more about your child’s illness, treatment and possible side-effects. Your doctors and nurses are the best people to talk to, but you can also get information from booklets, leaflets and online. Remember that online information may not be reliable. Talk to the doctors and nurses about where to look. 

We have a factsheet to help you get reliable information online. The best advice is to use a website by a recognised organisation such as the Irish Cancer Society or the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (UK site).

If a lot of information about your child’s illness makes you anxious, you could ask a friend or family member to get the information for you and tell you anything important.

Many parents find it useful to write out a list of their questions at home to bring with them to the hospital. Staff will do their best to answer them honestly but remember not all questions can be answered straight away.

The nurses at the hospital can answer your questions but can also help if you’re struggling with your emotions or your child is finding it hard to cope. They have supported many parents and will be able to do the same for you. They can also tell you about helpful services at the hospital for you and your child. For example, complementary therapies, music therapy,or play specialists.

Medical social workers are trained to help you and your family with your social issues and emotional and practical needs. They can also give advice on social welfare benefits, financial matters and practical supports and services available to you and other family members, such as brothers and sisters.

Our nurses – including our Children’s Cancer Nurse – can support you and help you to find services to help. You can call our Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie

Our parent peer-to-peer support programme can put you in contact with a trained parent volunteer who understands what you’re going through. Call our Support Line for more information in 1800 200 700 or email info@irishcancer.ie

Many local cancer support centres offer counselling services, creative therapies and practical support for children with cancer and their families. 

Find your local children's cancer support centre here.

Work together with friends and family

Try to share the demands of the new situation with your partner if you have one, friends and family. Involving other people can help you cope, and often people who care about you and your child will be glad to feel they are involved and helping. Some ways they can help include:

  • Listening to your concerns, fears and needs
  • Going to medical appointments with you to ask questions and help you remember the information
  • Preparing a meal
  • Doing housework and running errands
  • Giving you lifts or doing school runs

  • Looking after the children so you can attend appointments, or just take a break

     

Use the practical and financial supports available

Looking after a sick child can create unexpected expenses and difficulties. Often parents living outside the Dublin area face the added difficulties of travel and having to organise the care of their families for longer periods while away. The medical social worker will be able to give you advice about benefits to which you may be entitled and other financial supports, such as grants.

One grant you can apply for is the Irish Cancer Society's Children's Fund. This is a one-off grant of €3,000 that is not means tested. It is to help with the unexpected expenses that a diagnosis brings, such as travel expenses to cancer treatment appointments, heating bills and childcare costs. To qualify, the child:

  • Must be under the age of 18
  • Must have been diagnosed with cancer and currently be receiving treatment
  • Must live permanently in Ireland

Look after yourself

Obviously your focus will be on your child during their illness, but your physical and mental health are important too at this stressful time and you will need and deserve lots of care and support. Looking after yourself will help you to cope and care for your child.

Take a break at times when your child needs you less. Take opportunities to spend time by yourself, with your partner, family or friends and with your other children. Get a babysitter occasionally so that you can pursue your own interests, or go out for a relaxing few hours. It will do you good to take a break from hospitals and treatment for a while and your sick child will enjoy the company of someone outside the family. 

Eat well, take some exercise and try to get enough sleep. Don’t ignore any health problems of your own. 

Having a sick child is hugely stressful in lots of ways. Taking time to process your emotions or talking to a friend or loved one can be very helpful. Free one-to-one counselling is available through our affiliated cancer support centres. If you’re very anxious, feeling overwhelmed or finding it hard to cope, let your GP know. You can also call our Support Line to talk to a cancer nurse in confidence. Call 1800 200 700 or email info@irishcancer.ie

Find out about children’s charities and support groups

They offer a range of services, such as:

  • Help with transport and accommodation
  • Cancer information
  • Counselling
  • Financial support
  • Medical equipment 
  • Weekend breaks
  • Complementary therapies
  • Play therapy
  • Social events and outings
  • Parent support meetings
  • Children and teen workshops
  • Respite
  • Support at home
  • Support for brothers and sisters

See a list of helpful organisations here.

The Irish Cancer Society also has a range of services for families affected by a children’s cancer diagnosis. 

Local support

Across the country, the Irish Cancer Society works with cancer support centres to help provide services and support for children and adolescents with a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more

Booklets

Children and young people with cancer - A guide for parents
Children and young people with cancer - A guide for parents
Booklet 47 pages 5.68 MB
This booklet has been written for the parents of children and young people diagnosed with cancer.
View Download
Supporting brothers and sisters of a child with cancer
Supporting brothers and sisters of a child with cancer
Booklet 17 pages 2.6 MB
A practical information guide for parents and other adults who are caring for siblings of a child with cancer.
View Download

Related links

Side-effects of children’s cancer treatment
Life at home during treatment

We're here to help

Our range of free services are here for you

Creative arts therapy

Creative arts therapy

For CAYA patients and their siblings from 0-24yrs, to support the psychosocial needs of a young person. This service is available nationwide, at home or as locally as possible.
Julie Wren Complementary therapies

Julie Wren Complementary therapies

The Irish Cancer Society funds a haven on St John’s Ward in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, which provides massage, reflexology, mindfulness and meditation to children.
Parent peer support

Parent peer support

Trained volunteers offering emotional and practical support to anyone whose child is going through or finished their treatment.
See more services

Talk to a Cancer Nurse

Support Line

Support Line

Our Cancer Nurses offer confidential advice, support and information for anyone affected by cancer. Call or email supportline@irishcancer.ie. Video calls available. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Call us Freephone 1800 200 700
Support Line

In-hospital support

The Irish Cancer Society's Children’s Cancer Nurse at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital one day per week provides free, confidential advice, support and information to anyone affected by a child’s cancer.
More information
In-hospital support