Children's cancer supports
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.
Creative arts therapy
Play, art, dance and music therapy help children work through emotional, social and behavioural difficulties from cancer. Using the mediums of play, art, dance and music, rather than talking, can help children and adolescents learn to express themselves, explore and make sense of the world in which they live and resolve any difficult or painful experiences. Creative arts therapy may be beneficial for people who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally.
Who is this therapy for?
- Children, adolescents and young adults (aged 0-24) with a cancer diagnosis (during or after treatment)
- The siblings of young people with cancer
Counselling
Talking to someone confidentially to discuss a difficulty in your life can be a real help as you go through your cancer journey. Children and adolescents and their loved ones can get free one-to-one counselling at affiliated cancer support centres, funded by the Irish Cancer Society.
Who is the counselling service for?
The counselling service is available for:
- Children and adolescents who have had a cancer diagnosis
- Family members, including brothers and sisters of young people with cancer
- Carers, teachers and close friends
CLIMB® programme
CLIMB® - Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery
CLIMB® is a support programme for children aged 5-12 who are experiencing the impact of a cancer diagnosis of a parent, brother or sister, member of extended family or other significant adult.
The programme runs over 6 weeks, where specially trained staff helping children demystify cancer and learn coping skills through therapeutic art and play to express their feelings and emotions.
CLIMB® programme helps children:
- Understand cancer by providing information and dispelling myths
- Learn how to express and cope with feelings and emotions associated with cancer
- Feel part of a social group by making friends with other children through a shared experience
- Develop skills to cope with the dramatic changes they are witnessing and experiencing in the family
The National Cancer Control Programme Survivorship team now co-ordinates the delivery of the CLIMB programme and works with cancer support centres and hospitals throughout the country to facilitate the programme and to expand its delivery.
Contact your local cancer support centre for more information.
Find support near me
Leinster
ARC Cancer Support
ARC's Cancer Support Centres are a haven from the outside world, offering support, free of charge, to men, women and children affected by cancer and those who care for them
CanTeen Ireland
CanTeen Ireland is a nationwide support group for young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who have or have had cancer.
Arklow Cancer Support
ARC's Cancer Support Centres are a haven from the outside world, offering support, free of charge, to men, women and children affected by cancer and those who care for them
Greystones Cancer Support
CanTeen Ireland is a nationwide support group for young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who have or have had cancer.
Purple House Cancer Support Centre
Purple House is a home for home for families living with cancer. Whether a person is in treatment, has finished treatment, or is supporting a loved one coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC
The Cancer Support Sanctuary provides psychotherapy counselling and support to Cancer sufferers throughout their cancer journeys.
Cuisle Cancer Support
The Cuisle Cancer Support is helping people diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers by confidentially providing information, counselling and therapies, free of charge to everyone.
Cuisle Cancer Support
The Cuisle Cancer Support is helping people diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers by confidentially providing information, counselling and therapies, free of charge to everyone.
Hope Cancer Support Centre
The Hope Cancer Support Centre supports all who are diagnosed with cancer and those affected by a cancer diagnosis. All their services are provided free of charge to everyone.
Ulster
CUAN Cancer Centre
CUAN provide a confidential service that responds to the needs of those affected by cancer. They provide therapists and counsellors, and offer individual social supports and services that enhance well-being and quality of life.
Ionad Naomh Pádraig
Ionad Naomh Pádraig is a multi-purpose community centre, providing a wealth of community, support, education and developmental services for all ages with or without cancer in Irish language.
Connacht
Mayo Cancer Support
For more than two decades, Mayo Cancer Support has been offering emotional support to people affected by cancer. All their services are provided free of charge to help with the impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Roscommon Cancer Support
In association with the Irish Cancer Society, Roscommon Cancer Support is part of the National Network of groups that provide information and support services to people with cancer, offering a range of support to individuals on their cancer journey.
Tuam Cancer Care Centre
Tuam Cancer Care is a charitable organisation that offers counselling support in Tuam and the surrounding areas to people going through cancer.
Hand in Hand
Hand in Hand is a children's cancer charity that provides practical and emotional support to families affected by childhood cancer nationwide, free of charge.
Cancer Care West
Cancer Care West provides professional community-based practical and emotional support services, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer in Galway, Donegal, Inis Aoibhinn or Mayo.
Munster
Recovery Haven
Recovery Haven Kerry provides free cancer support services to the people of Kerry. Whatever stage you are at, from diagnosis to post-treatment or caring for a loved one, you do not have to do it alone.
Solas Cancer Support Centre
The Solas Cancer Support Centre provides free, high-quality cancer support services, including information and support, counselling, and wellness sessions.
For more information on any of our supports, call our Support Line in 1800 200 700 or call into a Daffodil Centre.
Talk to a Cancer Nurse
Our Daffodil Centres
Support Line
