Children's Fund

We provide a grant of €3,000 for families of children under 18yrs diagnosed with cancer, supporting families with the cost of a cancer diagnosis. 

What is the Children's Fund?

The Irish Cancer Society’s Children's Fund offers financial support to the parents of children with cancer. This is to help them with the unexpected expenses that a diagnosis brings, such as travel expenses to cancer treatment appointments, heating bills and childcare costs. 

This one-off payment of €3,000 is not means tested.

In 2024 176 families availed of the Children's Fund 

Who can apply for the grant?

To qualify for the Children's Fund, 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

How to apply for the grant

The application form can be downloaded here or can be provided by a member of the team involved in the child’s treatment. 

Any child at any hospital can apply for the grant.

This application can be completed by a parent or guardian with the legal right to make decisions on behalf of the child. 

We will need photo ID of the parent applying (Drivers licence, passport, Public Service Card) sent to financialsupport@irishcancer.ie. This will be deleted from our system once verified. 

The completed form, signed and stamped by your GP or a healthcare professional involved with the child’s treatment, must be sent, along with photo ID, to the following email financialsupport@irishcancer.ie or by post to Patient Travel & Financial Support, Irish Cancer Society, 43 / 45 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 VX65. 

Consent from a parent or guardian, acting on the child’s behalf, must be provided.


Blue and white illustrated icon showing two people talking

Reach out for support

We have a range of services to help families affected by childhood cancer. We're here for your family whenever you need us, just reach out today. 

We're here to help

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.
In-hospital support
Parent peer support

Parent peer support

Trained volunteers offering emotional and practical support to anyone whose child is going through or finished their treatment.
Parent peer support

Tommy's Story

'Our family’s lives were put on hold to be by Tommy’s side in Dublin'

Read story
Tommy with his Mam, Róisín

Children's Fund application form

Children's Fund application form
Children's Fund application form
Booklet 1
An application form to apply for the Irish Cancer Society's Children's Fund grant