Irish Cancer Society Fertility Project
A partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Merrion Fertility Clinic.
What is the Childhood Cancer Fertility Project?
The Childhood Cancer Fertility Project is a partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Merrion Fertility Clinic which aims to ensure that, where possible, lifesaving treatment for children does not come at the cost of their future dreams of parenthood.
Who can avail of this?
This project offers free fertility preservation and other services to young people with a cancer diagnosis, including:
- Children who have yet to reach adolescence
- Female survivors of childhood cancers aged between 18 and 27
How to avail of this service
For more information, speak to your child's medical team or contact our Support Line on 1800 200 700.
Aims of the project
It is hoped that this project will lead to a number of benefits and improvements for patients and survivors, including:
- A structured fertility health service for children, adolescent and young adult cancer patients, that will make it possible for patients to be routinely referred for the assistance they need in a timely manner
- Access to fertility testing and tailored counselling to help patients and their families understand and explore the options that are available to them
- Addressing an identified gap in knowledge and resources for healthcare professionals by empowering them to inform their patients about fertility options open to them, and refer them to an appropriate service.
Background to the project
Each year in Ireland around 200 children are diagnosed with cancer, the treatments for which can cause lifelong damage to fertility, seriously impacting their future chances of ever starting a family of their own.
The partnership between the Irish Cancer Society and Merrion Fertility Clinic aims to ensure that, where possible, lifesaving treatment for children does not come at the cost of their future dreams of parenthood.
The project aims to develop new supports and services across a number of phases to address a current significant gap in care and improve the long-term quality of life for children with cancer in Ireland.
The first of its kind in Ireland, the Childhood Cancer Fertility Project will develop cutting-edge methods to preserve fertility for certain children who do not have access to such a service here.
More than 4 in 5 children now survive their cancer diagnosis, and it is known that having the ability to start their own family is incredibly important to survivors in later life. Ireland currently lags behind the UK and other European countries in fertility services for children, adolescents and young adults who go through cancer despite this increasing need, leaving some families resorting to travelling abroad for help amid the stress of cancer treatment, with others receiving no help at all.
The project is supported by the National Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Fertility Preservation Consortium comprising the Irish Cancer Society, Merrion Fertility Clinic, the National Maternity Hospital, and Children’s Health Ireland, with further support provided by the National Cancer Control Programme.
Related Services
In-hospital support
Children's Fund
