Gold Ribbon Conversations

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.May is brain tumour awareness month. Brain tumours are the second most common cause of cancer in children in Ireland. Like a lot of childhood cancers, the symptoms can be varied and can be similar to other childhood illnesses. Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing.  In this episode I’m joined by 18 yr old Freya Fitzpatrick and her mum Emma. Freya was first diagnosed with medula-blastoma, a brain tumour in March 2018 when she was 12.She has gone through surgery and numerous rounds of chemo and radiotherapy but her cancer returned in 2022.We talk a lot about transitions.The impact of a diagnosis at 12 and missing 1st year.The impact of a second diagnosis at 16 when her independence should have been taking off. And the impact of transitioning out of crumlin and childrens care and being treated as an adult in the health system. With some honesty and words of wisdom for other teens going through this.To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by financial advisor Eleanor Murnane. Her son Theo was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 14 months old.He's now 6 and doing really well. We talk about how challenging it is to figure out the financial hurdles of life while caring for a sick child and why she is now giving her time and financial advice for free to families fighting childhood cancer as part of a brand new initiative. Childhood Cancer Ireland has teamed up with the LIA (the centre of excellence for the education and development of financial professionals to provide information and advice to help families navigate their way through this difficult time. The financial support programme is free of charge, non judgemental and entirely confidential. You’ll learn more in this episode - and by visiting childhoodcancer.ie To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Joining me today is Dr. Massa Jabra, a doctor in Syria. Dr. Massa was appointed Childhood Cancer Advocate for SIOP this year. SIOP is the International Society of Paediatric Oncology where her role is to spread awareness of childhood cancer and SIOP's work to the paediatric oncology community. Massa is also involved with BASMA (which means smile in Arabic), a Syrian organisation for children with cancer. She volunteers for psychosocial support for children. She believes that psychosocial support is as necessasry as medical treatment. We talk about what led her to become an oncologist, the challenges of care in a conflict zone, public awareness of signs and symptoms and how when survival is your top priority, healthcare becomes more challenging. Dr. Massa's work is so necessary and exceptional and we thank her for joining us.To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Karen Dempsey is a celebrant and founder of Entheos a supportive service that can walk alongside families when marking an occasion or a loss.When it comes to funerals, Karen wants to normalise the conversation.She understands how important it is for people to know that they have choices. They have permission to be creative and design a ceremony that is meaningful and right for the person they are cherishing. We talk about how as a nurse she recognised the need for a more human compassionate support to step in and hold people through their loss. We talk about how ceremonies can be fun and bright and full of life, why ceremonies are so good for our souls and how she encourages anyone who missed out during covid to plan one now with the people who should have been there. To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.If you have been impacted by the loss of a child, you will find information, resources and support at Anam Cara, an organisation which supports parents after bereavement. They also have information for siblings, grandparents and other family members, which may be helpful.Carmel O’Mahony gave birth to her first baby Zoe 2016When Zoe was nearly 3 and a half, Carmel's maternal instinct told her that this new tiredness and vomiting was something more serious. It was ATRT, a very rare tumour with a 40% chance of survival. Surgery, chemo and proton therapy followed - but zoe relapsed in March 2020They had a beautiful spring together as a family but Zoe’s fight would end quickly in June less than a year after diagnosis..Zoe loved Crumlin and Crumlin loved Zoe.The whole corridor was lined with staff as a guard of honour. We talk about grief and spirit. About her little life and the huge impact she made. And we talk about the courage it takes to continue after losing a child. ***Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation.As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Joining me today is Jenny Forde to share Marlie’s story. Marlie is a bright and happy little girl doing so well after going through so much. In 2021 when Marlie was 3 and a half she was diagnosed with a malignant Grade 4  brain tumour and endured several life saving surgeries and treatments. Jenny takes us thorugh her early symptoms, a mothers intuition, the impact on the wider family and the processing of the trauma after the fight is done. This is a beautiful and compassionate episode full of enduring gratitude and hope. To join our parent workshops in 2024 - find out more on our websiteTo help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Joining me for our final episode of the year is Paediatric Anaesthetic Radiation Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist in St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar - Edel Tevlin. And it’s made even more poignant as we record on Edel’s final week in work before her retirement.  Edel was the first paediatric nurse in St. Luke's and will retire in December after a long nursing career and 8 years in this role. St. Luke's is the National Radiotherapy Centre. Approx 50% of children diagnosed with cancer will require radiotherapy - and those aged around 2-4 would need a general anaesthetic for every radiotherapy session because they have to stay still. We talk about her career and what brought her to St Lukes, how meaningful it is to connect with and support the families.About the special play areas for children and the knitted crocheted blankets every child receives thanks to Friends of St Lukes.  We would like to wish Edel every thanks for her service and a long and happy retirement. And to you all listening, we hope this podcast has supported you this year, thank you to our guests for sharing their personal stories and to you all listening for being here. To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode, I’m joined by Laura & Stephen Reily as they share the journey they have been on since their 2 year old son Jude was diagnosed with Leukaemia just a few months ago in June 2023. We talk about the initial signs and symptoms, to the eventual diagnosis.How much their world, their priorities and their perspective on life changed.We talk about the moments of despair and the moments that lifted them up and gave them immeasurable hope. Jude has been through a lot - but he is on track and his cancer is highly treatable.But this has been an unimaginable year for this family - who now look forward to Jude becoming a big brother, maintenance and one day ringing that bell.To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.