In this episode, Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer is joined by Ellyn and Eden, both former members of Cancer Fund for Children’s Youth Engagement Group, along with Joanna, a Youth Engagement Worker with the charity. Together, we explore how the Youth Engagement Group empowers young people to influence decisions, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change around the impact of cancer.

This conversation focuses particularly on school and education in Northern Ireland—looking at how schools can better support young people affected by cancer. And as we discuss, that doesn’t just mean those with a diagnosis, but also siblings, friends, and young people supporting a parent or carer at home.

We share personal experiences of the education system, highlight the importance of equipping school staff with the right tools and understanding, and talk about the fantastic resources created by the Youth Engagement Group- which you can see here on their website.

If you would be interested in joining the Youth Engagement Group- keep an eye out on CFFC social media for updates!

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Laura.Rohdich@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Laura’s Instagram: @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com | helen@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

In this podcast we are celebrating 10 years of our Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home Amy's House, Belfast. You can learn more about our accommodation service by listening to this episode or visiting our website here.

A special mention to the charity Love Amy. You can visit their website, or on Facebook to learn more about this wonderful charity and their 'Smile Grants'.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Laura.Rohdich@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Laura’s Instagram: @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com | helen@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses the death of a young person from cancer which you may find upsetting or distressing

In this podcast Silé and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer take over from Laura and Helen to speak to Maciej. Maciej fell in love with Aga while she was receiving treatment for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Aga unfortunately died from a rare condition called Bloom Syndrome. Maciej talks about what it was like to fall in love with someone while they were receiving cancer treatment. What it was like to become a carer for his partner and navigate her hospital family.

There are organisations in Northern Ireland and the UK to support you and your family with bereavement. If you have lost a partner check out Widowed and Young. If you have lost a child or a sibling look at Child Bereavement UK, Winston's Wish, the Compassionate Friends, Slow Group (online), Cruse Bereavement Support, as well as Young Lives vs Cancer and Cancer Fund for Children (details below). Maciej also speaks about how useful he found Lifeline who you can contact 24/7 on 0808 808 8000

Maciej also references the Willow Foundation who help seriously ill young adults make lasting memories- which they did by funding a meal from Aga’s favourite restaurant on the ward before she died.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk | Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Simon & Laura’s Instagram: @Simon.YoungLives | @LauraYoungLives

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children

Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

In this special episode Lily from Cancer Fund for Children and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer talk to Viktorija who is 23 years old and has been supported by Lily and Cancer Fund for Children in Dublin. Viktorija was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in August 2022 which has spread to her lungs, liver, and pelvis. She shares the importance of staying positive and surrounding oneself with supportive people. Her story highlights the significance of human connection, whether through the compassionate care of her medical team or the unwavering support of her family and boyfriend. Viktorija’s experience at Daisy Lodge, a place where young people with cancer can connect, underscores the value of community and shared experiences.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Simon.Darby@younglivesvscancer.org.uk | Laura.Rohdich@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Simon & Laura’s Instagram: @Simon.YoungLives | @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com | helen@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

In this episode we talk to Ryan and Rachael who have become fierce friends thanks to a residential in Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge. While there cancer diagnosis was different (Ryan was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Rachael was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma brain tumour), we spend some time chatting about their diagnosis and treatment, what Radiotherapy is like, and what life has been like since and the joy of meeting others and trying new things. Enjoy!

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Simon.Darby@younglivesvscancer.org.uk | Laura.Rohdich@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Simon & Laura’s Instagram: @Simon.YoungLives | @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com | helen@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

Welcome to S4 of the C Tea!

In this feel-good and heartwarming episode, we’re joined by two absolute legends—Jake and Ella—who know a thing or two about what it means to be a sibling of someone diagnosed with cancer. Ella’s sister Phoebe was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Jake’s little sister (also called Ella!) faced a brain tumour diagnosis. They sit down with Simon and Helen to spill the C-Tea on what it’s really like being the sibling—how they coped, supported, laughed (a lot), and grew through it all.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: getsupport@younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Simon.Darby@younglivesvscancer.org.uk | Laura.Rohdich@younglivesvscancer.org.uk Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Simon & Laura’s Instagram: @Simon.YoungLives | @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children

Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: services@cancerfundforchildren.com | helen@cancerfundforchildren.com Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren