PROJECTS

DONATION MADE FOR NEW PATIENT PACKS AND END OF TREATMENT BAGS

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We are happy to announce we've made a new donation of £9,000 to the amazing Candlelighters charity. This funding will enable the charity to provide New Patient Packs and End of Treatment Bags to help support children and their families through their cancer journey.

Both of these resources have the dual purpose of providing children and their families with practical items that will be helpful and bring some fun into an often dark time, but are also crucial in signposting families to Candlelighters support and helping them to engage with services to improve their mental wellbeing.

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New Patient Packs: The time after a diagnosis for families can be totally overwhelming; things often move very quickly in order to provide the best care for the child and there is a lot of new information for families to digest. The Candlelighters Family Support Workers who are based on the ward deliver the New Patient Packs, taking the time to  introduce themselves to each family and explain everything Candlelighters can do to help.

The packs contain a range of practical items for the family to use, with descriptions introducing families to Candlelighters support and services, from an activity book for the child representing all of the peer support groups the family can access, to relaxation oils representing the wellbeing sessions available, to a ‘worry monster’ for children to raise any worries to their family, representing children’s one to one talking therapy.

End of Treatment Bags: The End of Treatment Bags are given to families as their child finishes their cancer treatment. For many parents, reaching the end of treatment can bring mixed emotions. This is probably the moment they have waited for since hearing the diagnosis. They may feel happy and relieved that their child is better, but often may also feel anxious that the cancer may come back; it can be a very unsettling time.

Although the child will be seen frequently in clinic after treatment, something they hear a lot from families is how they can feel isolated after treatment. Many services are no longer available to families once their child finishes treatment and they can feel as if they go from being surrounded by support to being at home on their own. However at Candlelighters, support is available for the long term and they can access services post-treatment for as long as they need.

The End of Treatment Bags are made up of practical items for the whole family to use, each representing an aspect of Candlelighters support and signposting to how families can access this post treatment e.g. a mood tracker with how to access Talking Therapies, to travel mugs with an explanation of our new Community Support Programme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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‘The bags are so useful, Emma uses the diary to keep track of Kasper’s Chemo and we use the bag for his meds.’

Paul (Dad) and Kasper, aged 2

 

 

 

 

 

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‘The tote bags were a fantastic idea and full of very thoughtful and considered items. They made myself and my daughter Evie smile and she enjoyed eating the chocolate with her mummy... It was nice that each item had a label on providing someuseful information. This will be a big help to new families and especially for those who aren’t the most confident when it comes to asking questions.’

Simon (Dad) and Evie, aged 6

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DONATION MADE TO CANDLELIGHTERS CHRISTMAS GRANT FOR 20 FAMILIES

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This grant will provide a Candlelighters Christmas Grant for 20 families. We know how difficult this year has been for many of our families and how this year more than ever, Christmas Grants will be so important.

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Financial uncertainty can increase pressure on what can already be a strained family unit, as many of our families face sustained loss of earnings, mounting costs and concerns over job security as a result of their child’s diagnosis – all heightened by the impact of COVID-19. This year, in particular, these grants will be so important to our families, whether they use them to put food on the table at home, or provide some extra gifts and treats for a child on the ward.

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Facing a diagnosis of childhood cancer is unimaginably difficult at any time, but as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, it has been even harder for families during recent months. Laura is Mum to two-year-old Hattie, who was diagnosed with a mediastinal (chest) germ cell tumour in May 2020.

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‘Symptoms began to show around 2-3 weeks before Hattie’s diagnosis. She had temperatures similar to that shown when teething or with a viral infection. When they continued for longer than two weeks and Hattie began to lack energy and lose weight quite quickly, we took her to the doctors to be checked over. 

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She was initially given antibiotics for a mild chest infection. After four days of antibiotics, no change to symptoms and another trip to the doctors, we were sent to A&E as a precaution to have a full check-over. It was here that we discovered Hattie’s tumour, after X-rays and ultrasounds by the amazing doctors and nurses at the LGI. Hattie’s tumour was pressing on her heart and she became really unwell, quite rapidly.

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 She was diagnosed on the Tuesday and was receiving emergency chemotherapy by the Friday. She is undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy and this will most likely be followed by surgery. She is reacting really well to the treatment and taking it all in her stride – a real-life superstar. 

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 A shock diagnosis for any parent is always difficult and a feeling that can’t be explained but this was made even harder in the middle of lockdown, with only one parent allowed to stay with Hattie. We also have a four-year-old daughter who was unable to see her sister throughout her stay in hospital.‘ 

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With this support from The Susie P Charitable Foundation, we can ensure 20 families just like Hattie’s are not facing this time alone, and make this incredibly difficult time a little easier.

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