Niamh Forrester & Team Gavin Glynn

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Yvonne Shannon as she shares her daughter Ruby’s incredible recovery from a grade 4 brain tumour, diagnosed when she was just 2 and a half. Ruby is nearly 11 now and loving life, growing up fast and nothing is holding her back after a huge fight against childhood cancer.A CT scan found her tumour which kick started a journey of surgery, chemo, stem cell transplant and  at the very end, septicaemia left her in ICU for 14 days. As Yvonne describes. She is a miracle child.We talk about her illness, the team that saved her and the legacy of trauma. Play therapy and attending Childhood Cancer Ireland’s Parents workshops and working with our Principal Psychologist Mairead Brennan have given them both a new future where they can heal and look forward. 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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.While this conversation is essential for families who have experienced this grief, it may be understandably upsetting and so we encourage you to protect your emotional wellbeing. You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports in the show notes and on childhoodcancer.ie *Lauren McCormick joins me in this episode to share with us her wonderful daughter Aaliyah.Aaliyah was diagnosed with DIPG a brain tumour in 2021 and passed away a little more than a year later. We talk about the symptoms that brought Aaliyah's diagnosis, her courage and light, how together Lauren and Aaliyah’s dad Karl protected and minded each other and what they have learned about grief and hope and living without their little girl.  And it's been through active support like counselling or tapping into a spiritual connection with Aaliyah that has brought them some comfort and a way to live through each bad day together. 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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Elaine Crowley as she shares her son Beau’s story of being diagnosed with ALL in Feb 2024 when he was 2 and a half. He was quite well before his diagnosis but pale and so for Elaine and her family leukaemia really was a shock. We talk about the impact of Beau’s treatment on him and their normality at home. As the youngest of 3 boys the house became a lot quieter, like the fun had been dialled right down but play therapy has been a huge support.  As was attending Childhood Cancer Irelands free parent workshops as Elaine and Brian could connect with other families voicing similar thoughts and the advice given by our psychologists was practical and easy to implement in the real world. The workshops are aimed at parents / guardians of children, adolescents or young adults who have received a diagnosis of childhood cancer and facilitated by Principal Clinical Psychologist  Mairead Brennan and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist & Play Therapist Debbie Cullinane. To find out more and book your place in our Parent Workshops - click HEREPlease 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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.On this episode I’m joined by Niamh Hurley Forrester as she takes us through the story of her son Josh’s diagnosis, treatment and how their experience led her to forming a team of Aer Lingus volunteers that support families travelling for treatment. Josh was 3 when he was diagnosed with a Rhabdoid Tumour in 2019 and is doing really well now. This cancer is rare but their team had hope that it could be treated with high dose chemo surgery and proton radiation in Germany. Niamh has worked with Aer Lingus for many years and travelling was her life - and yet, this travel and the stress it brought opened her eyes to the experiences of many who must pass through our airports.   After she received the support of the Gavin Glynn Foundation who took care of what they needed to get to Germany she knew she wanted to do something more to help families - which led her to forming Team Gavin Glynn, a Volunteer Group in Aer Lingus who donate their time to taking families through the airport. She now has 100 volunteers who help families on their days off. They meet them at the entrance, take them through check in, security etc, take them for a coffee and make their journey as smooth as possible and run fundraising initiatives. 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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Toni Bell Doyle as she shares her experience of being the big sister to her brother fighting childhood cancer.Her brother Blaine is 17 and was first diagnosed at 12 - during covid which was difficult as a family of 6 who couldn’t visit and be together. Blaine is now being treated in an adult hospital and it's a different experience as they are all able to go in. Toni is the eldest and took on a very caring role and explains how everyone in the family experienced it differently. We talk about the impact of a diagnosis on siblings, the concern and worry they carry - how they miss their parents time and attention and how important it is that the wider network check on their wellbeing too But we also talk about how important they can be in bringing life and hope and a bit of healthy slagging back in to the family when things might feel dark. 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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.To begin our 2025 Season we have the remarkable Irish Paediatric Oncologist - Dr. Trish ScanlanTrish is the Interim Director of Global Health at Childrens Health Ireland. She is the CEO of charity - “Their Lives Matter” a group of charities based in Tanzania, Ireland & UK with the united aim to reach every child in Tanzania who develops cancer. And she is Co Medical Director of Children not Numbers a multi disciplinary team of experts dedicated to improving the lives of children in Gaza through a comprehensive approach to health, safety, education, and rehabilitation. and most recently, Dr Trish as paediatric lead supported the evacuation of children to Ireland for healthcare.We talk about what first brought her to Tanzania, how 10 children a day developed cancer with 9 out of 10 of these children losing their battle to Today when the survival rate is now 50%.She shares her commitment to fighting for the paediatric care of children, and her optimism for what’s now possible when fighting childhood cancer.  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. Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.For the final episode of the year, I am joined by Eoin Cronly and his mother Lucy.  Eoin is now 22 and was diagnosed with Leukaemia when he was 11 followed by, as he explains, every rare complication he could think of. He missed out on a lot of school and was healthy enough to return just as lockdown happened. But by understanding the accommodations he was entitled to, he sat the leaving cert and is now well on his way to finishing college - despite many health set backs and adverse side effects to steroid treatments.Lucy was with him throughout and has trained as a parent peer supporter with Childhood Cancer Ireland to be able to offer support to other parents and is a huge advocate for sharing information and empathy. 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Erin Tierney was only 22 and in her final year in college when she got pregnant with her first baby, Córa.  At 7 months, unexpectedly, Córa was diagnosed with with a rare & aggressive embryonal tumour with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) in her brain and spinal cord. Córa lived for another 10 days. The shock and grief of this sudden diagnosis and loss shatterd Erin, Conor and their families. And in the years since have found the strength to keep going. Baby Florence arrived a couple of months ago and the Córa Rose Foundation has been set up to support bereaved parents. This is heartbreaking but Erin's courage and compassion is a gift to everyone who listens. You can read Córa's story here https://childhoodcancer.ie/story/cora-rose-tierney-donoghue/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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.Christmas is on it’s way - which can bring some light and hope but also some sorrow, grief and overwhelm for others. Joining me this week is Dr. Mairéad Brennan our Principal Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychosocial Services at Childhood Cancer Ireland for an episode designed to support you over the next few weeks. We understand that If their child is sick at home or sick in hospital, normal Christmas plans can be thrown into chaos.You may feel pressure or the want to keep up traditions and fight against it just not being possible this year.Mairead offers some strategies to help you this Christmas.We hope this episode offers you some compassion and support - for more please get in touch with us at [email protected] help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Naomi Algeo, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in Cancer Services with  St. James's HospitalDr. Naomi is also an Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin and her clinical academic role is funded by the Irish Cancer Society.Her research tries to identify the needs of adolescents and young adults as they return to school, education or work after cancer. Naomi has a special interest in understanding the needs of leaving cert students and she is recruiting this age group to take part in a study to understand what impacts their return to education, work, friend groups and life again. To take part in this study please contact [email protected] help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.