Gimme 5 Interviews: Q Radio chats to local families who have been affected by cancer

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Read Karen Brown's Story 

  • Baby Tom was not even 12 hours old when he was transferred to the neo-natal ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital where he stayed for 4 weeks. It was whilst they were there that the family were told that Tom had neuroblastoma.
  • When Tom started treatment, the family said it robbed them of a normal family life. Mum Karen describes it as a rollercoaster you can’t get off.
     
  • Cancer Fund for Children supported the family through a range of support including one-to-one support, financial support as well as free therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge.
     
  • Tom had 6 cycles of chemotherapy in total, and thankfully has responded well to treatment. Doctors are happy with his progress and are continuing to monitor him closely.

Listen back to Karen's interview on Q Radio

Read Megan's story

  • 24 year old Megan from Cookstown was diagnosed with cancer in April 2014. After a trip to the doctors in the morning, Megan was rushed to hospital, and was getting chemotherapy by 2pm that afternoon.
  • Megan spent almost a whole year in hospital getting treatment for her cancer, and was in isolation for most of that time.
  • As part of her treatment, Megan had to spend three months in London undergoing a new treatment. Thankfully it worked and Megan went in to remission, meaning she was well enough to get a bone marrow transplant.
  • Megan’s family benefitted from financial support from Cancer Fund for Children, receiving a grant to help with the cost of travelling to hospital, and to London for treatment.
  • Megan also got to go to Daisy Lodge and spend time with other young people going through the same thing as her.

Listen back to Megan's interview on Q Radio

Read Noel's Story

  • Noel Nash’s son Rhys was diagnosed with cancer in October 2014 when he was just three years old.
  • Rhys had to go to Newcastle in England for six courses of specialist cancer treatment, meaning he was separated from his twin brother Cein and other family members numerous times.
  • The Nash family received a grant from Cancer Fund for Children, to help them cope with the financial impact of having to travel back and forth to England for Rhys’ cancer treatment.
  • Noel said that without this financial support, they wouldn’t have been able to cope.

Listen back to Noel's interview on Q Radio

Read Fidelma's story about her son Miceal

  • Micéal Murphy was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 14th May 2015, after taking a severe pain in his head en route to the Balmoral Show.
  • The whole family were totally devastated, especially Micéal’s three brothers, who he was very close to.
  • Unfortunately the family didn’t realise how rapid Micéal’s illness was, and sadly he never made it to Daisy Lodge, he passed away in September 2015.
  • However, the family have been able to benefit from bereavement support since Miceal’s passing, and have stayed at Daisy Lodge with other families who have also been bereaved.

Listen back to Fidelma's interview on Q Radio
 

To support local families affected by cancer, visit here or text FIVE to 87080 to sign up to donate £5 a month. 

A member of Cancer Fund for Children’s team will call you back to set up your monthly donation over the phone.


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