Children's cancer supports

Across the country, the Irish Cancer Society works with cancer support centres to help provide services and support for children and adolescents with a cancer diagnosis. Many offer counselling services, creative therapies and practical support  for those affected and their families.

Creative therapies 

Play, art and music therapy help children work through emotional, social and behavioural difficulties from cancer. Using the mediums of play, art and music, rather than talk, can help the child learn to express themselves, explore and make sense of the world in which they live and resolve any difficult or painful experiences. Creative therapy may be beneficial for people who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally.

Who is this therapy for?

• Children and adolescents with a  cancer diagnosis
• Family members, including brothers and sisters of young people with cancer

Counselling service

Talking to someone confidentially to discuss a difficulty in your life can be a real help as you go through your cancer journey. Children and adolescents and their loved ones can get free one-to-one counselling at affiliated cancer support centres, funded by the Irish Cancer Society. 

Who is the counselling service for?

 The counselling service is available for:

• Children and adolescents who have had a cancer diagnosis
• Family members, including brothers and sisters of young people with cancer
• Carers, teachers and friends

Practical support

Families affected by childhood cancer are supported by giving them access to professional service providers.

By availing of these services, families find they have more precious time to spend with their children rather than trying to keep on top of household chores.

Climb programme

CLIMB® - Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery

CLIMB® is a support programme for children aged 5-12 who are experiencing the impact of a cancer diagnosis of a parent, brother or sister, member of extended family or other significant adult.

The programme runs over 6 weeks, where specially trained staff helping children demystify cancer and learn coping skills through therapeutic art and play to express their feelings and emotions.

CLIMB® programme helps children:

• Understand cancer by providing information and dispelling myths
• Learn how  to express and cope with feelings and emotions associated with cancer
• Feel part of a social group by making friends with other children through a shared experience
• Develop skills to cope with the dramatic changes they are witnessing and experiencing in the family  

The National Cancer Control Programme Survivorship team now co-ordinates the delivery of the CLIMB programme and works with cancer support centres and hospitals throughout the country to facilitate the programme and to expand its delivery.

Contact your local cancer support centre for more information.