Gold Ribbon Conversations

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.For our final episode of 2025, we are joined by Lawrence Kiernan whose 18 month old son LJ became unwell and was taken to hospital on Christmas eve 2 years ago. That Christmas, LJ was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.Thankfully through diagnosis, ICU, surgery, chemo, life support and 18 months of treatment, LJ now 3 and a half is looking forward to celebrating a very different Christmas this year in remission. We talk about what led to that diagnosis, the shock and having to accept for some questions like WHY there are no answers, how important it is as parents to build trust with your team while advocating at every step for the child you know better than anyone. What they leant upon on those dark days and the gratitude they have that despite everything that has been thrown at their little boy - he is here, they are together and full of hope for the years ahead. 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.Joining me today is Ciara, a young woman diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last year when she was 23. Ciara finished her treatment just over 6 months ago and the road ahead is bright. We talk about how important it is to react when we notice something different in our bodies.Ciara had no symptoms when she found a lump on her neck but she didn’t wait and was diagnosed very quickly.We talk about the challenges as a young adult at the start of a career path and independence and being vulnerable again, and needing more help than anyone might like. The fatigue, the loneliness and boredom that can come with this unwelcome life interruption. She shares how she tried to hold on to her identity but also how ultimately a huge support was connecting with other survivors her age who understands the road she’s walking. By joining us today she is hoping that the podcast will help people to understand what survivors go through. 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.Joining me this week is Professor Jonathan Bond, a UCD Professor of Paediatric Molecular Haemato-Oncology and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Haematologist at Children's Health Ireland Crumlin.Throughout his career Jonathon has seen huge advances through research. He attended the Institute of Child Health in the UK and was a full time researcher in France for 6 years, looking at genetics in leukaemia. Today we are so fortunate to have his knowledge with Systems Biology Ireland in UCD.Here we talk about the latest advancements in fighting cancer, turning information into knowledge, minimising after affects and looking at treatments at an individual level supported by AI. This episode offers hope and deep gratitude to the people who have dedicated their careers to finding answers, advancements and treatments that save lives.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.No family ever expects a Childhood Cancer diagnosis to arrive at their door - nor do they anticipate the reality of figuring out their family finances when one or all parents have to step away from paid employment.It’s a reality for the familys we support at Childhood Cancer Ireland which is why we are so proud to partner with the LIA the Centre of Excellence for the Education and Development of Finance Professionals who volunteer their time with our financial advice programme. Joining me on this podcast is Joanne Keane, CEO of the LIA and Richard Ferris, a financial advisor and volunteer with this programme but who is also a parent who understands exactly what you are going through as his daughter Ella-May was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at just 18 months old. Here they share more about the programme which provides free expert financial advice to families fighting childhood cancer - how normal it is to not know where you stand with your personal financial policies or employer schemes and how having an expert think clearly for you in this moment is such a huge support. And Richard shares his own story as a parent in this situation - why he is giving his time to help others going through this now and gives us all so much hope as his daughter is well, life kept going and their stability returned. If you want support through the Gold Ribbon Volunteer programme click hereAre you a financial professional who wishes to join us as a volunteer email us at  financialsupport@childhoodcancer.ie 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 a Ella Farrell, a young woman who is beginning to reflect on the last year and how cancer interrupted her life without warning. Ella is 21 and in December 2023 when she was in her final semester of Galway University she began to have headaches. Ella received a lot of reassurance that her headaches were nothing to worry about but after a consult with a migraine physio who identified some red flags and ordered a scan, Ella’s Grade 4 medullablastoma brain tumour was found. The trauma of this news is impossible to understand, but in Ella’s case there are many things she talks about which could have been handled differently to minimise her distress. We talk about her diagnosis, travelling to Germany for treatment, hair loss and mobility issues and figuring out what now - and how to renavigate her life in her twenties. 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.Mom to triplet boys Lindsay Harrison joins me in this episode as she shares her son Joshua’s story of Ewings Sarcoma. Joshua and his brothers were all born prematurely, Joshua the smallest of them all. He has had to fight his whole life to be here and while his parents fought along side him with different challenges, nobody could have anticipated childhood cancer.He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer after developing a rash when he was 9 and they were referred to a dermatologist when it wouldn’t clear up and needed a full year of chemotherapy treatment. They became 2 separate families with Lindsay and Joshua in hospital and Justin and their other two boys at home, work and school - with all 3 boys handling this new reality differently. We talk about the diagnosis, his treatment and how as an autistic child he found it all so overwhelming. We also talk about the supports and how as a family they coped, the value of peer to peer support  and the real impact on a parents nervous system during and most importantly after treatment ends. Childhood Cancer Ireland and our clinicial Psychologist Dr. Mairead Brennan can be a huge help to families. 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.May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Brain tumours are the second most common cause of cancer in children in Ireland. Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing. 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.ieOrna Brennan was working a neurosurgical nurse in Temple Street on St. Gabriel's Ward (the brain tumour ward) when she became a mam and had her son Séimí in 2014. She said goodbye to all her colleagues assuming she wouldnt see them while on maternity leave but when Séimí was 2 months old, Orna noticed that he was making funny eye movements, ones she recognised from work. While in for an MRI Orna knew something was wrong because of how quickly everything was happening and they were told they found a tumour Shunts, surgeries, a stroke while in theatre with left side paralysis, then meningitis all before his first birthday and still 'Séimí bounced back each time.  But in 2017 a new cancer in his cerebospinal fluid changed everything and with a little life of 3 years and 3 months, 'Séimí passed away at home with Orna and his dad Dave by his side. Séimí's fought for his whole life - but his cancer was not who he was.As Orna takes us through - he was a big brother, a best pal, he brought sunshine to the ward with his 'Séimí shuffle and he was brave beyond measure and left his mark on their family and the team on St. Gabriels Ward. 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.