A diagnosis of childhood, adolescent or young adult cancer can leave families reeling financially, as well as emotionally. On top of dealing with the initial shock of the diagnosis and the fear of what’s ahead, one parent may need to take a step back from work at short notice, leaving the family on a reduced income at a time when you’re facing the additional costs associated with treatment, such as travel, accommodation, food and childcare, among others.
It can be difficult to navigate your way through the assistance that is available to families during treatment or to figure out what financial products (such as insurance) you may have yourself that could help.
Financial advice and information
Childhood Cancer Ireland is delighted to partner with LIA, the Centre of Excellence for the education and development of financial professionals, to offer access to financial advice and information for families both during and after treatment.
What’s available:
- Webinar series
- Access to 1-1 financial planning with a Qualified Financial Planner
Webinars – Financial Pathways through Childhood Cancer
We recently held a series of webinars that will help you manage your finances, both during and after treatment.
Financial Pathways through Childhood Cancer – Part
- Specialised financial knowledge from LIA experts
- Budgeting and cashflow management in crisis
- Claiming entitlements, grants and benefits
Financial Pathways through Childhood Cancer – Part 2
- Rebuilding your financial security after treatment – family financial planning
- Long-term financial planning for survivors (including the Right to be Forgotten)
- Guardianship arrangements and estate planning for parents of children with long-term care
We were joined on both webinars by Mark Hedderman, LIA and CEO of Hedderman Financial Solutions (HFS). Stephanie O’Brien, Senior Social Worker with CHI at Crumlin, joined the first webinar.
Mark is an accomplished financial professional with over a decade of experience and CEO of Hedderman Financial Solutions (HFS). Mark is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA), as well as being actively involved in the financial planning community. He serves as a director of the Financial Planners of Ireland, a prominent membership and advocacy body for CFP professionals in Ireland.
Stephanie has been a social worker for over 19 years, initially in community child protection and then in Medical Social Work, mainly in paediatric settings. Stephanie’s own area of interest includes therapeutic work with children and families, especially in the area of loss and she has additional qualifications in Children’s Loss and Play Therapy. Her current role is to provide emotional and practical support to children with a cancer diagnosis and their families. A systemic approach is taken to work holistically with children and their families, with interventions based on multi perspective social work approaches whilst using the principles of trauma-informed care. Families are very much seen as being experts in their own lives.
Access Recordings
Recordings of these webinars are available on request. Please contact us on [email protected] to receive access.
Access to Financial Planning
Through our Financial Support Programme, in partnership with LIA, we can provide access to individual advice in a 1-1 session with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help to examine your current financial situation, look through any policies you have that may be of help in the short term, offer specialist advice with budgeting and money management in both the short and long term and start to look at longer term planning for your family.
How does it work?
LIA, through their volunteer programme, have a network of qualified financial advisors who can work with families to provide this service. We will match you with a financial advisor in your area. This is free of charge, non judgmental and entirely confidential between you and your financial advisor.
How to access?
If you would like to access this 1-1 support please complete this form and we will be in touch.
