Parent Peer Support

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Parent Peer Support

This evidence-based programme connects parents or adult family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents) with a trained, volunteer Peer Supporter to help you navigate through your child or young person’s cancer and beyond.

This programme is about connection at a time when parents need it most. Our Parent Peer Supporters will provide an empathetic, compassionate, and friendly source of support, as well as sharing practical knowledge on the supports and services that might be helpful.

"It's so helpful to feel that somebody knows what you've been through or are going through, there's such solidarity in that. It was my lifeline through treatment and into recovery."

“The peer support programme at Childhood Cancer Ireland helped me at a time when I felt stuck in the weeds of cancer and wasn’t sure whether or how I would climb my way back out. "

“Having someone at the end of the phone who had been through a childhood cancer diagnosis and understood what I was going through was invaluable. "

“While no one can remove the uncertainty and fear that comes with cancer, the peer support programme definitely eased the isolation you can feel as a parent. I will forever be grateful to my peer supporter who was there for me as I slowly healed and began to navigate my way back into life."

Meet some of our peer supporters:

Laura Cullinan

Laura found the experience of having a child with cancer very isolating, not only because of long hospital stays in Crumlin and a shared care hospital, but also because of the real lack of awareness and understanding on the true impact of her daughter’s diagnosis and treatment on the whole family.

Laura trained as a parent peer supporter to offer parents a safe, trusted space where they can share and be heard by someone who really understands. If there’s one message, she wants parents to know, it’s there is someone who understands, who will listen, and who will walk beside you, you are not alone. 

Lucy Cronly

As a parent on St. John’s ward, Lucy found information from other parents so helpful when her son was sick; she also found great solace in talking with another parent who understood the journey.

By understanding and accessing the education supports and accommodations her son was entitled to, he sat the Leaving Cert and finished college in 2025, despite many health setbacks and adverse side effects from treatment.

Lucy trained as a parent peer supporter with to offer support to other parents on their journey. She is a huge advocate for sharing information and empathy.

Mary-Claire Rennick

Supporting a young child through such a difficult illness can be a very daunting and lonely experience for any parent. We have to navigate through the emotional ups and downs of our child’s  treatment while at the same time continuing with all the other demands of home, work and family life. It can be overwhelming.

Looking back, I would have been so grateful to receive contact, information and support from another parent who had experience of a child’s cancer. It simply wasn’t there. I am very happy to have completed the training and to be able to offer my support to other parents.

Patricia McColgan

Patricia’s son was in isolation for most of his treatment, so he didn’t get to meet any other young people in Crumlin, nor did his family get to interact with other families and that made the journey all the more difficult.  A friend put them in contact with another parent whose son had been through cancer.  Having someone to connect with who understood their struggles – another parent with firsthand experience – provided a real lifeline.   Sharing experiences, whether through laughter, tears, or simply understanding, made a world of difference in coping with such a tough situation and Patricia is honoured to be part of the parent peer support programme to help other parents.

Siobhan Deane

Siobhan is passionate about making the world a better place one day at a time. When cancer came to my family I felt so alone, even surrounded by people. I want to help make it different for other families.