Support During Relapse or Recurrence
When a child or young person experiences a relapse or recurrence of cancer, the journey becomes even more challenging – physically, emotionally, and financially. At Childhood Cancer Ireland, we understand the often-overwhelming needs of families facing a return to treatment.
We offer tailored emotional support, information and signposting and connection with others who understand through counselling, play therapy, peer support and financial assistance.
Information and signposting
We can support you by signposting you to and even making a referral (with your permission) to other supports and services that may be of interest to you and your family as you navigate these new circumstances of relapse or recurrence.
Parent peer support
This evidence-based programme connects parents 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 you 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 as you navigate the return to treatment.
Support is offered over the phone and by text.
Individual psychological support / counselling
We recognise that a relapse or recurrence of childhood, adolescent or young adult cancer can be an overwhelming experience for the whole family. We provide tailored one-to-one (online) psychological support and counselling specifically for families facing a relapse or recurrence, including parents, siblings, and young people themselves. This support can help families begin to process the complex emotions that come with relapse, including fear, uncertainty, anger and grief.
Our goal is to ensure that families have access to specialised, high-quality psychological care, tailored to their individual needs as they navigate the emotional toll of uncertainty and fear during this time.
In addition to our direct support, we can also connect families with experienced and trusted services in their local area, offering a broader network of care.
Play therapy / psychotherapy
We provide children, adolescents and siblings with a safe and therapeutic environment to express their emotions and process the complex experiences associated with a cancer diagnosis and the experience of relapse or recurrence.
For children, play is a powerful tool for coping with stress, fear and anxiety, allowing them to navigate their emotions through play, creative expression, and age-appropriate therapeutic interventions.
For adolescents and young adults, the approach adapts to their developmental needs, offering therapeutic activities that encourage self-expression, emotional processing, and connection in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their age group.
Through our network of qualified and experienced play therapists and child and adolescent psychotherapists, we can connect you the right support in your community.
Recognising that not all children require direct therapeutic intervention, we also offer Parent Advice Sessions, which helps to guide parents through effectively engaging with and supporting your children.
Financial support during relapse or recurrence
We provide a grant for families experiencing a relapse and/or recurrence of their child’s cancer.
- This is a one-off grant of €1,000
- It is not means tested
- You may also have received grants from other charities
Referrals can be made by by:
- Hospital or community-based Medical Social Workers
- Consultants or treating clinicians in paediatric or adolescent oncology/haematology
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) or Nurse Coordinators
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Relapse Grant:
- The patient must be under 24 years old at the time of relapse.
- The patient must have received a confirmed diagnosis of a relapse of initial childhood cancer diagnosis.
While referral for this grant must be made by a member of your child’s medical or social work team, you can complete the form below as the first step.