Gold Ribbon Conversations

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

This episode talks about relapse and the heartbreak of having to fight again.
Kate Healy joins me to talk about her son Sean who is now 18.
In 2018 Sean was diagnosed with leukaemia and relapsed in 2019,
Following a bone marrow transplant in 2020 he finally began his journey back to health.

They have been through a lot as a family over the last few years and Kate shares her own story and recent breast cancer diagnosis.

We talk about the realities of being a working mother and the pressure and guilt that builds up, the role of listening to your instincts, you know your child.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on 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.
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.

Joining us today to share her son’s Samuels story is Louise Kinlen.
Samuel was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia shortly before his fifth birthday. He underwent more than three years of chemotherapy at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, after which he was able to resume the life of a typical, active, eight-year-old. In December 2019, Samuel suddenly and unexpectedly relapsed. He died three days later.

But here we want to talk about and remember the person he was and the legacy he has left on them as a family and his friends. Louise also shares the supports she leaned on in those earlier years, the role Anam Cara has played and words of compassion for any parent experiencing the grief and loss of a child.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on 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 today’s episode, we are joined by Ciarán Madigan to talk about his son Ricardo's ALL diagnosis at just 6 months old and the challenges that followed.
Ricardo had a cough, and because it was the 23rd of December, his parents made the intuitive decision to go directly to the hospital instead of trying to get a GP, a decision that meant Ricardo’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery could start as quickly as possible.

But not long after diagnosis, Ricardo became very ill with pneumonia, sepsis and a long stay in ICU.
With nothing working Ricardo was airlifted to Stockholm for a treatment called ECMO, which saved his life.

We talk about symptoms, diagnosis and recovery, highlighting the importance of intuition, community, support and mental health.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on 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 today’s episode we are joined by Sarah Dunne, a young woman who has battled cancer not once but twice.
Sarah was first diagnosed with leukaemia when she was 13.
Treatment was incredibly tough but successful - however what followed was almost harder as her immune system suppression caused a critical infection into her lungs.
Just as she was coming to the other side of this journey, back on her feet, in college studying special needs nursing and loving life she began to experience some new symptoms.
With a history of MS in the family she was sent for a neurological assessment where her bloods indicated a cancer had returned - more treatment, more missed experiences, more fatigue and anxiety but earlier this year Sarah got the good news she needed to hear, her cancer blasts were gone and she can plan for her future again.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on 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.

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.

Lyndsey McKenna joins us to talk about her little man, Fionn.
Fionn was two and a half when he passed away 10 months after being diagnosed with Leukaemia.
His little body couldn’t do anymore but his life, and legacy certainly will.
Lyndsey with love and pride shares his story with us, from symptoms and diagnosis, to being cherished during every minute of the end.
We talk about grief and disbelief, how her circle have supported her and Fionn’s dad Jay and how their second son Tiernan will always be aware of his amazing big brother the signs Fionn leaves for them all
Some words that helped on the hardest of days and how important it is to give parents the space to talk about the children they’ll always love.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on 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.