Supporting families dealing with childhood cancer

TO MARK International Childhood Cancer Day, held on February 15, LIA announced details of a collaboration with Childhood Cancer Ireland. 

The collaboration will see members of LIA, recognised as the centre of excellence for the education and development of finance professionals, volunteer their financial expertise to support families facing the financial challenges that a diagnosis of childhood cancer brings.

At the announcement was young 13-year-old Jack Skelly who has leukaemia along with his mother Emma were on hand to support the event as they have been supported by Childhood Cancer Ireland throughout their cancer journey.

Jack is currently in treatment for leukaemia, and has six months of treatment left.

In Ireland an average of 353 children and young adults aged 0-24 are newly diagnosed with childhood cancer every year.

This equates to seven families receiving a devastating diagnosis of childhood cancer every week.

While the families primary focus is on the treatment and recovery of their child, significant additional stresses are brought about by the financial impacts resulting from the need to treat and care for their child, including medical, counselling, physiotherapy and other related costs, together with the potential loss of one parent’s income as they care for their child.

With this in mind, and to coincide with International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15, LIA is announcing details of a unique partnership being launched with Childhood Cancer Ireland, that will see LIA members volunteer their financial expertise, as part of their Gold Ribbon Volunteering Programme.

This initiative matches the specialised financial planning and advisory skills of LIA members with the needs of families grappling with the financial challenges that a diagnosis of childhood cancer brings.

It aims to make a meaningful impact to the financial position of families affected by childhood cancer, through expert financial guidance and support, provided by LIA volunteers.

Laura Cullinan, CEO of Childhood Cancer Ireland, explained the financial implications on affected families; “A diagnosis of cancer in a child often leads to a reduction in the family’s average income due to the loss of one income earner’s contribution.

“Although cancer treatments for young patients are provided at no cost in Ireland, these families still encounter substantial additional expenses including medications, counselling, play therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, placing a considerable financial burden on them.”

LIA, recognised as the centre of excellence for the education and development of Finance Professionals, has recognised these financial strains.

Through this new partnership, LIA members holding the QFA or CFP professional designations, can volunteer to either provide critical financial planning advice and support to families in need to help them better manage their financial situation during and after treatment; or to participate as a speaker at any number of regional parent and survivor workshops to share their knowledge and expertise.

Joanne Keane, CEO & Executive Director of LIA, said “The decision to partner with Childhood Cancer Ireland was an easy one.

Too many young children are still being diagnosed with cancer on a weekly basis and Childhood Cancer Ireland provides unwavering support to them and their families throughout this difficult time.

The impact of such a diagnosis is wide reaching, and the ability of families to keep their head above water financially can be a real challenge.

“LIA’s community of members, as qualified finance professionals, are ideally equipped to ease the burden placed on affected families, by giving of their time, on a voluntary basis, to assist them navigate the financial challenges as they arise and to support them, so that they can look forward to a financially secure future.

“We look forward to supporting the work of Childhood Cancer Ireland into the future.”

Childhood Cancer Ireland, founded in 2013, is the national parent and survivor-led charity representing the voice of children and young people with cancer, survivors and their families.

Helping to ease the burden of diagnosis and treatment on children and their families, Childhood Cancer Ireland provides practical and emotional support throughout the journey.

Learn more on the LIA and Childhood Cancer Ireland websites.