The C Tea

In this final episode of the series, I’m joined by Andrew, Policy and Public Affairs Officer for the Devolved Nations at Young Lives vs Cancer. Together, we explore the financial pressures faced by families of children and young people with cancer in Northern Ireland- focusing in particular on the urgent need for a dedicated travel fund. The UK Government has announced plans for a young person's c...

In this episode, Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer is joined by Ellyn and Eden, both former members of Cancer Fund for Children’s Youth Engagement Group, along with Joanna, a Youth Engagement Worker with the charity. Together, we explore how the Youth Engagement Group empowers young people to influence decisions, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change around the impact of cancer. This convers...

In this podcast we are celebrating 10 years of our Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home Amy's House, Belfast. You can learn more about our accommodation service by listening to this episode or visiting our website here. A special mention to the charity Love Amy. You can visit their website , or on Facebook to learn more about this wonderful charity and their 'Smile Grants'. If you’d like to get in...

In this podcast Helen and I talking to Sinead and Gina about their first time sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Sinead and Gina were both diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in their early 20s and both were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker Sile who encouraged them to give sailing a go through the Trust. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a UK-based national charity w...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses the death of a young person from cancer which you may find upsetting or distressing In this podcast Silé and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer take over from Laura and Helen to speak to Maciej. Maciej fell in love with Aga while she was receiving treatment for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Aga unfortunately died from a rare condition called Bloom Syndrome. Maciej t...

In this special episode Lily from Cancer Fund for Children and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer talk to Viktorija who is 23 years old and has been supported by Lily and Cancer Fund for Children in Dublin. Viktorija was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in August 2022 which has spread to her lungs, liver, and pelvis. She shares the importance of staying positive and surrounding oneself with s...

In this episode we talk to Ryan and Rachael who have become fierce friends thanks to a residential in Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge. While there cancer diagnosis was different (Ryan was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Rachael was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma brain tumour), we spend some time chatting about their diagnosis and treatment, what Radiotherapy is like, and what life has...

Welcome to S4 of the C Tea! In this feel-good and heartwarming episode, we’re joined by two absolute legends—Jake and Ella—who know a thing or two about what it means to be a sibling of someone diagnosed with cancer. Ella’s sister Phoebe was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Jake’s little sister (also called Ella!) faced a brain tumour diagnosis. They sit down with Simon and Helen to spill th...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Donna and Aileen who both had daughters diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 15 years old and were treated in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. They talk about what it was like to raise teenagers with cancer, supporting siblings, motherhood, life after treatment, and the joy of meeting oth...

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Daniel a 28-year-old residential social worker. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 16, Daniel shares his journey from a healthy teenager to a cancer survivor and how it inspire...

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode the tables turn and Josie interviews Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer. With 13 years of experience, Simon shares his passion for supporting young people and families affected by cancer. Simon chats about balancing his man...

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Josie who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in her early 20s but is now a qualified social worker working in Northern Ireland. Josie chats passionately about her career,...

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Cathie who had thyroid cancer as a teenager but is now a qualified social worker working in residential care. Cathie talks about her initial impression of Simon and how ultimatel...

Happy 2025! In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children chat to the wonderful Keira and Sophie. Keira was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) when she was 14 years old. Sophie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 11 years old. After meeting at a Cancer Fund for Children residential they have become fierce...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Luci who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 15 years old. Luci talks about what led up to her diagnosis, her treatment in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, and what life has been like since treatment finished. Enjoy! Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for fund...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Abbey who was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in her left food when she was 17 years old. Abbey’s treatment was an amputation of her foot below the knee so this podcast talks about that surgery, recovery and the process of getting a prosthesis. This is an episode full of lots of laughter and funny sto...

It’s UCAS season again!! In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland talks about all things cancer and UCAS- if you’re currently in school and completing your application … or maybe you’ve taken a few years out for treatment or to work this podcast might be a helpful starting point when it comes to disclosing your diagnosis to UCAS and universities. We are also joined by C...

Happy International Friendship Day! In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland and her friend of 20 years Erin have come together to answer your anonymous agony aunt questions about all things cancer and friendship with some helpful advice and reflections from Olaf, Mark, Judith and Holly as well who have all been supported by Young Lives vs Cancer. In this podcast we ref...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer chats with Lana and Kerrie about cancer related fatigue. Here are some links to the external charities/organisations who may be able to support you with your fatigue or provide more information:   Macmillan Coping with Fatigue (tiredness) Booklet    Helping Children and Young People Live Well with Cancer Related Fatigue information webinar from the...

Sorry for the audio quality in this podcast! We recommend listening with headphones.   In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children chat with Gareth who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Lauren with Leukaemia and Lee with . All of them had stem cell transplant as part of their treatment but as you'll hear the impact on them in terms of treatment and...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children chat with Maddie and Finn who were diagnosed with Melanoma. They discuss what let them to diagnosis, their symptoms, treatment and lasting effects. They also discuss the power of friendships and meeting other people diagnosed with the same cancer as you.  If you’d like to read more about Melanoma you can do on...

In this podcast Helen and Conor from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Connor about his experience of diagnosis and treatment for Leukaemia. He discusses the events that led to his diagnosis, how gaming helped him through his time in hospital and the unwavering support from his family.   Cancer Fund for Children are working to build a Youth Engagement Group to ensure the voice of children and youn...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Leah, Danni and Annaliese about their very individual experiences of diagnosis and treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. They discuss symptoms before diagnosis, treatment and reactions from friends and family.   You can read more about thyroid cancer on the Young Lives vs Cancer website here . Annal...

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Simon and Miranda about their son Ozzie who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia when he was 15 years old and sadly died in 2020. They discuss parenting through cancer and into bereavement and beyond. Please note this podcast is about the death of a child, which you may find upsetting or distres...

This podcast is a conversation between Kathleen and Mise talking about motherhood before, during, and after cancer treatment. The last 15(ish) minutes of the podcast feature a fertility Q&A with Lisa Callendar Teenage Cancer Trust Clinical Nurse Specialist from the Ulster Hospital in Northern Ireland.   For anyone diagnosed with cancer while pregnant or within 12 months after giving birth  Mummy’s...