As Sorrelle fought her leukaemia we as a family were so grateful for any and all support, we knew as a family this battle could not be won alone.
We found that above all else “family was and is everything, together with friends they all form a crucial circle of support that you can lean on. One person alone cannot provide unlimited support, and it can make you ill if you try. Every person in your circle has a part to play and it is so important that you realise their role is not to cure the cancer, that is down to the science. You do find that there will be the joker, the doer, the thinker, the wise owl, the shoulder and so many more. The greatest advice I can give is this…… Be who you have always been !! That is what your family know and can rely on, I promise you, you will have a crucial part to play.
Then comes the very hospital you are in. Their professors, consultants, nurses, lab technicians, specialists and even the cleaners with their ready smiles greeting you in the morning….. lean on them all, ask them questions, and while doing all of this you try to do the most impossible thing……. remove emotion for that moment ! I as the family patriarch didn’t believe this possible, but it has to be in order to take on board critical information.
I hope this rambling helps you understand the reality of those initial days and weeks.
We have tried here to compile a list of website links around the UK that might offer the types of support that can be so very useful.
It is not an exhaustive list simply something to help your journey.
A final note…… If my family in any way can support, please reach out, we too are one of the websites you may find comfort in.
Maddi’s Butterflies www.maddisbutterflies.org.uk
Children with cancer www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk
Children’s cancer & Leukeamia group www.cclg.org.uk
Kids cancer charity www.kidscancercharity.org
Hope support services www.hopesupport.org.uk
Solving kids cancer www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk
Cancer support UK www.cancersupportuk.org
Together for short lives www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk
Macmillan cancer support www.macmillan.org.uk
Cancer research www.cancerresearchuk.org
Young lives vs cancer www.younglivesvcancer.org.uk
The Joshua tree www.thejoshuatree.org.uk
My shining star www.myshiningstar.co.uk
Lennox children cancer fund www.lennoxccf.org.uk
Camhs www.camhs.org.uk
The Osbourne trust www.theosbournetrust.com
Cancer care map www.cancercaremap.org
Greater Manchester cancer www.gmcancer.org.uk
Candlelighters www.candlelighters.org.uk
Shine www.shinecancersupport.org
Sarcoma UK www.sarcoma.org.uk
CCPA www.ccpa.org.uk
Maggies www.maggies.org
Teenage cancer trust www.teenagecancertrust.org
Teens Unite www.teensunite.org
Family fund www.familyfund.org.uk
The Bradley Lowery Foundation www.bradleyloweryfoundation.org
Beads of courage www.beadsofcourageuk.org
Little princess trust www.littleprincess.org.uk
Pyjama Faries www.pyjamafaries.org
Simpal www.yoursimpal.com
Whizz Kids www.whizz-kids.org.uk
Cancer fund for children (Ireland) www.cancerfundforchildren.com
Childrens cancer north www.childrenscancernorth.org.uk
Grace Kelly Childhood cancer trust www.gkcct.org
NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk
Rainbow trust childrens charity www.rainbowtrust.org.uk
Cancer card www.cancercard.org.uk
Carers UK www.carersuk.org
Thrive foundation www.thrivefoundation.org.uk
The Chartwell charities www.chartwellcancertrust.co.uk
Millys smiles www.millyssmiles.org
Manchester foundation trust charity www.mft.nhs.uk
Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital www.mft.nhs.uk
Leukaemia Care www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
Greater Manchester cancer alliance www.gmcancer.org.uk
The Cancer bank www.thecancerbank.co.uk
Bury cancer support www.burycancersupportcentre.co.uk
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children www.gosh.nhs.uk
Alder Hey Childrens Hospital www.alderhey.nhs.uk
Government support for travel costs Government to cover travel costs of children with cancer – GOV.UK
Royal Hospital for Children and Young People www.children.nhslothian.scot
Sheffield Childrens Hospital www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk
Evelina London Childrens hospital www.evelinalondon.nhs.uk
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children www.uhbristol.nhs.uk
Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital www.uhsussex.nhs.uk
Birmingham Childrens Hospital www.bwc.nhs.uk
Cancer Care www.cancercare.org.uk
The Bracken Trust www.brackentrust.org.uk
Callum’s Cabin Charity www.calumscabin.com
Help Harry Help Others www.hhho.org
Ronald McDonald House Charities www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org
Fighting Childhood Cancer www.nns.org.uk
Bandanas for the brave www.bandanasforthebrave.com
It’s never you wwwitsneveryou.com
Alice’s Arc www.alicesarc.org
Holibobs www.holibobscharity.org.uk
Rays of Sunshine www.raysofsunshine.org.uk
The Azaylia Foundation www.theazayliafoundation.com
Haven House www.havenhouse.org.uk
Latch Wales www.latchwales.org
Spread s Smile www.spreadasmile.org
Make a Wish www.make-a-wish.org.uk
Supershoes www.supershoes.org.uk
Hannah Holiday Home Appeal www.hannahsappeal.org
The Little Brains Trust www.littlebrainstrust.org
The Sick Childrens Trust www.sickchildrenstrust.org
Rosie’s Rainbow Pantry www.rosiesrainbowpantry.wordpress.com
Hollie’s Hideaway www.hollieshideaway.co.uk
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