Gold Ribbon Conversations
43 episodes - English - Latest episode: 16 days ago -Six children, adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer every week in Ireland.
Created by Childhood Cancer Ireland, Gold Ribbon Conversations is the podcast that explores the real experiences of childhood cancer, the fear, anxiety, sadness and pain.
But also the light, hope, friendships and the community that exists here.
Hosted by Sinead O'Moore, these episodes will share personal stories, early symptoms, moments of diagnosis, the impact of treatment, survivorship and bereavement, as well as hearing from physical and emotional experts in this field.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Gold Ribbon Conversations is just one way that Childhood Cancer Ireland are supporting families fighting cancer.
To donate text GOLD to 50300 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.
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Episodes
Dr. Massa Jabra - Paediatric Care in a Conflict Zone
April 02, 2024 11:24 - 29 minutes - 66.9 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Joining me today is Dr. Massa Jabra, a doctor in Syria. Dr. Massa was appointed Childhood Cancer Advocate for SIOP this year. SIOP is the International Society of Paediatric Oncology where her role is to spread awareness of childhood cancer and SIOP's work to the paediatric oncology community. Massa is also involved with BASMA (which means smile in Arabic), a Syrian organisation for children with ca...
A Celebration of Life - Karen Dempsey
March 18, 2024 07:30 - 36 minutes - 84.6 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Karen Dempsey is a celebrant and founder of Entheos a supportive service that can walk alongside families when marking an occasion or a loss. When it comes to funerals, Karen wants to normalise the conversation. She understands how important it is for people to know that they have choices. They have permission to be creative and design a ceremony that is meaningful and right for the person they are ch...
Gone Too Soon - Zoe's Magic Wand
March 04, 2024 10:59 - 1 hour - 196 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer. If you have been impacted by the loss of a child, you will find information, resources and support at Anam Cara, an organisation which supports parents after bereavement. They also have information for siblings, grandparents and other family members, which may be helpful. Carmel O’Mahony gave birth to her first baby Zoe 2016 When Zo...
Survivorship & Late Effects - Aoife Moggan
February 19, 2024 07:00 - 49 minutes - 112 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Joining me today is Aoife Moggan. Aoife was diagnosed with a rare spinal cancer when she was 13. 6 Spinal surgeries and cancer treatment later - aoife is in her 30’s and survived childhood cancer but experiences longterm effects including chronic pain, reliance on high dose painkillers, loss of power in her leg and even a paralysed vocal chord. She now advocates for other survivors - for joined up th...
Marlie's Gold Ribbon Story - Jenny Forde
February 06, 2024 11:30 - 42 minutes - 98.2 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Joining me today is Jenny Forde to share Marlie’s story. Marlie is a bright and happy little girl doing so well after going through so much. In 2021 when Marlie was 3 and a half she was diagnosed with a malignant Grade 4 brain tumour and endured several life saving surgeries and treatments. Jenny takes us thorugh her early symptoms, a mothers intuition, the impact on the wider family and the processi...
A St. Luke's Hero - Thank you Edel Tevlin
December 11, 2023 14:36 - 38 minutes - 88.3 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Joining me for our final episode of the year is Paediatric Anaesthetic Radiation Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist in St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar - Edel Tevlin. And it’s made even more poignant as we record on Edel’s final week in work before her retirement. Edel was the first paediatric nurse in St. Luke's and will retire in December after a long nursing career and 8 years in this role. St. Luke...
Fighting Leukaemia, Jude's Story - Laura & Steven Reilly
December 03, 2023 20:20 - 1 hour - 165 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode, I’m joined by Laura & Stephen Reily as they share the journey they have been on since their 2 year old son Jude was diagnosed with Leukaemia just a few months ago in June 2023. We talk about the initial signs and symptoms, to the eventual diagnosis. How much their world, their priorities and their perspective on life changed. We talk about the moments of despair and the moments that l...
The Psychology of Childhood Leukaemia Survivorship - Avril Deegan
November 27, 2023 05:23 - 42 minutes - 96.2 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode I'm joined by Avril Deegan, a survivor of childhood cancer and now a 3rd year PDH student researching Childhood Leukaemia Survivorship from a psychological perspective. She is working with Prof. Owen Smith (who was her oncologist as a child) and Chiara Besani, Principal Clinical Psychologist in Crumlin to look at resilience, quality of life and social support at the end of treatment. Av...
Gone Too Soon - Lily May's Story
November 20, 2023 07:00 - 41 minutes - 93.9 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the loss of a young adult 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 me this week is Emma Kate O'Dwyer as we remember her sister Lily May who lost her fight to cancer. Lily May was diagnosed with Ewings ...
Parent Support - Dr. Mairead Brennan
November 13, 2023 07:00 - 46 minutes - 107 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Mairead Brennan, senior clinical psychologist, cancer care west. Here we talk about the psychology of what's happening for parents - the physical and emotional effects - both during and after treatment. Dr. Mairead offers some practical tips to help you navigate this time and the impact on your emotional and physical relationship by validating different stages and givin...
Beating Neuroblastoma - Mark Garry
November 06, 2023 06:00 - 51 minutes - 117 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In our first episode of season 7, we are joined by Mark Garry. Mark's daughter Tessa was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was 14 months old in 2018. Now 6 and in school, Tessa is living a happy and normal life and mark is here to remind you to look to the future ahead. Mark talks about the treatment journey, the support of others, the difficult decision of treatment abroad and the health anxiety...
How to support our children during procedures - Professor Lucy Bray
September 24, 2023 23:01 - 51 minutes - 118 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Our final episode this season, we are joined by Lucy Bray Professor of Child Health Literacy. Childhood Cancer Ireland was first introduced to Lucy's work at the Children in Hospital Ireland annual lecture earlier this year. Lucy looks at improving the experience for children and young people having procedures. Here we talk about the journey a patient goes on before, during and after treatment and she...
Sibling Survivors - Noreen Doyle
September 18, 2023 00:00 - 51 minutes - 118 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. They say lightning never strikes twice - but in this story with my guest Noreen Doyle, it does. Norren's son James and daughter Kate were both diagnosed with cancer as children, 10 years apart. James is now 18, after finishing is leaving cert and Kate is now 14 and they both thankfully have so much ahead to look forward to. Noreen saw huge changes in terms of treatment during that time. When James wa...
Creating Cian's Kennels - Evelyn Neary
September 10, 2023 23:01 - 58 minutes - 133 MBGold 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. If you are impacted Anam Cara bereavement support can help. September Marks Childhood Cancer Awareness month And is also a poignant month for this weeks guest, Evelyn Ne...
Fighting Future Childhood Cancer
September 03, 2023 23:01 - 50 minutes - 116 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Welcome back to a new season of Gold Ribbon Conversations. Today I’m joined by Walter Kolsch Director of Systems Biology Ireland & Conway Institute, UCD & one of the founding members of Childhood Cancer Ireland Alan Pearson who are working together in what is the biggest investment in cancer research in Ireland. It started out as purely research-focused but they recognised how important it was to inclu...
Fighting Future Childhood Cancer - Prof Walter Kolch & Alan Pearson
September 03, 2023 23:01 - 50 minutes - 116 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Welcome back to a new season of Gold Ribbon Conversations. Today I’m joined by Walter Kolsch Director of Systems Biology Ireland & Conway Institute, UCD & one of the founding members of Childhood Cancer Ireland Alan Pearson who are working together in what is the biggest investment in cancer research in Ireland. It started out as purely research-focused but they recognised how important it was to inclu...
Courage over Leukemia - Sarah Barnes Aabo
June 05, 2023 00:23 - 46 minutes - 106 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In our final episode of the season we are so grateful to be joined by Sarah Barnes Aabo. At two and half, her gorgeous lively little boy became noticeably unwell very quickly. Kian, was diagnosed with Leukemia and while this news changed everything. Chemotherapy took its toll on Kian's immune system and left him vulnerable to a virus which took hold and he became paralysed from the neck down. Kian b...
Brain Cancer doesn't define me - Dylan Smith Bresnahan
May 29, 2023 10:10 - 36 minutes - 83 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month so in this season we bring you some stories focused on brain tumours with medical experts, the survivors and those we have sadly lost. Diagnosed at 10 with brain cancer - Dylan Smith Bresnahan is now 21 years old and has just finished second year in college. His story is one of overcoming childhood cancer, of it not defying you, how it has thought him many lessons, co...
Parent Support - Psychotherapist, Debbie Cullinane
May 22, 2023 00:23 - 53 minutes - 123 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode, we are joined by Child and adolescent psychotherapist Debbie Cullinane to answer your questions about how to emotionally support your family. At childhood cancer ireland we know there is so much more to fighting cancer than the medical side and supporting our children to process their emotions can be a source of worry and concern for many parents. Here we talk about why play therapy ...
Gone too Soon: Laobhaise's Story
May 15, 2023 00:23 - 42 minutes - 98.4 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month so in this season we bring you some stories focused on brain tumours with medical experts, the survivors and those we have sadly lost. Trigger Warning: 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 emoti...
Brain Tumour Awareness Month - Dr. Taffy, Paediatric Neurosurgeon
May 08, 2023 00:23 - 35 minutes - 82.1 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. May is Brain Tumour Awareness Month so in this season we bring you some stories focused on brain tumours with medical experts, the survivors and those we have sadly lost. Dr Taffy, Ire;ands 1st Female Paediatric Neurosurgeon is our first guest this season. A mother of 3 we talk openly about why she is so committed to her work, to her patients and to fighting childhood cancer. We talk about the intens...
Fighting for Jimmie - Louise Quail
March 13, 2023 01:23 - 1 hour - 146 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In our final episode of this season we are joined by Louise Quail to talk about her son Jimmie's cancer diagnosis in 2019 while she was working in fundraising for the charity, Ronald McDonald House. When Jimmie was 3 he was diagnosed with a tumour in his left cheek, Louise was 16 weeks pregnant at the time & the impact of a serious childhood illness took on a new understanding. Here we talk about his c...
Shared Care - Clinical Nurse Specialist Connie Crehan
March 06, 2023 00:23 - 37 minutes - 86.7 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode we meet Connie Crehan, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Paediatric Cancer in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda Connie cares for patients in a “shared care” hospital setting, a local unit like our lady of lourdes is a huge support for families who need regular care without the journeys to Crumlin. Here we talk about how passionately Connie cares for her patients, for her work, her ...
Lessons from Grief - Benji Bennett Adam's Cloud Books
February 27, 2023 01:23 - 45 minutes - 105 MBGold 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 - please protect your emotional wellbeing. Anam Cara Bereavement Support In todays episode I'm joined by author of the Adam’s Cloud books Benji Bennett. Benji's son Adam died of a brain tumour aged 4 in 2007. Through his grief Benji channeled his emotion into crea...
Leukaemia: Fighting at 4 - Eavann McCarthy
February 20, 2023 00:01 - 43 minutes - 100 MBHere I sit down with Eavann McCarthy as she shares her son Patrick’s fight with leukaemia. Patrick was diagnosed with leukaemia a month before his 4th birthday. He's now 10 and in 4th class and doing really well. Like many Eavann went into survival mode when Patrick and acknowledges the trauma it placed their young family in. We talk about what support looks like, how the staff on St John’s Ward become like family, & how the vulnerability, isolation, anxiety and trauma often presents it...
Young Adult Cancer Advocate - Karl Corcoran
February 13, 2023 04:44 - 1 hour - 158 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In our first episode of 2023 I am joined by 24 year old Karl Corcoran who was diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago. As a young adult Karl fought cancer in Beaumont hospital after 12 months of undiagnosed pain. As a young adult at the time, Karl felt in limbo between being treated to young to understand the gravity of the situation and too old to be supported through the reality. We talk about his r...
The Power of Complementary Therapies - Clinical Nurse Specialist Olive O'Neill
December 05, 2022 03:23 - 40 minutes - 93.1 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. We are delighted to bring you this episode with Olive O’Neil, clinical nurse specialist in Complementary Therapies with Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. Thanks to the generosity of the Julie Wren Trust at the Children’s Health Foundation, the complimentary therapy service is available to patients and their parents/guardians offering a range of therapies to help patients and parents/guardians on the...
Gone Too Soon: Jack's Story - Sabrina Lawless
November 28, 2022 03:23 - 54 minutes - 124 MBGold 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. *** This month marks one year since Sabrina, her husband and her family lost their Jack. This episode is an act of courage as Sabrina, Jack’s mother talks to us about the...
Sibling Support - Kyle & Leah Casey
November 21, 2022 01:23 - 35 minutes - 81.2 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode we meet brother + sister Kyle and Leah Casey. In 2014 aged 11, Kyle was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Now 19 he and his sister Leah join us to talk about how this cancer journey - this fight, brought them closer. In the darkest of times these two young adults shine a light of solidarity and strength for all those who are fighting against childhood cancer right now. Gold Ribbon Tree...
A Dad's Fight - Mark McQuillan
November 14, 2022 01:23 - 47 minutes - 110 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. This episode is a conversation with a dad who went through it all acting brave and strong but who now understands how important it is for men to be able to talk about the stress, trauma and grief they feel while fighting childhood cancer or any illness that threatens the wellbeing of their children. Mark McQuillan's daughter Aoife was born prematurely weighing only 970gm. She showed the world how strong ...
Fighting since 6 weeks old - Carly Ellis
November 07, 2022 01:11 - 57 minutes - 132 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. We open up this new season with a powerful conversation with mother of 4 Carly Ennis. At just 6 weeks old her baby girl Aoife was diagnosed with a tumour on her optic nerve. We talk about the impact the diagnosis had on her mental health, her career, their finances, her motherhood. We talk about the weight of the trauma and her breakdown, how disruptive this new life was for her other children and her...
Your Mental Health Questions Answered - Dr. Malie Coyne
October 10, 2022 00:23 - 1 hour - 46.5 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Malie Coyne joins us to answer your mental health questions. Here we talk about some of the resounding issues from parental anxiety to supporting siblings, to finding space for you and having difficult conversations. There is so much more going on for families fighting cancer than the cancer itself - and here we hope you can begin to find support for your mental health too. ...
Asking "Why?" - Dr. Noelle Cullinan
October 03, 2022 06:23 - 35 minutes - 81.5 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. We are delighted to bring you this episode with Dr. Noelle Cullinan in collaboration with Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. As an oncologist, Dr. Noelle talks to us about her why, her passion and her unending pursuit to learn more about how we can stop cancer. Here we talk about the parents need to understand “why?”, her focus on genetic testing and the answers it can present for treatment decisio...
New Prosthetic Limb & New Life Ahead - Nikki Bradley
September 26, 2022 06:23 - 50 minutes - 115 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode we catch up with a truly inspiring guest from Season 1, Nikki Bradley. listen back to ep1 Nikki fought cancer as a young adult 20 years ago and has shared how treatment has had a lasting impact on her physical and mental health. While it has given her a powerful mindset it was caused her chronic pain. Nikki’s resilience to secure her future led her to making the decision to have a rot...
Game Changing CAR-T Cell Therapy - Alex + Louisa McEleney
September 19, 2022 06:23 - 49 minutes - 114 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Cancer Treatment is always evolving with new studies, methods and lifelines. In this episode we are joined by 16 year old Alex McEleney and his rock of support - his mother Louisa. In March 2022 following a relapse, Alex was presented with a new opportunity - Car T Cell therapy, originally only available in the UK - but Alex became the first minor to have this innovative game changing treatment in Irel...
Why School Life is so Important - Principal Fergal McNamara
September 12, 2022 02:23 - 37 minutes - 84.9 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. In this episode with Crumlin's Our Lady's Hospital School Principal Feral McNamara, we talk about why maintaining a link to education is so important for children while they undergo care and treatment. Having a childhood continue allows patients to find comfort in the familiar. While homework and tests might not be so important right now, Fergal explains how not leaving education behind can give childr...
Finding the Strength to Fight - Orlaith Donlon
September 03, 2022 15:44 - 51 minutes - 117 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. A rare form of Cancer arrived uninvited into Orlaith's worlds just over 2 years ago. A limp and a parents intuition led them towards tests, scans and a cancer diagnosis for their 3 year old boy. Here we talk about the waiting, the need to know what’s wrong, the relief when a team swoop in with a plan and loved ones swoop in with endless support. We talk about falling apart and about putting pieces bac...
Fighting Childhood Cancer: Dr. Sarah Curry
September 03, 2022 15:40 - 36 minutes - 62.4 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. As parents we hand over so much to the medical teams who care for our children. Here we talk to oncologist and mother of two Dr. Sarah Currey about her role, her passion, the worst of days and what gives her relentless hope. Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland is 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 convers...
How Play Can Help Children Fighting Childhood Cancer: Rebecca Walsh
September 02, 2021 09:12 - 32 minutes - 52.3 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Letting little people be little while fighting cancer is a powerful way of caring for their emotional needs. Here we talk to Rebecca Walsh about how she uses play to support children fighting cancer on St. John's Ward in Crumlin Hospital. _ Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland is charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for thi...
Max - A Childhood Cancer Angel: Cathy Bermingham
September 02, 2021 09:12 - 40 minutes - 63.2 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. This episode celebrates the life of Max. A little boy who was full of courage and who will never be forgotten. And here, Max’s incredible mother Cathy joins us to support other parents in their grief. Max was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma two weeks after his 2nd birthday in 2012. For 6 years Max fought cancer but true to his name lived life to the max, before gently passing away. Through talking, ...
Cillian - My Childhood Cancer Fighter: Sinead Wood
September 02, 2021 09:11 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. Three years ago, Sinead's son Cillian was diagnosed with T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Now aged 10 Cillian is finishing his treatment and beginning his next phase of his survivorship journey. A new phase for the whole family. Sinead speaks so powerfully about how the last 3 years have impacted her and her family. And how she has battled and hoped to see the end of Cillians cancer treatment, but now...
My Life beyond Childhood Cancer - Nikki Bradley
September 02, 2021 09:11 - 58 minutes - 91.8 MBGold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer. At 16 Nikki Bradley felt a lump which turned out to be Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Overnight Nikki's life and her family's life was changed forever. Awarded 'Mosting Inspiring Person of the Year' by Outsider Magazine and the winner of one of Ten Outstanding Young People awards in Ireland, Nikki has inspired many through her own endeavours, her powerful business, The Motivational Factor...
Gold Ribbon Conversations ~ Coming Soon
August 19, 2021 12:40 - 1 minute - 1.56 MBSix children, adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer every week in Ireland. Created by Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland, Gold Ribbon Conversations, is the podcast that explores the real experiences of childhood cancer. the fear, anxiety sadness and pain, but also light, hope, friendships and the community that exists here. Hosted by Sinead O'Moore, this podcast shares personal stories, early symptoms, moments of diagnosis, the impact of treatment, survivorship and berea...