A children's cancer charity has offered families a message of support saying they are still here to help them on their road to recovery.
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity has marked International Childhood Cancer Day today and reminded families that they are still on hand to help them during their treatment journey.
Every year, between 60 to 70 children are diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland.
Dr Anthony McCarthy, Lead Oncologist at the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal said: “While the pandemic has taken much of the focus of headlines and healthcare news, we want to reassure families, and every young patient that needs our support, that we are still very much here for them.
“Covid-19 hasn’t put a stop to childhood cancer diagnoses, and our teams have been working tirelessly day in, day out, caring for every child that comes through our door. Pressures have certainly increased, the conditions we are working in have changed and we’ve had to adapt the way we do some things, but we’re still providing the world-class treatment that our children deserve.
“We always will and we want families who are facing the stressful prospect of childhood cancer to know that.”
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity supports the work of the medical team and staff at the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal, as well as the families they care for. They do this through funding of essential equipment, additional provision of staffing, training and research, and family support such as their special Robotics Initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the Charity, Chairman Felix Mooney added: “On this International Childhood Cancer Day, we want to pay tribute to the incredible team at the Children’s Cancer Unit and thank them for their dedication in looking after children and young people in Northern Ireland. We are proud to stand beside them and the families they care for, today and every day.”
For more information on the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit or to support the Charity, visit www.childrenscancerunit.com.
