Family support

We are there for families of children affected by neuroblastoma, providing support throughout their cancer journey and helping them with the widespread challenges they face. 

Neuroblastoma is a life-threatening childhood cancer that affects around 100 children each year in the UK. Nearly half of those are categorised as 'high-risk', a diagnosis that's even more challenging to treat and increases the need for our additional support.

Neuroblastoma Support Flyer

Solving Kids' Cancer's Family Support Team

Solving Kids' Cancer is parent led and our Family Support Team truly understand and know how to help.

Their personal experience with neuroblastoma treatment and in-depth knowledge of the clinical trials landscape has led to many years of professional experience in supporting families.

Donna Ludwinski having a conversation with two men

What is our support for families dealing with neuroblastoma?

Our family support varies depending on your needs, but can include:

Helping families to understand neuroblastoma and its treatment with evidence-based and impartial information
Providing pastoral care and a listening ear, helping families with the emotional and practical challenges caused by neuroblastoma
Liaising between the family, healthcare team and institutions, where appropriate
Helping families to fully prepare for any access to treatment not available on the NHS – from cost negotiations with overseas hospitals to organising flights and accommodation
Hosting our annual Neuroblastoma Parent Education Conference, where families hear from experts on neuroblastoma research and treatments
Referring families to other charities for additional support, such as Macmillan Cancer Support for expert financial guidance
Facilitating fundraising campaigns for families to help raise any costs of accessing treatment that is not available through the NHS

Contact us

Families affected by neuroblastoma are welcome to connect with our Family Support Team by calling 0207 284 0800 or emailing: [email protected]

Vicky Inglis - Head of Family Support Services

Vicky Inglis in conversation with two parents

Vicky leads our Family Support Team and she truly understands. Her brave son, Jamie, passed away in January 2013 at the age of seven after battling neuroblastoma for half of his life. Jamie received treatment in the UK, Germany and USA at a time when there was no Family Support Service estalished.

Vicky left her primary school teaching career to work with Solving Kids' Cancer. Jamie's legacy shines on through Vicky's work with the charity.

Vicky is always available to identify and address each families' needs, aiming for the best outcome each time.

Hayley Blackwell - Family Support Coordinator

Hayley Blackwell hugs a lady who has her back to the camera Hayley is always on hand to provide support to families throughout their child's cancer journey.

She has been through this with her own daughter. Eva was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in 2014 and is now over three years in remission, thriving after being successfully treated in the UK.

She is ideally placed to guide other families.

Donna Ludwinski - Family Support Advocate

Donna Ludwinski speaks with a family

Donna has a vast knowledge of the neuroblastoma research landscape.

As a staunch parent advocate, Donna is passionate about providing resources to neuroblastoma families to help them understand current clinical trials, and to empower their decision-making. She is based in New York, USA, and is the Director of Research Advocacy for Solving Kids' Cancer in the US.

Donna’s son, Erik, passed from neuroblastoma in 2010 at the age of 24.

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Beau was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis, in December 2020. Her family are appealing for your help to raise £317,000 by May 2022.
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In January 2021 Flora was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and just three months later her parents were given the devastating news she had high-risk neuroblastoma. Her family are appealing for your help to raise £252,000 by August 2022 for Flora to enrol on the Bivalent Vaccine clinical trial in New York that aims to stop her neuroblastoma from coming back.
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Jude is a Dinosaur and animal-loving three-year-old. In July 2021 Jude was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis.
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Four-year-old Maysaa was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis, in March 2021. Her family are asking for your support to raise £106,000 by August 2022 for Maysaa to enrol on the DFMO study in Charlotte that aims to stop her neuroblastoma from coming back.
Chloe’s Journey

Beautiful Chloe passed away on the 4th of February 2022.
Eden's Campaign

Six-year-old Eden was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis, in April 2021.
Kayla's Campaign

Three-year-old Kayla was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in May 2021. Kayla’s parents are asking for your help to raise £221,000 by November 2022 for Kayla to enrol on the bivalent vaccine clinical trial in New York that aims to stop her neuroblastoma from coming back.
Peter's Campaign

11-year-old Peter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in early 2019. Devastatingly he relapsed in August 2020 after being clear of disease for 6 months. Thanks to your incredible fundraising and support, Peter was able to enrol on the DFMO study in Charlotte at the end of January 2022.
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In December 2021, five-year-old Dulcie was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis.