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.

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 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.

Dan Ingle - Family Support Coordinator & Service Support Manager

Dan has joined the team to provide further support to families throughout their child's cancer journey.

Dan has been with Solving Kids' Cancer since 2017 and brings great experience in supporting our services to the Family Support Team. He has an in depth knowledge of accessing treatment, fundraising and the clinical research landscape, both within the UK and overseas.

Dan is working very closely with Vicky and Donna to provide support wherever needed.

Latest

George's Story

Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK, with nearly half categorised as 'high-risk', a diagnosis that's even more challenging to treat. George was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at 17 years old in January 2020. He is currently enrolled on the Lorlatinib trial which is showing positive results so far.
70 miles in 7 days

Being a mam myself Joseph’s story has touched my heart.
Mikey's Story

Around 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma every year in the UK, with nearly half categorised as 'high-risk', a diagnosis that's even more challenging to treat. Mikey was diagnosed at just 20 months old, now 5 years old he has completed the Bivalent vaccine trial and started year 1 at school.
Cranking it up for Peter

I'm running the Congleton half marathon for our neighbour, Peter who has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and needs further treatment (not available on the NHS) to help keep the cancer at bay or get him back in remission.
Currently I'm running 8 miles on a long run. 13 miles will be an accomplishment for me...yet only a small one compared to the bravery, humour and humility Peter has shown since he was diagnosed.

Chloe’s Journey

Chloe was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at just 2 years old. Chloe is now 10 years old and in February 2020 her parents were given the devastating news that she had relapsed for the second time with her disease progressing in February 2021.
Joseph's Campaign

Joseph was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in April 2021 at just three years old. His family are fundraising for further treatment, either to get their son into remission or to try and keep the cancer away if his frontline treatment does go to plan. This could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Flora's Campaign

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.
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. His family are fundraising for further treatment either to get Peter back into remission or to try and keep the cancer away if his treatment goes to plan. This could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Lily-Mae, Ireland’s Tiny Dancer, supports Solving Kids’ Cancer

Lily-Mae from Galway, Ireland will be celebrating her 12th birthday this April, but for her parents Judith and Leighton every day is a blessing.
Ollie’s Appeal

Ollie's family shared the devastating news that their beautiful boy passed away on Sunday 18th July 2021.
Henry's Urgent Appeal

Henry has high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis. His family are appealing for your help to raise £163,000 by January 2021.
Nellie-Rose's Campaign

Nellie-Rose is battling a disease no child should have to. She has high-risk neuroblastoma that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis.
Poppy's Campaign

Poppy was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma at just four years old. Her family are fundraising for further treatment, either to get their daughter into remission or to try and keep the cancer away if her frontline treatment does go to plan.
What is neuroblastoma?

Neuroblastoma is a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that affects around 100 children each year in the UK. It has one of the lowest survival rates.