Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Solving Kids' Cancer
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Shop Contact us Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • What we do
    • Meet the team
      • Trustees
      • Our team
    • Patron
    • Parent Involvement Forum
    • Join our Team
    • Annual reports
  • About neuroblastoma
    • What is neuroblastoma?
    • Symptoms
    • Diagnosis
    • Neuroblastoma treatment
  • Support
    • Family support
    • Access treatment
    • Neuroblastoma Parent Education Conference
      • Neuroblastoma Parent Global Symposium 2020
      • See past conferences
    • Other sources of help
  • Research
    • Our research
    • Scientific Advisory Board
    • Funding award process
    • Projects
    • Funding partners
    • Research policies
    • Research blog
  • Support Our Work
    • Donate now
    • Shop
    • Ambassador Programme
    • Corporate partnerships
    • Challenge events
    • Set up a fundraising page
    • Fundraising resources
  • Children’s stories
    • Stories
    • Children’s campaigns
    • In memory
    • Named funds
  • News
    • News
    • Blogs
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Family support

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

Our frontline team is parent-informed and they 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 cameraHayley 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.

Published: 7th May, 2019

Updated: 20th August, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • 100 miles for Henry In March

    100 miles for Henry In March

    Henry is such a strong an amazing little boy, a real inspiration at such a young age. I want to try and help him and his family reach their goal to continue his treatment.

  • Karen and Evie’s 23 day Squatty Botty

    Karen and Evie’s 23 day Squatty Botty

    We are taking on the Squatty Botty challenge to raise much needed funds for dear little Ollie

  • Leeanne Brennan

  • A Half Marathon for Henry The Brave

    A Half Marathon for Henry The Brave

    Henry has high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis. His family need support for his on going treatment.

Most read

  • Lily-Mae, Ireland’s Tiny Dancer, supports Solving Kids’ Cancer

    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.

  • Corey is thriving after neuroblastoma battle

    Corey is thriving after neuroblastoma battle

    Family donate almost £150,000 to neuroblastoma research

  • Solving Kids' Cancer welcomes Alexandra Lane to the Board of Trustees

    Solving Kids' Cancer welcomes Alexandra Lane to the Board of Trustees

    Alexandra Lane was formally voted on and welcomed to our Board of Trustees this week. We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the team.

  • BEACON study opens in Europe

    BEACON study opens in Europe

    The much-anticipated BEACON study amendment is now open and recruiting patients.

  • Steve Richards to step down as Chief Executive

    Steve Richards to step down as Chief Executive

    CEO to leave Solving Kids' Cancer after three years in the role.

  • Solving Kids’ Cancer appoints new Chief Executive Officer

    Solving Kids’ Cancer appoints new Chief Executive Officer

    Solving Kids’ Cancer, a national neuroblastoma charity, has appointed Gail Jackson as its new Chief Executive Officer.

  • Ollie’s Appeal

    Ollie’s Appeal

    Ollie’s mum and dad are determined to do everything they can to give him the best possible chance of beating neuroblastoma.

  • Chloe’s Journey

    Chloe’s Journey

    "We have no guarantees but you have helped us to know that we as parents have done all we can to keep Chloe in remission”

  • Charities fund new clinical trial

    Charities fund new clinical trial

    Solving Kids’ Cancer, with Neuroblastoma UK, has awarded a grant of £609,762.40 to enable the SIOPEN High-Risk Neuroblastoma Clinical Trial 2 (HR-NBL2) to open in the UK, it is anticipated to open in early 2021.

  • First Three Months

    First Three Months

    Gail Jackson, CEO, launches her blog. Reflecting on personal resilience, our work and joining Solving Kids' Cancer as COVID hit.

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Contact us

Solving Kids' Cancer UK
Coram Campus
41 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ

Phone: 020 7284 0800

Follow us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

  • Jobs
  • Media enquiries
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Safeguarding Statement
  • Privacy Policy

Solving Kids’ Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1135601), and in Scotland (SCO45094). It is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (7208648). The charity and company is currently operating as Solving Kids’ Cancer.