'We couldn't have faced it alone': Kildare family laud cancer supports
Pictured are Michelle Kelly, Martin Conway and Sophia Conway (11), whose family availed of the Irish Cancer Society’s support services during Sophia’s brain cancer diagnosis
“Hearing your child has cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare — we couldn’t have faced it alone.” says Michelle Kelly from Nurney, whose daughter, Sophia was first diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of three.
To mark International Childhood Cancer Day, Kildare mum Michelle is raising awareness of childhood cancer and speaks of the phenomenal support her family have received from the Irish Cancer Society throughout.
“From the moment Sophia was diagnosed, we were thrown into a world of hospitals, surgeries, and constant uncertainty,” said Michelle.
“We had to stop working to care for her, and the financial pressure quickly became overwhelming.
“At a time when all our energy needed to be focused on our daughter, we were worrying about how we would manage.
“The support we received from the Irish Cancer Society made an enormous difference.
“The Children’s Fund helped relieve the financial burden, and as Sophia grew older, services like counselling, residential camps and creative arts therapy helped her heal emotionally as well as physically.
“On International Childhood Cancer Day, I want people to understand how vital that support is. It gives families strength, stability, and hope when you need it most,” said Michelle.
The Irish Cancer Society offers a whole host of services and supports for families affected by childhood cancer.
In 2025, the generous support of the public provided more than 75 nights of free night nursing care to allow childhood cancer patients to die at home surrounded by loved ones.
They also provided over 385 free lifts to bring childhood cancer patients to and from their cancer treatment, and allowed 179 families to avail of the Irish Cancer Society Children’s Fund to help with the cost of a childhood cancer diagnosis.
“On International Childhood Cancer Day, we stand with the children and families across Ireland whose lives have been turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis,” said Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society.
“No parent is ever prepared to hear the words, ‘your child has cancer". In that moment, everything changes. Childhood cancer is rare, but its impact is profound.
It places enormous emotional and financial strain on families who should only have to focus on helping their child get better, and that is why continued support is so critical".
