Support Families Who Have a Terminally Ill Child

Just after his second birthday, Daniel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting mostly babies and young children. His devastated parents, Claire and Michael, were suddenly plunged into the bewildering world of hospital tests and treatment, while Daniel withdrew into himself, not letting anyone in.

Within a few weeks of diagnosis, Daniel’s parents were introduced to Sabrina, one of Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Workers. Daniel took to her straight away.

“Sabrina is just a wonderful human being” says Claire. For Claire and Michael, her arrival brought the human contact and support they needed. Sabrina helped with hospital appointments, sitting with Daniel while his parents talked to doctors, made phone calls or just had coffee together, to destress for just an hour. Every moment was incredibly valuable to both of them.

“Sabrina has been there for me,” says Claire. “I’ve needed someone to talk to who understands what we as a family are going through. She’s put me in touch with other parents at the hospital, which has been so helpful. Now I can talk to others who know exactly how I’m feeling and can offer me some kind words and support. I feel so much less isolated now. I just can’t imagine life without Sabrina and Rainbow Trust.”

In supporting Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Workers, your donations are making an enormous difference to families struggling to cope with the strain that having a very sick child imposes on everyday life. Thank you on behalf of all our families for every wonderful moment we’re able to give them.

On Sunday 3 June families around the UK celebrated National Cancer Survivors Day. Among them was McKenzie and his family. McKenzie has now been cancer-free for five years.

To celebrate, McKenzie wore a specially made t-shirt to school celebrating his cancer free status. Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity has been supporting the family since McKenzie was first diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2011, when McKenzie was just two years old.

“We were introduced to Dawn, one of Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Workers, in the hospital playroom just six weeks after the diagnosis, and she asked us how she could help. I told her I wanted someone to play with McKenzie’s brothers and sisters and bring some fun back into their lives. Dawn and the children clicked immediately. The time Dawn spent with the children meant I could do simple tasks like the shopping without having to take the five children along. Or when McKenzie was in hospital – sometimes for months at a time - Dawn was an invaluable extra pair of hands at home and enabled my husband and I to have important conversations without distractions.

Thanks to Dawn and support from Rainbow Trust, the isolation felt by many families with a seriously ill child was removed and we were given precious time to focus on creating happy memories as a family. She not only kept us optimistic but provided much needed practical and emotional support to all of us.”
McKenzie’s mum Amberley

Your donations are making a wonderful difference to families just like McKenzie’s by funding vital Family Support Workers to care for families struggling to cope with their child’s illness. Thank you.