CCLG: The Children & Young People’s Cancer Association

18/08/2026

Losing a sibling can have a lifelong impact. Thirty-two years ago, there was little support available for bereaved siblings and, for Rebecca, losing her sister Lisa brought challenges no child should have to face. Socialising could be difficult when her friends still had siblings, and grief could feel isolating and difficult to share with others.

For Gill Thaxter and her family, communication became an important source of support. Lisa was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 10 in 1992 and sadly died two years later. Through Lisa's diagnosis, treatment and death, and in the years that followed, Gill and Rebecca continued to talk openly and support one another.

In the latest issue of CCLG's Contact magazine, Gill reflects on the lasting impact of sibling bereavement and the importance of communication in helping families cope with grief.

Gill said: "Rebecca has grown up, got married and had three lovely children. Communication has been paramount since Lisa was diagnosed, treated, died, and as life continued."

Read the full article at https://bit.ly/4hBPwp7

15/08/2026

£400,000 raised for children and young people’s cancer research 🎗️✈️

We’re proud to be World Duty Free’s charity partner and are delighted to celebrate an incredible fundraising milestone. As part of Avolta, World Duty Free has now raised more than £400,000 for CCLG.

From organised walks and muddy obstacle runs to skydives, summer socials, bake sales, knitting classes and fancy-dress days, this remarkable achievement reflects four years of commitment and teamwork from colleagues across the UK.

Felicity Francis-Hindley, Reward & Inclusion Advisor UK, said: “Our determination remains as strong as ever. Reaching more than £400,000 is a milestone we are incredibly proud of, and we are now focused on our next ambition, which is raising £500,000 by the end of 2027.

“Across the UK, our teams continue to bring energy, creativity and care to this partnership, finding new ways to fundraise while bringing colleagues and customers together around a cause that matters deeply to us.

“We are proud of what has been achieved so far and look forward to continuing this journey with CCLG over the next two years.”

A huge thank you to everyone at World Duty Free for their fantastic efforts over the past four and a half years. Their dedication to helping drive progress in children's and young people’s cancer research has been truly inspiring. We look forward to continuing our partnership and seeing what more we can achieve together for children and young people with cancer 💛

Read more about the incredible partnership at https://bit.ly/4gaIG7B

13/08/2026

“Childhood cancer is something that doesn't make sense, and it's exactly the sort of thing that you think would never happen to you. But it does happen, and that could be to anybody.”

In February 2025, Johnny Agnew's son, Kit, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at just eight years old and has recently finished treatment for the second time.

Wanting to support other families facing a kidney cancer diagnosis, Johnny and a group of friends are taking on the Scottish Half Marathon this weekend to raise money for Kit's CCLG Special Named Fund. The fund supports research that could help children like Kit receive better treatments and care.

For Johnny, the challenge is about more than fundraising. It's about turning an incredibly difficult experience into something positive and showing Kit that an entire community is behind him. Johnny said: “It’s a very personal cause for us, but this money will go toward treating children in the future and I think that belongs to everyone.”

Read more and donate to Johnny’s fundraising at https://bit.ly/4qdwQhJ

11/08/2026

Helping young women with cancer understand their fertility options 💗

Although cancer treatment can affect women's chances of having a baby in the future, there are lots of things doctors can do to help preserve fertility.

However, these decisions often have to be made very quickly after diagnosis, making an already confusing and overwhelming time even harder.

We're proud to have supported a collaboration that has developed an interactive film to help young women learn about the options available to them.

The film can be personalised to help patients explore options relevant to their treatments, and offers support from other young women who have been through these decisions themselves.

Find out more and watch the full film at www.exploringyouroptions.info

*The film is designed to be viewed as an accompaniment to the Cancer, Fertility and Me patient decision aid, which can be found at cancerfertilityandme.org.uk

University of York Leeds Beckett University Yorkshire Cancer Research JTV Cancer Support UK Research and Innovation

09/08/2026

Braidy was just 24 and 31 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, last year.

After noticing a lump at the base of her neck, she sought medical advice, not wanting to take any risks while pregnant. After prompt investigations, Braidy was quickly diagnosed with stage one cancer and underwent the first two of six cycles of chemotherapy before giving birth to her son.

Now cancer-free, and mum to Lyle, Braidy is passionate about raising awareness and supporting research that improves outcomes for young people with cancer 💛

She said: “I urge anyone, if you notice any lumps, no matter how big or small, get them checked as soon as you can. Catching cancer early can be lifesaving.”

Speaking about the importance of CCLG's work, she added: “Research is so important. Organisations like CCLG, that conduct and shape teenage and young adult cancer research, are vital for improving the care young people receive. The more we understand about cancer, the better the outcomes.”

This is why we're committed to advancing research for teenagers and young adults with cancer. Through the CCLG Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Research Centre, we're funding research that matters most to young people and helping drive improvements in care, treatment and support, both now and in the future.

Read more about this exciting initiative at https://bit.ly/45ND3r2

04/08/2026

Too many parents across the UK face impossible challenges when their child becomes seriously ill, from losing income to struggling with household costs, at a time when they should be focused on their child's care.

That's why we're proud to support It’s Never You in raising awareness of the Government consultation on support for parents of seriously ill children, including proposals for Hugh's Law 💛

Hugh's Law would introduce a new statutory entitlement to leave and pay for parents caring for a seriously ill child, helping ensure no parent has to choose between being at their child's bedside and keeping a roof over their family's head.

Named in memory of Hugh Menai-Davis, who died from cancer in 2021 at just six years old, the campaign is driven by Hugh's parents and their determination to create change for other families.

Whether your child is currently receiving treatment, has recovered, or you have experienced the devastating loss of a child, your voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you can help shape future support for families facing serious childhood illness.

Find out more and take part in the consultation at www.hughslaw.uk

Parents across the UK are losing their jobs, being pressured to return to work, and in some cases even losing their homes, simply because their child is seriously ill.

We call ourselves a progressive country that protects the most vulnerable. Yet when families need support the most, they are too often left to fall through the cracks.

This consultation is our chance to put that right.

Hugh’s Law is about ensuring that no parent has to choose between being at their child’s bedside and keeping a roof over their family’s head. It is about giving families dignity, security and the support they deserve during the hardest time imaginable.

Please take a few minutes to complete the consultation. Your voice could help change the lives of thousands of families across the UK. Find out more and complete the consultation at www.hughslaw.uk - link in the bio 🔗

Parents deserve better. 💛

02/08/2026

It can be really hard to spot cancer in children and teenagers. Many of the most common cancer symptoms are the same as symptoms of everyday illnesses.

Here are the key signs to look out for:

🔍 Clustered symptoms – a group of symptoms that appear together.
‼️ Progressive symptoms – symptoms that get worse or increase over time.
⏰ Persistent symptoms – symptoms that don’t go away or improve.

Early diagnosis can save lives. Spotting cancer in children and young people early can mean better outcomes, fewer long-term effects, and the best chance of survival.

Most childhood illnesses clear up within a couple of weeks. But if symptoms don’t go away after two weeks or something doesn’t feel right - trust your instincts and see a doctor.

Learn to spot the signs at www.cclg.org.uk/childcancersmart

30/07/2026

"Our kind-hearted son kept our family going during his sister's treatment." 💛👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Hollie was diagnosed with an eye cancer called retinoblastoma when she was just 13 months old in 2024. It was a difficult time for the whole family. Her big brother, Ted, who was four years old, supported Hollie and their parents in many ways.

Collette Robinson-Mellor, Hollie's mum said: "Ted could see that his sister was poorly and that we as a family had to deal with changes and sacrifices to try to save Hollie's eye. He could see her vulnerabilities when she was poorly from treatment and was so kind-hearted in helping to look after her.

"Ted could translate what she wanted as he was so in tune with her when she was just beginning to learn to talk. He has stood by her at parties when other children have asked what's wrong with her eye, and he stands up for her and protects her at all costs."

Although Ted has shown remarkable strength and support for his sister, it is normal for siblings to experience their own worries, feelings and emotions.

Ted was sometimes unsure about Hollie's 'rose tears' after treatment and struggled with seeing her sore and poorly when bandages were removed. Over time, he has overcome many of these worries and can see the positive changes in his sister since her eye was removed to treat the cancer. However, he still finds it upsetting that she will never be able to see from that eye again.

Many siblings keep their worries to themselves after a cancer diagnosis and may struggle with the emotions it brings. Through our expert information and resources, our 'My brother or sister has cancer' guide, we help siblings understand what is happening and cope with the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Find sibling support and advice at https://bit.ly/4oUX4Vk

29/07/2026

Amy was just 19 when she died from Ewing sarcoma in October 2025. 🎗️

This , Amy's mum Natasha is sharing her story and leading the BecauseofAmy campaign. Like our Child Cancer Smart campaign, it calls for greater awareness and better training to help healthcare professionals spot the signs of cancer sooner. Find out more about the signs and symptoms:

https://bit.ly/4yLbdsS

28/07/2026

“I’ve learned that one of the best ways to cope is by surrounding yourself with friends who value you for who you are, beyond appearances.”

Cancer and its treatments can change how you look and feel about your body. While some effects, like hair loss during chemotherapy, may be temporary, others can be long-lasting. Adjusting to these changes can be challenging, and it's normal for your body image to be affected.

Toby Clough was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer, as a toddler in 2008, with the effects of his treatment altering the appearance of his eye.

Toby said: “Growing up visibly different teaches you important qualities like empathy and resilience and provides you with a difference in perspective. What’s more, it has made me value authenticity in others as it reveals what other people are truly like, making friendships and connections more meaningful.

“If I could offer one piece of advice to others, it is to try and focus on your own life, rather than worrying about what others are doing or thinking. This can be difficult, but everyone else is out there living their lives, so don’t waste time not living yours.”

Talking about your feelings can really help, but it’s important to do it with someone you feel comfortable with. If you’re not ready to open up to family or friends, your hospital team is there for you. Psychologists, counsellors and social workers can listen, support you and help you work through what you’re feeling 💛

Read more about coping with changes to your body at https://bit.ly/3SQCfP8