News & Updates

Emily Varley, a school special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) based in Leicestershire

Naomi Duxbury’s daughter, Mia, was aged four when diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2021. Here, she tells us about the importance of working closely with Mia’s school to create a safe, supportive and ‘normal’ learning environment for her.

Louise Robinson is a neuro-oncology outreach nurse specialist at East Midlands Children’s and Young Persons’ Integrated Cancer Service. Here, she emphasises the importance of collaboration and explains how a support pathway helps young patients with their education.

Ruby Abramow was first diagnosed with a rare head and neck cancer aged nine, before relapsing in 2019, when she was 14. Now 19, she tells us how a new, supportive environment gave her the fresh start she needed to take back control of her disrupted education.

Lauren Bryce’s son, Alfie, had just begun his final year of school when he was diagnosed with leukaemia, aged 15. Here, she tells us about their struggles with the education system after his diagnosis and what could have helped him as he prepared to take his GCSEs.

Charlotte Bowling's daughter, Amelie, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in June 2019 aged six. Charlotte tells us about the support her daughter and her family received from her school, including an innovative way of ensuring Amelie was involved even when not physically present.

Diffuse midline glioma is a devastating brain tumour, affecting primarily young children. There’s currently no cure for this disease and treatment options are limited. This is mainly because this type of tumour is well-protected from drugs by the ‘blood-brain barrier’. This barrier physically blocks all medications from entering the brain. Our group has developed new methods of bypassing this barrier using focused ultrasound.

Gail Beaumont, a dedicated hospital teacher at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, shares insights into her unique role in providing education and support to young patients during their hospital stays.

Lily Morris was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2022 aged 15. Now 16, she tells us about its impact on her GCSE preparations, and the support she’s received from her school and friends as she transitioned back into full-time education.