Kids Cancer Conversations
an original podcast series
with Georgie Gardner
Listen below or follow the podcast for real stories and expert insights.
Listeners: If after hearing this podcast you need support, please reach out to Lifeline on
Join us for conversations with Georgie Gardner and special guests with lived childhood cancer experiences and leading experts in the field.
Introducing Kids Cancer Conversations, a podcast that sheds light on the hidden side of childhood cancer. This series delves into the non-medical challenges families face and highlights the emotional, financial, and practical impacts that go hand-in-hand with a diagnosis. Hosted by Georgie Gardner, in collaboration with 9Podcasts, each episode shares moving stories from families with lived experience, along with insights from experts in the sector. We hope this podcast is a useful and informative resource and offers both help and hope for any family or individual navigating a childhood cancer journey.
The Hidden Impacts of Childhood Cancer
Behind every childhood cancer diagnosis is a family. As an expert paediatric oncologist once said, ‘You don’t treat the child, you treat the family’. It’s not just about treatment and hospitals—families are often confronted with enormous financial strain, disrupted routines, family separations and displacement, as well as severe emotional distress. Parents, siblings, and caregivers are thrust into a world of uncertainty and upheaval, making everyday life an overwhelming challenge.
Through each episode of Kids Cancer Conversations, we dive into these realities, bringing you closer to the real stories of families facing childhood cancer and how they cope with the non-medical demands. These stories offer hope and inspiration as we talk to families who have come out the other side of their journey with new meaning and appreciation for what’s important in life.
Where to listen
Episodes
Each episode of Kids Cancer Conversations offers a fresh perspective on the childhood cancer journey. You’ll hear direct from parents, siblings, and experts as they share their personal stories and insights.
Episodes released weekly each Thursday from 31 Oct – 19 Dec 2024
Episode 1: Welcome to Kids Cancer Conversations
Meet Georgie Gardner and Redkite CEO Monique Keighery as they introduce the purpose of the series and what you can expect from upcoming episodes. You’ll also hear from a leading paediatric oncologist who explains the medical impacts of childhood cancer.
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Episode 2: Beyond the Hospital: Treating the Whole Family
In this episode, we explore how the journey extends beyond just treating the child with cancer. A leading paediatric oncologist shares his approach to building trust with families and ensuring they receive the emotional, practical, and medical support they need as they continue their journey at home. Learn how treating the whole family can make a lasting impact.
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Episode 3: When Kids Ask the Tough Questions
How do you answer the tough questions children ask when they, a sibling or friend is diagnosed with cancer? This episode dives into those conversations with input from a parent and a social worker.
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Episode 4: The Other Side of the Story: A Siblings Heartfelt Perspective
Childhood cancer affects the whole family and often siblings are more impacted than the diagnosed child themselves. This episode features personal reflections from a sibling who lost her sister and how she continues to honour her sister’s memory today.
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Episode 5: More Than a Melody: The Power of Music Therapy
Music therapy is more than just a distraction—it’s a tool for healing, managing anxiety and generating positive thoughts. This episode features one family’s music therapy experience and how music helped their child manage fear, along with insights from one of Redkite’s expert music therapists.
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Episode 6: Through the Eyes of a Father
Fathers often play a quiet yet pivotal role in the family’s journey through childhood cancer. In this episode, two fathers share their stories, exploring their emotional struggles, resilience and recognition that to stay strong for their families they too needed expert help and support.
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Episode 7: Beyond Parenting: When Caring Becomes a Full-Time Job
We explore the real-life impact on parents who must step away from work to care for their child during treatment.
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Episode 8: It Takes a Village: How a Community Makes a Difference
A family shares how their local community rallied around them, and we hear from those who played an essential role in providing support during one family’s journey as they navigated life after hospital.
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How Redkite can help
We understand that when a child is diagnosed with cancer, a whole community feels the impact. Redkite’s team of social workers are childhood cancer specialists and are here to support everyone affected by a child’s diagnosis, from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond. Redkite provides a range of non-medical support services including emotional, financial, practical and information resources.
