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Welcome to our #WearTheRibbon page. For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2019 we’re celebrating the reasons why people wear the ribbon. Whether you #WearTheRibbon for the nurses and doctors that care for children with cancer or to raise awareness for childhood cancer, we want to hear from you. See below the reasons why our supporters #WearTheRibbon.
Use our form to send in your #WearTheRibbon reason, with any related stories, pictures or videos to feature on our page!
Alternatively, share your reason on social media using the #WearTheRibbon hashtag to help spread awareness for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2019!
To read each Wear The Ribbon reason, just click on the photo.
Feel free to download our #WearTheRibbon card and our Digital Ribbon for you to print at home.
Blue was diagnosed two years old in March 2011 with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Chemotherapy treatment failed to work. He was sent home on 13th February 2012 with palliative care. Compassionate trial of Cyclophosphamide and Etoposide administered to get him into remission so he could go to BMT. The treatment worked and Blue was the first child in this UK to be on this trial. It is now used regularly to treat other children. Blue finally left hospital in July 2013. Highly toxic treatment nearly killed him twice! Now Blue is six years in remission.
"This new test is massive and could save lives"
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Donate todayThis new test is massive and could save lives. If this test was out nine years ago, Hollie would not have been so poorly for the 16 months when we were fighting for a diagnosis for her. At 19 months old, she was so unwell with only seven platelets which could’ve been fatal. This simple blood test may have prevented Hollie from being so poorly. She had to endure four months of chemotherapy. So thankful for Children with Cancer UK and all their support they’ve given us during Hols treatment and the aftercare. Feel like one big family xx
"More research and funding is desperately needed for the future of our children"
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Donate todayOscar is four years old. He wears the gold ribbon because he’s a cancer survivor. But because of the gruelling treatment, he’s suffering with side effects. This is why he wants kinder treatment for kids like him.
Cheryl wears the gold ribbon because she wants her four year old son Oscar to have a normal healthy life after battling cancer. More research and funding is desperately needed for the future of our children.
Back in February 2014, our four year old son Owen was diagnosed with a Stage 3 wilm’s tumour. The size of the tumour was 18cm by 12cm and he suffered with complications which included Von Willebrand factor VIII deficiency. In December 2014, after nine months of intense treatment, we heard the best news we could have ever wished for, our brave boy was in remission. Owen is now a happy, healthy nine year old and over three years cancer free.
I am proudly wearing my gold ribbon for my son, my hero, Josh who at the age of three was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. We are so blessed that Josh has now been in remission for four years and is a happy little boy who lives life to the full. The scars of childhood cancer will always remain.
I also wear my gold ribbon for all the incredibly brave children fighting cancer right now. They are the most incredible brave children you will ever meet. Seeing a child fight cancer really does change your life forever. Throughout our journey we met so many precious children who are now angels. By wearing my gold ribbon I am remembering and honouring all the beautiful angels that childhood cancer has taken from their families. Children should not die from cancer.
By wearing my ribbon, I am raising awareness of childhood cancer, the signs and symptoms and the need for kinder and more effective treatments and ultimately a cure… THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN NEED OUR HELP…ALL CHILDREN DESERVE A FUTURE.
I am proudly wearing my gold ribbon for my son, my hero, Josh who at the age of three was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. We are so blessed that Josh has now been in remission for four years and is a happy little boy who lives life to the full. The scars of childhood cancer will always remain.
I also wear my gold ribbon for all the incredibly brave children fighting cancer right now. They are the most incredible brave children you will ever meet. Seeing a child fight cancer really does change your life forever. Throughout our journey we met so many precious children who are now angels. By wearing my gold ribbon I am remembering and honouring all the beautiful angels that childhood cancer has taken from their families. Children should not die from cancer.
By wearing my ribbon, I am raising awareness of childhood cancer, the signs and symptoms and the need for kinder and more effective treatments and ultimately a cure… THESE PRECIOUS CHILDREN NEED OUR HELP…ALL CHILDREN DESERVE A FUTURE.
Bella-Rose was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was three years old. After over a year of treatment Bella has suffered a relapse. Today Bella-Rose is a healthy young girl.
The research that is happening over at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which we hope will allow us to find out much more about a tumour using advanced imaging techniques. Also, in the coming year, we will be installing an ‘intra-operative’ MRI scanner, which is an MRI scanner and surgical theatre in one. This will allow us to update our scans while surgery is taking place, and should give the surgeon ‘real time’, updated information about the extent of a surgical resection. This will hopefully result in better surgical outcomes for patients.
Sam’s card means the scars you can’t see on the outside, like a fear of needles and injections. Nightmares of treatments you’ve had. Sadness from losing your hair, gaining scars from operations. The treatment has left him less physically capable than his friends, so he can’t always join in or keep up and that takes an emotional toll.
Sam tested Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) positive and was given the more intense chemo he needed. I’m so grateful that this test was available for us. To know he was at high risk or relapsing and be able to change his chemo protocol to match what he needed, is amazing.
Rose’s card reads: “Children with Cancer UK kept our friendship group complete.”
At just five months old, Rose was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). She was given a 50:50 chance of survival but today, she is a happy, healthy little girl.
Isaac was diagnosed with ALL in February 2016 and is in treatment until May 2019. His treatment is a cocktail of drugs all with different side effects not able to just target the cancer but also getting rid of good cells impacting on his energy levels and causing illness. Raising awareness of childhood cancer results in greater funding to increase research and development of treatments meaning that children diagnosed in the future will hopefully have a less toxic and shorter treatment to be cured, and also result in total cures for all childhood cancers.
Luke was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a very rare cancer in his liver, when he was just six months old. Only one in every million children develops this disease.
Quickly after this, he went on to endure four rounds of toxic chemotherapy for two months to shrink the tumour, followed by major surgery, lasting six hours, to remove the tumour, once it was small enough for them to remove safely. Further chemotherapy helped ensure that no cancer was left inside him. Luke, now 11 years old and a happy and healthy boy, is a talented gymnast. Luke’s story, along with that of many other children, could have been very different without the critical research undertaken by Children with Cancer UK. He loves life and we are so proud of our little miracle.
I wear the ribbon for my son Harry, NED since October 2011 from embryonal rhabdomyosaecoma and for all the children in treatment, in remission or who have sadly died.
Harry’s sign reads; “I wear the ribbon for research so that other children don’t go through what I did.”
We are wearing tee shirts that our Facebook group, My Kid Has Cancer Support Group (over 2,750 members) put together as a reminder of the names of the children in our group who are affected. I’ve also added a picture of the tattoo I have had done this year as a permanent reminder of what my son has had to face.
Simone shares her #WearTheRibbon reason. Her son Kodie was four years old when he was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour.
Emma was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma on 27 November 2006. She was just two years old at the time. There was once a time when celebrating 1 year cancer free seemed so far out of reach. Never mind celebrating 10 years in July 2018. I can’t put into words the fight Emma put up or the daily battles she faces due to damage both the treatment and cancer has caused, but one thing cancer won’t do is dull her beautiful smile or knock her down .
We’ll be proudly wearing our ribbons in September for –
We wear the ribbon for our son Jacob who was diagnosed with cancer when he was only three. He is now six and in remission. We wear the ribbon for all of the children who will be diagnosed with cancer.
Louis was just 19 months old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
I have watched my 12-year-old son endure 949 days of treatment for leukaemia. He still has 237 days to go. He cannot remember what life was like before. We can’t.
I would like to see more funding and research into new and kinder drugs to help all children and families who are affected by a cancer diagnosis in childhood.
Words for Rufus’
Rufus’ brother was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2016. Rufus at the time was 8 and his whole world was turned upside down. All of a sudden his brother was in the hospital, his parents were rarely home and his grandparents had moved in to look after him. He still watches his brother take daily chemotherapy and sees him wiped out from the affects.
Words for Felix.
Felix was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2016 when he was 10 years old. He has been in treatment for over two and a half years. He can’t wait to see what life will be like when he finishes treatment in April 2019. No more daily chemotherapy, weekly blood tests, fortnightly appointments and the dreaded fear of infection.
My 12 year old nephew was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Thankfully he has just been told he is in remission, but the continued treatment is so harsh he is very poorly. I wear the ribbon for more research into kinder, safer treatment so children don’t have to suffer these side effects.
Phoebe was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, a type of kidney cancer, shortly before her second birthday
Cherri was diagnosed with (ALL) type cancer in February 2006 at the age of three we had a very long battle on our hands as she did not respond well to a lot of the treatments. Thankfully we were given the all clear in 2010 and she is in very good health now and starting her GCSE at school. We are all very grateful for all the help and support that we receive as a family and most of all we are all very proud of Cherri.
Molly was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma when she was eight years old.
Olivia says every stage of dealing with AML, for her, has made her dig deep and show determination. Even remission is a time when she feels she has to fight hard; she says coming out of hospital and trying to get on with life is tough.
She knows her life has changed forever, she says she often feels in limbo-land.
Dominic was only four months old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2010. Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain tumour with an exceptionally poor outlook.
I am a clinical haematologist at University College London Hospital, where I treat patients with blood disorders including leukaemia and bone marrow failure. I trained in one of the world’s leading laboratories in zebrafish leukaemia models at Harvard University in Boston, USA.
Daisy was diagnosed with ALL on 5th September 2016 on her first day at school. She had just turned four and she missed most of reception due to treatment and illness. She is now in Year 2 and finishes her treatment in November. Daisy never lets her treatment get in her way, she is a happy fun loving little girl who loves packing up her toys whenever we are admitted onto the ward! We have spent a lot of time in hospital over the last two years and have met some amazing families in this time, I’m always humbled by the strength and love I see on the children’s oncology ward!
Cancer is the scariest thing anyone could go through, especially when they are only two years of age. To hear that your baby has leukaemia has got to be the hardest thing to hear.
Bella really struggled with chemotherapy and we spent month after month in the hospital. When one infection went, she seemed to catch another. At one point I thought this nightmare would never end. After 10 months of intensive chemotherapy which could be up to four doses of chemotherapy a day, Bella went into maintenance chemotherapy.
“My reason to #WearTheRibbon is for my 12 year old son Jack. Jack was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in March 2014 at the age of 7 years and 8 months, it was a terrible shock to us all and very hard on Jack’s 7 siblings. Jack’s treatment started straight away and he went into remission within the first week, and although it was extremely hard for him with all the drugs, the blood tests, the hair loss, nasal tubes, hospital stays and chemotherapy. He somehow managed to smile and keep his sense of humour, which I think helped us all cope through the shock and then treatment. Sadly Jack relapsed in April 2015 the leukaemia was back just 13 months from diagnosis.
Jack needed a bone marrow transplant if he was to beat this. Fortunately two of Jack’s siblings were a 10/10 match, so after more chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Jack was back in remission. On 4th June 2015 Jack had a sibling bone marrow transplant. Jack’s oldest brother Lewis was his donor. It is now three years and three months since Jack’s bone marrow transplant. He is doing well and still in remission, sadly he has suffered from the late effects of treatment and now has chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the skin and scleroderma of the underlying tissue and muscles. Jack is being treated for his GVHD by having ECP (ultra violet light) treatment, every two weeks on two consecutive days. He has had 60 pairs of treatment so far for just over a 14 months now. It is working slowly, which is great. We are so very proud of Jack. X” – Tracey, Jack’s mum.
I have never felt more alone and scared than the day I was told my little girl had leukaemia. The following two years of treatment were very difficult for us. During such a tough time, making sure our whole family were able to be together as much as possible made a huge difference.
I #WearTheRibbon for every child diagnosed with cancer and their family is fighting a battle we can only imagine. Their resilience and bravery is so inspiring and reminds me daily of why I work at Children with Cancer UK.
Imogen works at Children with Cancer UK in the Corporate Partnerships team.
I #WearTheRibbon for solidarity against cancer and together we are stronger.
Zehra works at Children with Cancer UK in the Human Resources team.
I #WearTheRibbon for Noam and all the families fighting the injustice of cancer in children.
Donna works at Children with Cancer UK in the Corporate Partnerships team.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – a cause so close to my heart because I watched my beloved cousin, Georgie, fight the disease from his second birthday until his tragic death at the age of 17. I’m supporting the #weartheribbon campaign in his honour. I’m proud to push for kinder treatments to try and ensure other children don’t suffer the way he did and families don’t lose what we have lost.
The reason I wrote this message was because I think no child should ever have to suffer in any way, but especially with cancer. Family means the world to me and I want to do all I can to keep other family’s together. I’d like to think that by raising awareness and more research that this will be achieved.
I am running the London Marathon in April to help raise money for Children with Cancer UK.
I #WearTheRibbon for the 12 children who receive their cancer diagnosis today.
Jen works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events and Community Fundraising team.
I #WearTheRibbon for my cousin Haryy and all the other children affected every day.
Elita works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events and Community Fundraising team.
I #WearTheRibbon for every child fighting cancer.
Jason works at Children with Cancer UK as the Head of Fundraising.
I #WearTheRibbon for vital specialist research that will help keep families together.
Stephanie works at Children with Cancer UK in the Special Events team.
I #WearTheRibbon to raise awareness of childhood cancer, it’s impact on families and the need for ongoing research to help those children who don’t get to ring the bell at the end of treatment like we did. By the time Caroline was diagnosed in March 2017, the tumour in her head was inoperable. If more money were spent on having a ‘lumps and bumps’ doctor in every GP surgery then more children would get earlier diagnoses and more chance of lifesaving operations. Caroline is amazingly in remission, yet without chemo and radiotherapy, she might not be with us at all. Therefore increasing awareness of the need for finance and research into childhood cancer medications and drugs is imperative.
Having been there myself I can understand the enormous shock of receiving the news of your child’s cancer diagnosis. My daughter is doing well three years on but that day is one we shall never forget. We are one of the lucky ones though. There is treatment available for children with my daughters type of cancer. Many people are facing the prospect of losing their children because the current treatment is not working for them and their only hope lies in a clinical trial. Families whose child is accepted into a trial are given the hope of a future with their child.very often its that hope that gives them the strength to continue to support their child on their journey.
Ellie wrote this because she hated some elements of her treatment. She had leukaemia and a bone marrow transplant and suffered a range of side effects of the treatment which has had a lasting effect. She also met others who had different types of cancer and who sadly lost their lives. Sh wishes that there was more that can be done to help save the children who have these cancers.
I #WearTheRibbon for the brave children and families battling cancer. Despite having experienced, first-hand, the emotional strain adult cancer causes to families, I cannot begin to imagine how tough it must be for families experiencing a childhood cancer battle. You’re all incredibly brave and we, at Children with Cancer UK, are here to ensure that one day, every child diagnosed with cancer will ring their end of treatment bell.
Hal works at Children with Cancer UK in the Philanthropy and Events.
I wear my ribbon for my beautiful,brave daughter who has been fighting Ph+ve ALL for the past 18months. She really is my hero! The latest news about CAR-T therapy is amazing,we need more!! Kayla wears her ribbon for all the amazing friends she has made a long the way. Sadly she has said good bye to too many. This needs to change! #TeamKayla #CCAM
My granddaughter Jeanie-May is currently fighting the battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since October 2017. She recently had her leg amputated due to a rare aggressive secondary bone cancer. I wish to celebrate simply bringing more smiles to more children across the country with cancer; as well as better survival rates.
Kim’s card reads; Faith and anyone else who has had and who is going through the hardship of cancer.
I #WearTheRibbon for my daughter Sophie. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lereaukaemia on 26th May 2016 and received her last chemotherapy on Friday 7th September 2018.
My son Kacper, my hero who’s fighting cancer and for kindness and more effective treatments.
I #WearTheRibbon for
Which is exactly the goal and purpose of the funding I am receiving from Children with Cancer UK.
Having gone through cancer myself, I’m hoping that the day will come where a cure is found for all types of cancers. I was part of the Children with Cancer UK London Marathon 2018 team and raised almost £3000, and I am excited to say that I have been selected to run for the charity again in next year’s London Marathon.
I #WearTheRibbon for survivors like me and for nicer treatments with less side effects.
Benji had to endure over three years of steroids and chemotherapy every month, which has caused potentially long term mobility issues. He tires easily, walks flat footed and is prone to trips and falls. We want future treatment to be kinder and have less long term side effects.
I’m wearing the ribbon for my son Niall who was diagnosed with a choroidal melanoma in his right eye last August.
I am happy to support Children with Cancer on behalf of an Instagram friend @selma_the_cav – yes, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that is raising awareness through her Instagram page. You don’t need a personal story, just a willingness to spread the word, raise awareness and donate.
For my granddaughter Lily-May so that she and others like her can get better treatment and earlier diagnosis.
We wear the ribbon for our daughter Amber. Amber was diagnosed in May 2017 with parameningeal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Her facial nerve was badly damaged by the tumour, but her beautiful half smile has been a beacon of light in what has felt like a very dark tunnel.
Ambers determination and resilience has been awe inspiring, despite everything she was going through she managed to attend school in between treatments side effects long hospital stays and chemo. It was so hard. But we are the lucky ones Ambers tumour responded to treatment and although she has a residual mass, it is stable. We watch with our hearts bursting with pride as she plays with her little brother doing all the things siblings should do. Amber is already experiencing side effects from treatment, but at least she is with us. While on this journey we have met so many beautiful children whose treatment did not work, they suffered from the cancer, they suffered from the treatment and they never had the chance to get to the end of the tunnel.
We wear the ribbon for amazing daughter Amber. We wear the ribbon for safer, kinder more effective treatments. We wear the ribbon for those fighting, for the survivors, for the angels and for those about to begin this treacherous journey. We wear the ribbon because all children should have a childhood. We wear the ribbon because getting to the end of treatment shouldn’t leave children with debilitating long term side effects.
I #WearTheRibbon for Yvonne, who works with Emily in the Sports & Events team. In November 2004, Yvonne was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Today Yvonne is happily married with two beautiful children and is the London Marathon Manager
Emily works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events & Community team.
I #WearTheRibbon for myself and all cancer survivors. Yvonne was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in November 2004. Today Yvonne is happily married with two beautiful children and is the London Marathon Manager.
Yvonne works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events & Community team.
I #WearTheRibbon for the families affected by children with cancer.
Brittany works at Children with Cancer UK in the Corporate Partnerships team.
I #WearTheRibbon for all the amazing childhood cancer survivors.
Dhivya is the Chief Executive Office at Children with Cancer UK.
I #WearTheRibbon for a better future for children with cancer.
Hannah works at Children with Cancer UK in the Communications and Marketing team.
I #WearTheRibbon for all the children I worked with in schools that had cancer.
Jaimal works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events & Community team.
I #WearTheRibbon for every brave child going through treatment.
Will works at Children with Cancer UK in the Sports Events & Community team.
I #WearTheRibbon for the 12 children diagnosed today.
Lulu works at Children with Cancer UK in the Direct Marketing team.
I wear my Ribbon because my Niece Ruby has recently been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. She is 12. I wear this to raise more awareness, treatment without too many side effects, and of cause a cure. For all the children that have cancer that they will beat this evil disease and ring the bell.
I #WearTheRibbon for y son who was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2016 aged 13 years.
We #WearTheRibbon for Amber and all the people she met on her journey through cancer.
I #WearTheRibbon for my daughter the brave. For the families in and out of treatment. For the people who have become more than a familiar face and for more research.
I #WearTheRibbon for my daughter
I #WearTheRibbon for my seven year old son Daniel, fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since 16th August 2016 and for all the fighters, survivors and angels.
Zunairah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) on 20 January 2015.
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