Supporting Siblings of Terminally Ill Children

My brother, Mark, and I have always been close right from when he was small, so when he was diagnosed with cancer it was a terrible shock. I was in the middle of exams at the time so my parents didn’t want to tell me until they’d finished although I think I did know it was something serious but just couldn’t accept it. With everything that had been happening my exam results were much worse than expected but I didn’t know how to explain to my teachers how difficult things had been at home.

We then met Vilja, a Family Support Worker from the Rainbow Trust, who came once a week to support the whole family. Sometimes she would take my sister and me out or Mark with my mum or dad. I’d become very depressed and anxious with OCD symptoms, always washing my hands, but was able to see a therapist which helped a great deal. Vilja would talk to me about all the things that were going on in my life, about school and my plans for the future. She’d also explain about Mark’s treatment and appointments as my mum found it difficult to talk about.

Vilja brought our family together, talking to us all and mending bridges that had broken with the stress. She has given me so much moral support as well as helping my parents and brother with hospital visits. She has helped them feel more relaxed which means I can feel more relaxed too.

It’s really good to have an adult who understands, who doesn’t judge you or the situation. Vilja supports me in so many ways, though there never seems to be enough time for all the things I want to talk about. I know there are so many families that need Rainbow Trust’s support so her time is limited but she has helped our family so much. And Mark is doing really well now, too!

Thank you so much for supporting children with serious illnesses by funding our projects to give quality time to children and their families at a difficult time in their lives.

Sabrina is one of our Family Support Workers, in the North East Team:
“Working for Rainbow Trust humbles me, it keeps my feet on the ground and reminds me of what is important in life. The families that I support are allowing me into their lives at what is likely to be their worst times, this is precious. I support people of different ages and with different conditions and if I can make their day a little easier, help make happy memories or create a smile then it’s a job well done!”

Our Family Support Workers help children to keep up at school, as well as enjoy days out with siblings or time to talk to someone who understands what they are going through. They help the family get to hospital appointments and stay with them through long treatments, so they aren’t alone.

Sabrina supports Nicola, whose daughter Sophie was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago:

“My husband Paul and I have three daughters and our world was turned upside down. But it was thanks to Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity that were able to face the difficult road ahead.

One morning I met Sabrina, a Family Support Worker, at hospital. She explained how Rainbow Trust helps families like mine. Within weeks, Sabrina was driving the girls to school so they didn’t miss out on their studies. It meant that Paul could go to work and I could stay with Sophie at the hospital so she wouldn’t be alone.

Soon after Sophie’s diagnosis, she was admitted to intensive care and put into a coma while her body tried to fight several serious infections. We were told that she’d have to wake up on her own, if she was going to survive. Just days before Christmas, Sabrina arrived at the hospital with presents for the girls. I’d been in hospital with Sophie so I hadn’t had time to shop and we’d all but cancelled Christmas. Then, on Boxing Day, we had the best present of all. Sophie opened her eyes.

Since then, she’s been responding so well to treatment that she’s ending chemotherapy in January. Sabrina has been with us every step of the way, giving the girls time to enjoy childhood and being there for me too, when I needed someone to talk to, who understood how difficult it was to juggle hospital, school, work and home life.”

Please spread some Christmas joy this festive season and donate to Rainbow Trust’s project to help raise funds to reach more families who are caring for a seriously ill child.