Supporting Siblings of Terminally Ill Children

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.

Looking back, Georgina remembers when she caught a virus and thought nothing of it but when Sophia, her four year old daughter, caught it, she suffered, “ten times worse.”

At first doctors didn’t know what was wrong with Sophia, considering it might be malaria or sickle cell syndrome before finally diagnosing her with leukaemia. The gravity of the situation only hit Georgia seven months later, when she hit rock bottom. “I was just trying to deal with life hour by hour, let alone day by day. I think the mind protects itself and goes into shock so you do what you have to, you do what you’re told.”

Sophia went through almost three years of treatment but looking at her now, you’d never think that this bright and bubbly little girl was ever so very ill. Her mum still remembers how Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity helped her through. “I had no idea there was that sort of help out there. They were so practical and helpful.”

Monica, one of our Family Support Workers, fetched Francesca from school so that she didn’t have to miss out on her education. If she hadn’t been there to help, Sophia’s illness would have had a detrimental effect on Francesca too and Georgina didn’t want to burden her by having her miss out on nursery. Knowing that Francesca was being collected and safe took some of the stress off of her mum’s shoulders. I felt safe leaving my child with Monica, I trusted her to take care of Francesca and I knew she was very fond of her.”

A parent of a child with a terminal or life threatening illness is naturally overwhelmed with the sudden changes that the illness brings into their daily life. Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Workers understand. “Monica knew what was needed, she anticipated what I was going through and when and she helped me manage it all. It was hard to believe that there was an organisation out there that could help with things like that.” That practical help relieves so much stress in an emotionally charged situation and parents often tell us that the relief is overwhelming.

Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Workers work with all the family, supporting them in whatever way they need. Donations make this possible for over 2,300 families and their seriously ill child so we’re grateful for each and every donation we receive.