A mother whose young daughter had brain cancer three times said unexpected financial pressures from childhood cancer can be “overwhelming” on top of the health fears. Michelle Kelly’s daughter Sophia was first diagnosed with cancer in late 2017, aged just three. Every parent’s worst nightmare"Hearing your child has cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare.”Michelle and her partner stopped working to look after their daughter. Today marks International Childhood Cancer Day and Michelle has called on people to think about these vital supports for families. Amy Nolan, director of clinical affairs at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “No parent is ever prepared to hear the words, ‘your child has cancer’.

Source: Irish Examiner February 16, 2026 17:05 UTC