Charity aiming to make Gloucestershire parents more aware of early signs of cancer in children
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust has launched its You Know Them Best awareness campaign aimed to help parents to recognise the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer
A childhood cancer charity is looking to help parents to learn more about the early signs and symptoms of cancer among children with a focus to improve their levels of being able to recognise them.
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, which supports families in Gloucestershire, has launched its You Know Them Best campaign after a study suggested only three out of 10 parents feel able to spot the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.
Founded in 2016 following the passing of four-year-old Grace Elizabeth Kelly two years earlier from a rare type of cancer, the charity has to date helped over 500 families across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Chief executive officer and Grace's mum Dr Jen Kelly has said knowing the signs and symptoms and what to look for could make such a difference.
"Most of the time, any symptoms that a child has will be caused by normal common childhood illnesses, but in the event that it is cancer, spotting the signs and signs and symptoms early can help make it more treatable," she said.
"The campaign is designed to be reassuring and it empowers parents to speak up if they're concerned and it's built on the latest medical evidence written and reviewed by medics."
Due to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, the work is part of the trust's aim which is to make a difference to children facing childhood cancer while fulfilling Grace’s wish of helping others.
Dr Kelly said what they do was created from their experiences.
"It gave us an insight into the world of the impact that childhood cancer has on families, but also what things may work well from the point of view of professionals, and the charity was very much set up to help bridge that gap between families and medical professionals," she said.
"It's very much holding their hand through the journey, giving families the support they need and ensuring that no family faces childhood cancer alone."
On the support their services provide, she added: "We are looking at expanding further, basically because of the increased need for our services.
"There's been a 69% increase in demand for our services over the last 12 to 18 months, so the charity is having to grow to meet that demand."
Further support
Further support and advice can be found on the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust website.