Financial guidance for families with a child cancer diagnosis

FAMILIES who are grappling with the financial challenges that a diagnosis of childhood cancer brings are being offered expert financial guidance and support provided by LIA volunteers.

LIA, recognised as a centre of excellence for the education and development of finance professionals, was originally founded in Britain in 1972 and the first Irish region was established in Cork in 1978.

The organisation has recently announced details of a partnership with Childhood Cancer Ireland, that will see LIA members volunteer their expertise, as part of their Gold Ribbon Volunteering Programme.

The initiative aims to make a meaningful impact to the financial position of families affected by childhood cancer through the financial guidance and support of the volunteers.

“A diagnosis of cancer in a child often leads to a reduction in the family’s average income due to the loss of one income-earner’s contribution,” said Childhood Cancer Ireland CEO Laura Cullinan.

“Although cancer treatments for young patients are provided at no cost in Ireland, these families still encounter substantial additional expenses including medications, counselling, play therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, placing a considerable financial burden on them.”

Through this new partnership, LIA members holding the QFA or CFP professional designations, can volunteer to either provide critical financial planning advice and support to families in need to help them better manage their financial situation during and after treatment; or to participate as a speaker at any number of regional parent and survivor workshops to share their knowledge and expertise.

CEO and executive director of LIA, Joanne Keane, said the decision to partner with Childhood Cancer Ireland “was an easy one”.

“Too many young children are still being diagnosed with cancer on a weekly basis, and Childhood Cancer Ireland provides unwavering support to them and their families throughout this difficult time.

“The impact of such a diagnosis is wide-reaching, and the ability of families to keep their head above water financially can be a real challenge.

“LIA’s community of members, as qualified finance professionals, are ideally equipped to ease the burden placed on affected families, by giving of their time, on a voluntary basis, to assist them navigate the financial challenges as they arise and to support them, so that they can look forward to a financially secure future.

“We look forward to supporting the work of Childhood Cancer Ireland into the future,” she added.

Childhood Cancer Ireland, founded in 2013, is the national parent- and survivor-led charity representing the voice of children and young people with cancer, as well as survivors and their families.

The charity’s aim is to ease the burden of diagnosis and treatment on children and their families by providing practical and emotional support throughout the journey.

Ms Cullinan described the collaboration with LIA as “more than a partnership”.

“It’s a shared vision to touch lives, inspire change, and foster a community where expertise meets empathy in the most impactful way; and we are grateful to LIA for sharing the vision to make this a reality,” she said.