12 September 2019

Trust joins new cancer coalition working together for young people

“25 children and young people's cancer charities with more energy than 25 power stations.”

Trust CEO Frank Fletcher (left) with Kate Lee, CLIC Sargent CEO (right)That was how CLIC Sargent CEO, Kate Lee, described the first ever all member meeting of the new Children & Young People Cancer Coalition (@CoalitionCypc) on Tuesday (10 September), and our very own Frank Fletcher was in the thick of it all.

The Coalition, formed of registered charities and launched earlier this year, aims to make things better for children and young people with cancer through speaking with a unified voice. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust was one of the founding members.

This week’s event was all about bringing together a wide range of passionate organisations to talk about how they support and work with children and young people with cancer and their families.

Amongst the topics for discussion were how the Coalition can present a united front to the NHS and the government to lobby on key issues, improving the signposting of relevant services to young people and their families, and how charities in the sector can support each other to help the sector to become more time and cost efficient.

The takeaway message was "together we can be stronger". Frank, who is Deputy Chair of the Coalition, believes the Coalition can only benefit young people on treatment and in recovery.

Charity members of the Children & Young People Cancer CoalitionHe said: “The Coalition is all about the young people we work with. Our aim is for parents to know, that whatever stage their child is at, all the relevant services and charities are working together to get the best outcomes for their child.

“This event was a great opportunity to meet with all those cancer charities working with young people to start the discussion around the Coalition’s priorities and to share best practice. It’s about removing barriers and all being able to do more as a sector to support those that really need us.”

Young founders and Trustees including, Trust volunteer, Jack Broadley – CEO of @BaggyTrousersUK, which supports people directly affected by testicular cancer - mingled with long-time charity leaders, as everyone shared their experience, knowledge and passion for supporting young people affected by cancer.

The Coalition’s next meeting scheduled for October. Follow @CoalitionCypc on Twitter to stay up to date.