In the early 1970's Sr. Fidelma, RIP, Ward Sister in the Children's Unit of the Mercy Hospital and Dr. S. O'Donoghue, Paediatrician, were acutely aware of the lack of facilities in the Munster region for children suffering from leukaemia. So together with a number of willing helpers they began the arduous task of raising funds to set up a Protective Isolation Unit. This was how the Children's Leukaemia Association started. In 1981 the Unit was opened and children with leukaemia from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford no longer had to travel to Dublin for the life-saving treatment as it was now available in the Mercy Hospital under the competent care of Dr. O'Donoghue, Sr. Fidelma and her nursing staff.

Today the Children's Leukaemia Unit is run by a dedicated multi-disciplinary team who provide the very highest standard of care possible ensuring that both children and families are cared for in a comfortable and homely environment.

The Children's Leukaemia Association has grown over the last ten years and is now a limited company and a registered charity. It is funded totally on donations and fundraising initiatives carried out on a voluntary basis. No professional fundraisers are engaged by the Association.

What is the Children’s Leukaemia Association all about?

The diagnosis of leukaemia has a profound effect on a child, their families and friends. The Children’s Leukaemia Association supports and assists families in any way possible during the course of on-going treatment.

How the Association makes a difference:

• It provides home-from-home holistic accommodation for families who have to travel long distances while their child is being treated in hospital.
  
  
• The Association funds additional nursing staff at critical periods during the child’s illness.
  
  
• Provides financial support when problems or acute needs are experienced during the course of treatment for leukaemia, cancer or other serious blood disorders.
  
  
• Provides essential medical equipment.
  
  
• Provides for the exceptional needs of children with Leukaemia and other family members such as Play Therapy, Counselling and other therapy services.
  
  
• Organises and funds a trip to Lourdes for the child and parent after treatment.
  
  
• Organises special outing for children and their families including a Christmas Party, Parents Night Out and a Family Day Trip.
  
  
• Funds Leukaemia Research focusing on quality of life for the child and family.
  
  
• Funds educational support for staff who work in the Children’s Leukaemia Unit.
  
  
• The Children’s Leukaemia Association funds a Group Programme for siblings of sick children to help them cope with their brother’s or sister’s illness. This programme is coordinated by a Social Worker and Counsellor and is very successful.
  
  
• In 2010 the charity funded a new part time private tutor for the Children in the unit.