“The Family Room We Called Home”
See childhood cancer through a mother’s eyes, and how your generosity for the St Luke’s Family Room provided a haven and home at a tough time. Thank you.
“Last year our son Calum was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma – a rare and potentially life-threatening cancer of the eye. His specialist Dr Noel Horgan told us Calum would need a type of treatment at St Luke’s called plaque radiation.
As a family of five from Cork, we had so many questions and fears. Where would we stay? Who would care for our twin girls? Calum’s treatment meant my husband Andrew and I couldn’t stay with him for long stretches due to the radiation risk. The stress was enormous.
Our worries soon lessened when Agnus from St Luke’s rang to offer us a Family Room. When we arrived, we were welcomed so warmly by Nurse Maggie. Calum still speaks of Maggie’s kindness, and on her last shift, he thanked her for looking after me (his mum) so well.”
A home and sanctuary for the week
“But little did we know that clean, bright, and beautifully decorated Family Room would become our home and sanctuary for the week – a place where I didn’t need to be brave or strong for Calum, a place where I could meet with the physics teams, Dr. Horgan, and even the priest after Calum’s second operation when I was alone and scared for him. Everyone including the cleaning and catering staff offered comfort and support, and we’re forever grateful.
By the following week Calum was free of radiation. And in this Family Room we called home, together for the first time, life seemed normal. Calum called his grandparents. We made tea, beans, and toast. We watched TV together. I can’t express enough how important that Family Room became to us – and it was then I promised I would give back and do something in the hope that another family could have a room like we did, a private space to wash, rest, and be together without the business of hospital life around them.”
Together, Laura’s family and community have raised over €16,300 to support The Friends of St Luke’s for St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network – multiplying your love and generosity for cancer care in lasting, life-affirming ways. Thank you!