Recovery Haven Kerry will facilitate a free webinar this coming Friday (June 11), for parents concerned about the effects a cancer diagnosis in the family is having on their children.

‘Helping Hand – Parenting Through Cancer’ will be hosted by award-winning child and adolescent psychologist, Edel Lawlor, of Expressive Play and aims to offer support, advice and guidance to parents who are concerned about the impact a cancer diagnosis may be having on their children.

Edel has worked with Recovery Haven Kerry for a number of years, offering one-to-one therapy to children affected by cancer, as well as facilitating the charity’s CLIMB programme for children aged five to 12 who are experiencing the impact of a parent’s cancer diagnosis.

She explained that the upcoming webinar is open to anyone impacted by cancer where children are involved.

“The aim of the webinar is to help parents explain cancer in a child-friendly way, whether the person diagnosed is the parent themselves, a sibling, an aunt, uncle or grandparent,” Edel said. “We want to help parents explain cancer to their children in a way that is manageable and easy for them to understand, while also helping parents to recognise the signs of stress in their children as they deal with a cancer diagnosis of a significant person in their life.”

The webinar will take place via Zoom at 11am and anyone interested in attending is asked to contact Recovery Haven Kerry on 066 7192122 to register.