Helping cancer kids kickstart their lives

THE mother of a teenage girl who died from cancer has vowed to help other teenagers battling the disease receive more support.

Emily Pierce was 19 when she lost her fight against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Emily's mum, Joanne, says there should be more resources available to teenagers diagnosed with cancer in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Led by Ms Pierce, family and friends of Emily have launched the Kickstart TYA cancer support charity on what would have been Emily's 22nd birthday.

Ms Pierce, of Skidby, said: "Coping with cancer is as much about the psychological aspect as the physical and I realise now how much difference to Emily that would have made."

During her battle with cancer, Emily was invited to a forum group, organised by The Teenage Cancer Trust, to discuss what patients her own age wanted from the teenage unit when it opened at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.

Emily died before the unit opened.

Ms Pierce said: "We formed Kickstart because we want to build on the success of The Teenage Cancer Trust locally, by giving the extra help and support that wasn't there for Emily.

"We had so little experience of a specialist teenage ward that I didn't see the true value of it until I looked a little closer. That's when I started to realise that it's not just about the bright coloured walls, internet access and having fancy equipment – that's all great, but that is just the setting for the real difference these units make.

"It's about being around other people who know how you feel and what you are going through.

"It's also about having something to look forward to, finding something positive to take your mind off the negatives.

"It may not have changed the outcome for Emily, but it could have made her last 14 months so much better."

Kickstart will host and provide funding for activities, workshops, seminars and events to help those aged 16 to 24 through their treatment and recovery.