September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

They have a certainty that allows them to cope with moments they never imagined, and that couldn't be truer than in Cork mum-of-three Elaine Crowley.

The remarkable mum to three boys recently spoke to Her.ie about the life-changing diagnosis that flipped her and her husband Brian's world upside down.

In 2024, Elaine and her husband Brian's youngest son, Beau, was sadly diagnosed with leukemia at just two-and-a-half years old.

It's a diagnosis no parent ever wants their child to get, but one that Elaine and her husband Brian have not only dealt with with grace, but also with strength and hope.

Elaine explained that Beau's diagnosis came as a total shock, but she knew she and her husband had to hold themselves together for their three young boys, Beau, and his older brothers, Rhys and Ellis.

Elaine explained that her youngest looked paler than usual, but she wasn't overly worried about Beau until he started to get paler and paler. The mum knew in her gut that something wasn't right, so she called her GP immediately, but when they couldn't do bloods, she decided to go to the Mercy Hospital in Cork, and that's when everything changed for her family.

"I just walked into the Mercy Hospital as a patient the following day with a letter from our GP, and they did his blood. And by that evening, he had his diagnosis."

Elaine said you resort to your coping mechanisms and learn to keep going.

The hospital called Elaine and her husband Brian with the news that evening, and as earthshattering as the news was, the mum wanted to make sure her family was okay.

"I told my husband to go out to the garden and play with the lads and to let Beau play with his brothers because I didn't know what was going to happen, but I knew that it was going to be a journey."

"People often ask how you do it, and my simple answer is we don't have a choice, you know, that's what lands on your doorstep."

Elaine said Beau's healthcare team guided them through every step of this devastating journey, which was just what they needed.

"They make sure you know what's happening next, what's coming next, who's going to be in to discuss things with you, and what treatment is coming next."

"You cling to normal bits and pieces, that's how we got through it. You know you need to eat, and you have to drink in order to stay healthy and well. It's not that you want to do these basic things, but you need to because you've got to be there for your little kiddo."

A diagnosis like this has an ongoing effect on every member of the family, but Childhood Cancer Ireland has been there to support Elaine, Brian and their family through it all.

Elaine and her husband Brian attended a parent workshop with Dr. Mairead Brennan in 2024, and the mum said it was a huge help for them.

"Beau is a determined little guy"

Elaine and Brian met other parents who are going through similar experiences, but they could talk outside of the hospital setting when their children are not there.

"You actually have time and space to sit and listen, and chat if you wish. You can share your story if you wish, and it provides a space for parents to actually speak to one another."

"They touch on the parenting side of things and how you deal with having a sick child, as well as the siblings at home. But they also touch on your own relationship as well, within the dynamic of having a sick child."

The support from Childhood Cancer Ireland has been essential for Elaine and Brian, but it's the support from family, friends and neighbours that has helped them keep their heads up high.

"It's not normal to have to take bloods every Monday and chemo every day."

Elaine added, "You feel very validated in your worries and your thoughts, as crazy as they seemed sometimes."

Beau is now in maintenance and is a "determined little guy" who is loving his new chapter in playschool and continues to play with his older brothers.

They may be in maintenance now, and Elaine and Brian hoped this would be like normal life, but it's not. It's not normal to have to take bloods every Monday and chemo every day. She said steroid week comes around very quickly, but Beau is a remarkable little boy.

Beau is a little boy who loves Paw Patrol and loves to build Lego and play on the trampoline with his big brothers.

"Daddy is a farmer, so he loves spending time out on the farm with Brian. He will be quite happy to sit in a tractor for ages," Elaine gushed.

"Beau is an outgoing, social little fellow who loves preschool and runs in the door in the morning. He's affectionate and friendly, and is taking this all in his stride," Elaine shared.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and to mark this, Childhood Cancer Ireland is shining a light on what it means to live with, and beyond childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer.

Childhood Cancer Ireland is a parent and survivor-led organisation that understands the impact that a diagnosis of childhood cancer has on the entire family; and supports them in a number of different ways including a psychosocial programme; parent workshops; access to play therapy; parent peer support; and Beads of Courage. 

For further information visit https://childhoodcancer.ie/.