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It’s almost impossible to put into words just how horrific it is to witness the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on your own child. These treatments are developed for adults but are used on children, often with devastating consequences. That’s why, in many cases, even when children survive cancer, they are left with lifelong complications from the treatment. This should never be considered a success—or a cure.

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Had Sophie survived, we knew the long-term side effects would have been extensive. She received radiotherapy across her entire abdomen, which caused serious and irreversible damage to previously healthy organs.

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The reason there have been so few advancements in treatment for cancers like Sophie’s comes down largely to one issue: funding—or the lack of it. There simply aren’t enough researchers or scientists focused on childhood cancer. Most go into adult cancer research, where funding is more abundant. Childhood cancer research urgently needs to be prioritised, and more incentives are needed to develop new, safer treatments.

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Unlike many adult cancers, childhood cancers are rarely linked to lifestyle or environmental factors—yet this area continues to receive the least amount of funding and research attention.

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Just ten days after Sophie died, Charlotte met with her MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, and pleaded with her to help us drive change. Since that moment, she has remained firmly committed to advancing Sophie’s wishes.

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In April 2022, thanks to Caroline’s tireless efforts, Sophie’s Legacy secured the first-ever debate on childhood cancer in the House of Commons, held on 26th April 2022. It received cross-party support, with 22 MPs sharing the stories of families whose children were in remission or had sadly passed away due to cancer.

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After two years of relentless campaigning by myself and Dame Caroline Dinenage, the UK Government announced the formation of the Children and Young People’s Cancer Taskforce in April 2024. This taskforce brings together experts in paediatric oncology—including scientists, researchers, philanthropists, oncologists, parents, and childhood cancer survivors—all united by a single goal: to save lives and reduce the long-term impact of cancer on young people. The resulting Children and Young People’s Cancer Plan will focus on improving research, early diagnosis, access to world-class treatment, survivorship quality, and patient experience.

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However, in September 2024, the newly elected government made the decision to pause the taskforce. Charlotte immediately demanded a meeting with the Health Secretary to understand why. In November 2024, Caroline and Charlotte met with Wes Streeting and other health ministers and the Department of Health and Social Care team at Westminster. After a 45-minute conversation, Wes Streeting agreed to restart the taskforce.

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The first meeting of the reformed taskforce was held in March 2025, with representation from across the field to improve outcomes for children and young people affected by cancer. Sub-groups were created to focus on the key pillars of the plan. Charlotte was not only appointed to the main taskforce, but also invited to chair the Patient Voice group, which ensures families and survivors are at the heart of every decision.

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Since then, Charlotte has attended regular meetings, and the taskforce’s recommendations will be formally included in the upcoming 10-Year Cancer Plan. It is our hope—and our mission—that this finally moves the dial forward for childhood cancer in the UK.

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We are incredibly proud of how one little girl’s story has created a national movement.

Our children deserve so much more:

More research.
Faster diagnoses.
More funding.
And a chance at being cured—without a lifetime of suffering.