Who we are

When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything, for them and their family. At a time when they should be busy being children, enjoying their rollercoaster teenage years or finding their feet at uni, life becomes full of fear. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, of overwhelming money worries, mental health stretched to breaking point, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we get that. We are the charity that helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.

We know everyone’s different, so we work hard to make sure each family has what they need to get through cancer. It could be a financial grant for a parent struggling to keep their child warm through their treatment or for a young person who can’t afford to get to hospital. Or helping a family stay together at one of our free Homes from Home close to the hospital where their child is having treatment.

And if we think families aren’t being heard by the whole system, we’re not afraid to raise their voices or shout on their behalf. Children and young people with cancer deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. We’ll always have their back, because we’ve been there before.

Powered by the kindness of our supporters, we’ll face it all together.

Our vision 

Everyone under 25 with cancer, and their families, will get the support and help they need during their cancer treatment and beyond, including bereaved families living with emotional pain. 

We want them to thrive, not just survive, and for everyone to join in that mission.

Our values 

Our values are at the heart of how we act as an organisation and who we are. 

We are brave
We are confident
We have integrity
We are one team 

We need to be brave and confident with integrity – to make sure there is evidence behind what we are saying. We need to work collaboratively as a team – in the charity, with families, and with partner organisations.

Powered by the kindness of our supporters, we will help families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.

Our work

  • The six ways we help

    We help families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them. This is how we do it.

    Read about the six ways we help
  • Our Impact

    Over the last year, we've transformed our services so we can help secure equity for all young cancer patients. It's...

    Read about our impact
  • What’s next?

    What kind of future do children and young people with cancer and their families really need?

    Read about what’s next?