Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia

The Rotary Club of St Andrews met by Zoom and after normal business the members had a talk from Biz Logan, a Committee Member of the charity Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia ( TCCL )

The charity has been providing quality support to families with children who suffer from Cancer or Leukaemia since 1994 and is run entirely by volunteers.

Biz told us that the diagnosis of Cancer or Leukaemia in a child causes tremendous stress for families who struggle physically, practically, and financially with the intensive, intrusive treatment regime and the inevitable disruption it brings to family life.

Biz told us that at any one time in Tayside there are around 20-25 children diagnosed with cancer. The treatment is long and complicated and can take years but happily 75% -85% of the children are cured.

TCCL aims to help the children and families with psychosocial, travel and holiday support.

The charity offers financial help in terms of travel grants to get parents to and from treatment if their child is in hospital away from home and also grants to families who need support to make family life easier. The children have treat days when they are able to choose to perhaps  go horse riding ,have a golf lesson or attend a pantomime.

TCCL Lodge in St Andrews is a holiday home for families affected by childhood cancer treatment or Leukaemia. The Lodge can offer up to a weeks break in St Andrews, free of charge, for families facing the difficulties of caring for their child.

TCCL depends on faithful fundraisers who raise money through many sponsored events and by highlighting the work of the charity to the public at large.

At the moment the aim is to fundraise for the building of a Gazebo in the grounds of the Lodge.

This should add to the outdoor play facilities for the children holidaying in the Lodge.

President John Christie thanked Biz for giving such an informative talk about this local charity.

 As a committee member, Biz has put a lot of work into fundraising to create and maintain this respite lodge in St Andrews.