Conference Programme
2026 Theme: The F Words!
Draft Programme
Registration & Networking
Refreshments served on arrival, with time to view the poster presentations and visit the exhibition stands and art exhibition.
Keynote Address
Presentation 1, title TBC
Presentation 2, title TBC
Presentation 3, title TBC
Breakout session
Coffee Break
Round Table Discussion
This interactive round table discussion will explore how the “F Words” - Functioning, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future - can help shape experiences, supports and survivorship in childhood cancer.
Bringing together young people, parents, healthcare professionals, researchers and support organisations, the session will provide an opportunity to share perspectives, challenges and ideas around supporting children and young people beyond treatment.
Discussions will focus on quality of life, participation, wellbeing and the importance of looking at the whole person, not just the diagnosis. The round table format will encourage open conversation, shared learning and collaboration, helping participants reflect on how the F Words can be applied in practice across healthcare, education, psychosocial support and everyday life.
Lunch
Welcome back
Remembrance
Panel discussion
Building Your Wellbeing Toolkit
This interactive workshop for adolescents, young adults who have or had cancer, and their siblings will explore wellbeing through the “F Words” framework — Functioning, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future.
Using creative mind-mapping activities, participants will build their own personal wellbeing toolkit, reflecting on where they are now, what matters most to them and where they would like to be in the future. Together, they will identify small, achievable steps that can help them work towards their goals while recognising the strengths, supports and activities that already help them cope and thrive.
The workshop is designed to be relaxed, engaging and fun, while also creating space for connection, self-expression and shared experiences with others who understand the impact of childhood cancer on young people and families.
Research Symposium
The session will provide an opportunity to explore the unique challenges of social research in childhood cancer, including family engagement, recruitment, communication and collaboration. Participants will discuss practical approaches to working with children, young people and families in sensitive and meaningful ways, while also identifying opportunities to build stronger partnerships and improve how researchers work together.
As a relatively small but important research community, the symposium aims to encourage collaboration, shared learning and the development of supportive networks that can help advance research and improve experiences for children, young people and families affected by cancer.
These breakout sessions are 45 minutes each and are repeated after the coffee break, giving everyone a chance to attend both sessions.
Understanding Late Effects
This workshop will provide an overview of potential late effects following childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer treatment. The session will discuss different types of late effects, advances in survivorship care and the importance of follow-up monitoring, information-sharing and self-advocacy.
Small Skills, Big Impact: Supporting Executive Function Skills After Childhood Cancer
Coffee to Go
Understanding Late Effects
Small Skills, Big Impact: Supporting Executive Function Skills After Childhood Cancer
Speaker / Facilitator Bios
Professor Michael Capra
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, CHI at Crumlin
Michael Capra graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, following which he completed his postgraduate paediatric and specialist paediatric oncology training in the United Kingdom.
He obtained his Masters in Medical Education in 2000 prior to commencing his Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Fellowship in The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto in 2001. He was appointed on staff at the same institution in 2003, a post he held until 2006, when he relocated to Dublin to take up a Paediatric Oncology Consultant post in CHI at Crumlin.
Michael is a Clinical Professor of Trinity College Dublin, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and a member of multiple collaborative childhood cancer organisations, including the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
Dr Mairead Brennan
Director of Psychosocial Services, Childhood Cancer Ireland
Dr Mairead Brennan, Principal Clinical Psychologist has 10 years of experience of working within Psycho-Oncology services across children, adolescents, young adults and adults. She completed her Clinical Doctorate training in University of Galway in 2015.
Mairead worked in Cancer Care West in Galway for eight years, during which time she developed a hospital-based service within the Galway Clinic and a community-based family service within Cancer Care West.
Since 2023, Mairead has developed and co-facilitated a one-day Psychoeducational Workshop for Parents following their child’s cancer treatment with Childhood Cancer Ireland.
Dr Lisa Carey
Assistant Director, Center for Innovation and Leadership in Special Education, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Dr. Lisa Carey is an education specialist and researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Lisa and her colleague Dr. Lisa Jacobson established the Hospital School Liaison Program (HELP) in 2020 to support communication between schools and healthcare teams about educational needs during and after childhood cancer. Her research focuses on the intersection of pediatric medicine and primary /post-primary education with a target of improving the quality of educational experiences for children and adolescents who have experienced cancer and other serious illnesses.
Aoife Moggan
Childhood cancer survivor and advocate and curator of the CAYAS art exhibition
Aoife is a podcast enthusiast and boxset binger. She is happiest when people watching, exploring new places, being creative and catching up with friends and family over endless cups of tea. Aoife was diagnosed with a spinal Astrocytoma at 13 and has been on the complicated, difficult and privileged road that is illness and survivorship for the last 25 years. A journey that she believes, along with her psychology degree, has put her in good stead to become a patient advocate – a role that Aoife is very proud to hold for Childhood Cancer Ireland.
Dr Margaret Flood
Assistant Professor in Inclusive Education at Maynooth University
Dr Margaret Flood is an Assistant Professor in Inclusive Education at Maynooth University and Academic Advisor for the Maynooth Access Programme. With a background in teaching, curriculum and policy development, and teacher professional learning, Margaret is passionate about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and inclusive education. As a Fulbright Scholar, she collaborated with CAST and Boston College on UDL Guidelines 3.0. A former Education Officer at the NCCA, Margaret has led national inclusive curriculum initiatives. All of this has informed her thinking around creating inclusive spaces for children returning to school with or after treatment for complex health conditions, such as cancer. Margaret also hosts the podcast Talking about all things Inclusion.
CAYAS 2026 Programme Committee
We are very grateful for the time and expertise of our programme committee, who have supported the development of this year’s programme and lent their time generously. Our programme committee is comprised of a mix of clinicians, parents and survivors, helping to ensure that our content is varied, with the patient voice always at the centre.
Laura Cullinan
CEO of Childhood Cancer Ireland and parent of a survivor
Laura joined the Board of Childhood Cancer Ireland in 2014, after her daughter Isobel was diagnosed with cancer at only 21 months old. Laura played a committed role on the Board of Directors for almost seven years, before becoming the first CEO of the charity in late 2022.
Having experienced a child’s diagnosis, treatment and the long-term effects first hand, Laura is passionate about supporting families and survivors at all stages and to establishing and delivering programmes that will ensure the long-term wellbeing of families and survivors. She believes that increased public awareness of childhood cancer will ultimately lead to more funding and research, early diagnosis, improved survival rates and fewer side effects from treatment. Laura has a background in financial services.
Evelyn Griffith
Manager of CanTeen Ireland
Evelyn is qualified as a nurse (RGN) in 1997 and worked on the oncology ward in the Mater Hospital for over 18 months before travelling to Australia for a year. She started working with CanTeen in May 2001 and has been working with young people with cancer for over 20 years. Evelyn has also trained in holistic therapies – holistic massage, reflexology and Indian head massage and in 2014 received her BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from PCI College & Middlesex University, working as a psychotherapist on a part-time basis.
Patricia McColgan
Voluntary Director of Childhood Cancer Ireland and parent of a survivor
Patricia’s son Rory was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008. After the completion of his treatment, it became clear that there were no follow-up supports in place to help survivors enjoy the best possible quality of life and to address the late effects of treatment. Patricia co-founded CanCare4Living with fellow parent Garry Owens, to advocate for survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer. She is passionate about the power of collaboration and keeping the voice of those with lived experience central to any discussion about them.
CanCare4Living merged with Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland in August 2022 and Patricia continues that work now under the charity’s new name of Childhood Cancer Ireland.
Professor Michael Capra
Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, CHI at Crumlin
Michael Capra graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, following which he completed his postgraduate paediatric and specialist paediatric oncology training in the United Kingdom.
He obtained his Masters in Medical Education in 2000 prior to commencing his Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Fellowship in The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto in 2001. He was appointed on staff at the same institution in 2003, a post he held until 2006, when he relocated to Dublin to take up a Paediatric Oncology Consultant post in CHI at Crumlin.
Michael is a Clinical Professor of Trinity College Dublin, a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) and a member of multiple collaborative childhood cancer organisations, including the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
Marie Healy
Chartered Physiotherapist, Research Fellow & Project Manager at Trinity College Dublin
Ciara Brady
Young Adult Cancer Survivor
Ciara was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was 23 and completed treatment in March 2025.
She found that connecting with other adolescents and young adults gave her invaluable support, understanding, and friendship. Now, she hopes to help bring people together and create that same sense of connection for others – Ní neart go cur le chéile
Jane McCarthy
Project Manager/CNM2 for National Cancer Survivorship Programmes within the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
Jane worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psycho-Oncology and has over 13 years’ experience across oncology, palliative care, psycho-oncology, mental health and survivorship services. Her clinical and leadership work has focused on supporting individuals and families living with and beyond cancer through compassionate, evidence-informed psychosocial care and survivorship interventions.
In her current national role with the National Cancer Control Programme, Jane coordinates and manages survivorship initiatives including Cancer Thriving and Surviving, Empower Cancer and Menopause, CLIMB, CUBS and Building Better Caregivers.
This combined expertise has strengthened her understanding of the psychological, emotional and existential impact of cancer across the illness trajectory, as well as her personal experience of cancer of young person and older adult within her family.
Jane is currently completing an MA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at ICHAS.
Eoin Cronly
Childhood cancer survivor
Eoin is a 23-year old college graduate, 11 years in remission. He has a avid interest in hiking, exercise, games and music.
Peter Coughlan
Parent of a childhood cancer survivor
Register Now
The CAYAS conference is aimed at anyone who has been impacted by childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer and anyone who is working in the area or has a research interest in this topic.
Content and workshops on the day are aimed at:
- Parents
- Young people (age 14+ approx) currently in treatment or who are survivors of childhood cancer
- Siblings (age 14+ approx)
- Anyone involved in caring for families impacted by childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer or those researching the field
- Charities and other organisations supporting families
Registration is free and all who have been impacted by or are involved with childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer are welcome to attend. The conference and is aimed at ages 14+ approximately. If you have any questions please contact us at info@cayasireland.ie
Kindly supported by
We are grateful for the support of CHI at Crumlin and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), both of whom have recognised the value of this conference from the beginning and lend their expertise and support to ensure that the patient voice is heard and valued.