He was diagnosed with cancer in December 2023 after he had just started university.
A Northern Ireland student has opened up about how a home from home support service helped in his recovery from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Young Lives vs Cancer first opened the doors to their Belfast Home from Home Amy’s House in early 2016. Ten years on, staff, supporters from the community, young people with cancer and families who have previously stayed at the Home have gathered to celebrate the milestone anniversary and the support it has provided over the past decade.
They include Romeo, who was studying music at Ulster University in Derry when he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a form of bone or soft tissue cancer that primarily occurs in children and young adults, at 18 years old in December 2023.
READ MORE: ‘I was diagnosed with this hidden disease after months of unexplained pain and uncertainty’READ MORE: ‘Don’t be embarrassed about bowel cancer, get help before it’s too late’
Now 21, he stayed at Amy’s House for eight months during the entire duration of his treatment whenever he wasn’t in hospital.
Romeo said: “Amy’s House made one of the greatest impacts on my treatment outside of the actual treatment in hospital. At the time with most of my friends starting university, I was on my own. Without Amy’s house I would have likely struggled to find a place to live while undergoing treatment. Now I’m currently recovering still and trying to manage the after-effects of my surgery from cancer as well as the fatigue I have along with it to this day.”
Young Lives vs Cancer is the leading UK charity for children and young people (0–25) with cancer and their families. Amy’s House is one of Young Lives vs Cancer’s ten Homes from Home across the UK, and one of two in Northern Ireland. Each Home provides young people and families with a free place to stay nearby to where they or their child is having cancer treatment.
Treatment can often be a long way from home, which can be stressful and expensive so being able to stay at a Home from Home lessens that stress and helps families stay together.
Since opening in 2016, more than 700 families have stayed at Amy’s House. It is located just a short walk away from Belfast City Hospital and has five ensuite bedrooms for families to use. The Home also has communal areas, with a fully equipped kitchen and lounge areas, allowing families to meet, talk and share experiences with each other if they want to.
Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “This anniversary celebrates an incredibly special and vital service our charity provides in Northern Ireland. We wouldn’t be here and able to provide our Home from Home without our supporters and everyone who donates. We want to thank the community for their continued support.
“When a child or young person is diagnosed, they are often miles from their home, their family and friends. We know how much having their families able to stay close by to them in hospital helps, and the financial pressures Amy’s House eases for young people.
“We’re thankful we’ve been able to support young people with cancer and so many families in Northern Ireland at Amy’s House, and it’s been a special occasion hearing the impact the Home from Home has had over the past decade. Thank you to all our supporters, incredible house staff and social workers for everything they do to help be there for children and young people with cancer.”
To celebrate the ten-year milestone, Young Lives vs Cancer staff were joined by families who have previously stayed at Amy’s House. They marked the occasion with balloons, cake and swapping stories of how important the Home was to them.
Geraldine Burns, Accommodation Manager at Amy’s House, said: “We are so glad we can be there, for young people like Romeo, at a time when they need it most. This anniversary is a special occasion to take a moment to recognise the impact Amy’s House has in the community for so many people – and to celebrate and thank all the supporters who, through their vital donations, allow us to continue to be there for young people and families.
“I feel incredibly proud of Amy’s House and all the staff here who make the Home what it is for young people and families. In the last year, 119 young people and families have stayed at Amy’s House. Long may our service to the community continue, so we can be there for every child, young person or family member that needs us.”
To find out more about Young Lives vs Cancer’s Homes from Home and the support the charity provides, visit their website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk.
To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login