Tim Sadler, a father from Brockworth, Gloucestershire, is playing a pivotal role in shaping the UK government’s National Cancer Plan. His personal experience with cancer, having seen his young son undergo three years of treatment and losing his sister to the disease, drives his advocacy for improved support for families affected by cancer.
Sadler is collaborating with a cross-party group of MPs to voice the needs of families facing such challenges. “When a child’s diagnosed with cancer, your entire world is turned upside down. It hits families so hard. I’m incredibly grateful for the listening exercise; the time for action is now,” said Sadler, who is 44 years old.
In April 2014, Sadler’s son, Michael, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) at just two years old after experiencing persistent leg pain. The family rushed to the emergency department, where they received the life-altering diagnosis late that evening. This pivotal moment not only impacted Michael but also transformed the lives of his entire family.
The family’s journey through treatment was made more manageable through the support of the charity Young Lives vs Cancer, which Sadler now volunteers for. He emphasized the crucial assistance they provided during a challenging period. “It was a week before Michael’s third birthday – we ended up moving to Bristol with a two-month-old baby. It’s really hard to access everything, but they gave us somewhere to live, social workers, nurses – we couldn’t believe people did things for us,” he shared.
Despite the commendable support from Young Lives vs Cancer, Sadler highlighted significant gaps in available resources. He is determined to ensure that young cancer patients are not forgotten after treatment ends. Sadler advocates for enhanced mental health services for children and their families, as well as a young person’s travel fund to alleviate the burden of accessing treatment.
“When we were in Bristol, we met families from Cornwall – that was their closest treatment centre,” he explained. The need for resources extends beyond medical support; Sadler’s vision is for children and young people with cancer to be empowered to thrive, not merely survive, after treatment.
“We’re so happy with Michael and so grateful to still have him – he’s doing really, really well, but I want to ensure their cancer diagnosis does not define them,” he stated.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cancer in Children and Young People is expected to convene soon, ahead of the anticipated launch of the National Cancer Plan in February 2024. Sadler’s contributions reflect a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive support systems for families grappling with the realities of childhood cancer. His commitment underscores the importance of community involvement in shaping policies that directly impact lives.