Charity provides hope (From Barry And District News)

Charity provides hope

LATCH stands for Llandough Aims to Treat Children with Cancer and Leukaemia with Hope.

The charity provides emotional support and practical help for all children and their families attending the oncology unit at Llandough Hospital.

LATCH works with all children and young people (aged up to 21 years) who are diagnosed with cancer, leukaemia or life-threatening haematological conditions, who attend the oncology unit at Llandough.

It also helps children with brain tumours who attend the University Hospital of Wales under the care of Llandough oncologists.

The charity provides family accommodation at the hospital while children are receiving treatment, and two social workers provide counselling. There are also parent support groups, and financial help, too.

Support, for which there is no charge, is provided as and when required.

Families are informed about LATCH following diagnosis.

The charity relies upon funding from donations and fundraising activities.