Zion-The-Brave

13/10/2025

22 weeks apart…still a long way to go but taking a moment to celebrate how far I’ve come.

23 weeks ago I lay on a sofa in our villa in Florida and cried, I couldn’t do it anymore. Hiding from the camera, exhausted walking up the road to the park to sit there instead of play with my children because I was too tired and too sweaty. I hated how I felt and despised what I had become, lazy and unbelievably unhealthy - what kind of example was I setting to my tinies watching?!!
23 weeks ago I reached out to because I knew I couldn’t do this on my own and it’s a decision I will not regret.

22 weeks on with keeping me accountable and cheering me on, I am stronger, I feel healthier and I’m starting to like what I see staring back at me in the mirror. I no longer avoid having to go back upstairs when I forget something and my body actually craves movement now!! Does this mean I don’t sit in my car outside the gym psyching myself up to walk in for 20 minutes, nope - I still do that but the feeling of accomplishment walking out after is beyond wonderful!!

The girl lying on that sofa thought this was not going to be possible, the mama sitting in the park embarrassed to join in play incase people were judging never saw the day of playing on a seesaw freely and happily with her 11yr old.

Today I am thankful for how far I’ve come and I can see how far I have to go but it no longer overwhelms me, let’s go!!💪💪💪

10/01/2025

6
My baby is 6, how did this happen!!
My living, breathing, miracle boy, oh how proud of you we are! The kindest, most loving, squidgiest, cuddliest, craziest boy I know with a hint of defiance and rage. I love getting to be your mummy and I don’t think I could love you any more🥰🥰🥰

Here’s to another year round the sun making memories.

#6

23/12/2024

4 years ago….

4 years ago we were handed a piece of paper by a doctor to read our baby has cancer, we weren’t afforded the grace of someone sitting with us and talking through what hell was about to be bestowed on us.
4years ago our family was split in 2 because, you know, Covid. Jonny living at home with Eden & me in the hospital with Zion. A father not allowed to visit his son & support his wife, a daughter not allowed to see her mum and get the cuddles she desperately needed and a little boy who could live or die not allowed to remain in the strength of his family team together in an isolated hospital room because that’s what was best for the unknown and not the families ripped apart.

4 years of living in grief bringing uncertainty, brokenness and fear which doesn’t end with that magical end of treatment bell.

4 years ago…..some days it feels like 4minutes ago others as if it never happened. But it did.

Cancer really is a journey that never ends, that old saying of time being the healer, well, personally I don’t agree but I do believe time gives space for learning and for friendship to blossom in spaces and places where darkness would try to rob you of the light that shines along the way of this road called grief.

4 years on and we see glimmers of beauty in the ashes but still oh so much mire to work through. 4years on with our baby who is the most kind, most gorgeous, most loving little squidge who I am obsessed with with. 4years on and this date still brings all the feels but this year there’s something new….a feeling of victory.

4 years on Zion still stands, breathes and shouts defiantly even when death tried to steal Him away & the imagery of this is not lost on me.

4years on we will celebrate and hold Zion tight as we prepare to celebrate the King of heaven coming.

4 years on….

12/11/2024

Did you know children who are receiving chemotherapy cannot receive live vaccines and those who have had their vaccines prior to treatment have their entire vaccine immunity wiped out?

This means they have to go through the whole process again once they’re out the other side of treatment?

Today Zion got his first set of vaccines to re-vaccinate and it has floored him🫠🫠🫠
Hopefully some sleep and tic and he’ll be fighting for in the morning💪💪💪

17/10/2024

***EXCITING NEWS***

We are hosting an incredible day of relaxation, yoga and pampering for incredible mummies who walk the cancer road with their kiddies!!

The wonderful .v.thompson and I had a chat and came up with an idea of bringing a bunch of mummies who journey childhood cancer together.

This had to be a day of luxury(obvs) pampering and purpose!!

So here we are with a stunning day at a very special price at the Rabbit hotel involving pampering, yoga, spa time and taking time to breathe together!!

This journey is better when we do it together and we wanted to create a space where mums could meet out of the drab hospital walls and make friendships for life. It

There are limited spaces so dm to book your place or to book a place for a mummy of a cancer kid who you know would benefit from this incredible day!!

20/10/2023

Trick or treat!!!👻🎃🎗️

£2 is all we ask and to reshare our fundraising page, let’s change children’s cancer treatment together!!🤝

We appreciate every single one of you💜🦕🦖

Weʼre raising money to Help us change the face of children’s cancer treatments! Our children deserve more then 4P in every £1 for research into kinder treatments!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

08/10/2023

Thanks to Belfast Live for sharing our mission to raise as much money as possible specifically for children’s cancer research with your help!!!

We could not love this boy any more he has fought to live and now he’s going to fight for the lives of other cancer kids coming behind him with us right there with him!!💪💜🦖🦕

Zion Cassidy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just days before Christmas 2020 when he was just two

05/10/2023

This is incredible news👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This is the trial which you guys made possible for Zion to been a part of for the last year.

You may or may not remember me telling you that Zion The Brave has been part of a group lobbying to have this drug approved by the FDA which would mean the drug could be rolled out and be used as part of front line treatment without families having to raise thousands of pounds with children having to travel thousands of miles away from the support of their friends, family and home hospital teams.

Well, a panel sat yesterday and at long last the FDA have finally voted in favour for DFMO to be approved!!!🥳🥳🥳

We are beyond grateful that Zion got the opportunity to be on this trial with Dr Giselle Scholler and be a part of improving cancer treatment for Neuroblastoma kids coming behind.

It may not be a cure but preventing relapse of this hateful beast is an absolutely outstanding achievement!!!

29/09/2023

What do you tracking guys can we get him over the £1k mark by the end of the day?!!
To everyone who has donated, thank you to those of you have shared, thank you!!

Don’t forget to like and share the link and let’s make some real change for cancer kids across the world!!🌏🎗️💪

Weʼre raising money to Help us change the face of children’s cancer treatments! Our children deserve more then 4P in every £1 for research into kinder treatments!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

28/09/2023

You guys are honestly the best, over £500 raised in less than 24hrs!!
Please keep sharing, children’s cancer treatment needs to change and we’re on a mission to impact research to make this happen!!

If everyone in Northern Ireland gives £2 that’s over £3million raised!!
If everyone in Ireland over £10million
And if everyone globally over £17billion
Let’s do this together and change the face of children’s cancer treatments by funding vital research!💪💜🦕🦖

Weʼre raising money to Help us change the face of children’s cancer treatments! Our children deserve more then 4P in every £1 for research into kinder treatments!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.