Difficult thoughts and feelings?

See what our expert suggests

Your reviewsBooks, films, games and more

“Afterwards I felt ecstatic!”

Emeli Sandé on singing at the Olympics

Pet love We meet your

fabulous furry friends Win

Make a brilliant

spiral snake!

£10 Amazon voucher

Get creative!

Spring 2013 l Issue 4

Your views l Your news

ShoutOut!

Welcome to our spring issue of Shout Out!, the magazine

especially for children who have, or have had, cancer that’s

written with your help.

First of all, I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone

who wrote and told us what your friends ask you about cancer.

Your views are really important to us here at CLIC Sargent,

and we’ll be using what you told us to help us write some new

information for children. We hope it will give answers to many

of the questions that friends and classmates ask about cancer.

In this issue, our expert has advice on how to handle some of

the thoughts and feelings you may have during and after your

treatment (p6). On p8 the amazing singer Emeli Sandé answers

your questions and tells us why she loves singing so much.

As usual there’s loads of creative stuff to do too – why not start

by writing your own ‘acrostic’ poem on p10? And don’t miss

Amelia’s inspiring story about how it felt to have cancer (p13).

Bye for now!

Alisha Thank you!Thanks especially to the staff and children in the schoolroom at Belfast Children’s Hospital who helped us put our latest issue together. We loved all your brilliant stories and drawings, and we hope you enjoy seeing them in print.

Take a look at Rebecca’s Spring drawing on p18.

Letterfrom the

editor

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There are only two animals that can see behind themselves

without turning their heads. Do you know what they are? (Answers at the bottom of the page)

Snails can hibernate for up to three years

A bee has to visit 4,000 flowers

to make just one spoonful of honey

A: Rabbits and parrots

A strawberry is the only fruit with seeds on the outsideTry this!

Want to see some raisins dancing?Sprinkle a few into a glass of fizzy water or lemonade and see what happens. Bubbles collect in the wrinkles and lift the raisins up. When they reach the surface the bubbles pop and the raisins sink again.

How to… make an egg stand upTry standing an egg upright on a table. It’s not easy is it? Now sprinkle some salt on the table and try again. Hey presto! The salt crystals are like little cubes that make a good stand for the egg to balance on.

know?Did you

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Your reviewsYour shout!Send us a reviewTell us about your favourite book, film, game or show and why you liked it. Write your full name, date of birth and postcode on the back and send it in the Freepost envelope provided – don’t forget to tell us how many stars (out of five) you give it! Or you can email your review to us at shoutout@clicsargent.org.uk

Game reviews I play… FIFA 13Jermaine, 13, from Luton

When I go to hospital for my treatment I enjoy playing my FIFA 13 with the staff. I always beat them. I even give them time to practise while I get my treatment in hospital. It’s a great football game. It’s hard for beginners, but when you play it more, you’ll get better.

Book reviewsI read… Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald DahlPeter, 8, from Belfast

I really loved this book. The main story is about Danny and his dad poaching pheasants from the very nasty Mr Hazell’s estate. They hatch a plot to get revenge on him for threatening Danny without cause. Danny is a happy boy and really admires his dad’s great imagination and cheerfulness. Read the story and you’ll see what I mean! You won’t be disappointed.

I read… Unbelievable by Jessica EnnisTimothy, 12, from Nottingham

This is a very good book all about how Jessica Ennis, the heptathlete, came from being a sporty schoolgirl to an Olympic champion through long training hours and painful injuries. There are glossy pages throughout the book with pictures so you can have a break from all the text! It’s a very big book and I would not recommend it to anyone who will give up easily. But overall it’s a great book and very enjoyable!

Game reviewsI play… DragonValeMary, 9, from Omagh

DragonVale is a game full of your own lovable dragons. Each dragon has its own style and personality. You can name your dragons just like you would name a pet. On DragonVale, you can breed, hatch, and raise dragons, build and decorate their habitats and invite your friends to visit your DragonVale Island in the sky!

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Film reviewsI saw… The CroodsMatthew, 8, from Ballymoney

The Croods are a prehistoric family of cave people. They are so, so funny, especially Granny Crood because she tries to kill huge, strange creatures with her stick! When their cave is destroyed they have to follow a new boy called Guy. He is very smart and teaches them how to make fire and hunt in better ways. He leads them on a weird and brilliant journey to a safer land. A must-see film!

Showing at a cinema near you!EpicTeenager Mary Katherine finds herself transported to a deep forest where a battle is raging between the miniature Leafmen and the evil Boggans. Follow her adventures as she helps to fight the Boggans and tries to find her way home (check out the trailer on YouTube – the effects are amazing!).

Star Trek Into Darkness Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise boldly go into deep space once more. This time it’s to find a time-travelling baddie who uses the power of black holes to destroy whole planets. Will they find him before it’s too late?

Film reviews I saw... Wreck It RalphEve, 9, from Leicester

This is an animated film about a character in a video game called Ralph. He does not want to be the bad person anymore so he goes to another game called Sugar Rush and meets a little girl called Vanellope. I thought it was a really fun film and I would recommend it to people who like animated films and for all ages.

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In this issue CLIC Sargent Social Worker, Lesley Nicol, answers questions about

some thoughts and feelings you may have during and after

cancer treatment.

Ask theexpertQ. Having cancer has made me less confident and I don’t like trying or doing different things. What can I do to get my confidence back?A: Lots of people lose their confidence when they have cancer so you are really not alone. Even if you have finished treatment, you may still feel a bit wobbly about doing things you used to enjoy or trying new things.

The important thing is for you to tell a grown-up you trust how you are feeling. This could be your parent or carer, or one of your doctors or nurses. Or you could have a chat with your CLIC Sargent Social Worker. Explain that you feel a bit wobbly and ask if they can help.

These questions are based on conversations with children

who took part in our Impact of Cancer on a Child’s World study.

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Ask theexpertQ. I feel a bit lonely sometimes. What can I do to help me feel less alone?A: It can be hard to stay in touch with

friends when you are having treatment

for cancer. And it can be difficult to pick

up your friendships again when you

finish treatment.

Again, the important thing is to talk to

people about how you feel. Your mum,

dad or carer can help you to plan how to

get back in touch with your friends and

maybe arrange something fun to do.

If you are in hospital and would like some

visitors (and your doctors and nurses say

it’s okay) you could get your mum, dad or

carer to invite a few friends to come and

see you. If you have a phone, you can also

phone or text your friends whenever you

are feeling up to it.

Q. Sometimes I worry that my cancer will come back. Who can I talk to?A: We know that lots of children worry about this, and it’s really important to let a grown-up know. You may hear that someone else’s cancer has come back and this can be really scary. But everyone’s cancer is different and your doctor or nurse will be able to listen to your worries and try to give you the answers you need. Lots of children tell us that they worry if they hurt themselves when playing or doing something outdoors that their cancer may come back. Playing outside or doing sports won’t make your cancer come back, even if you get hurt. As long as your doctor says it’s safe for you to do these things, then you can.

Your

Shout!Go to p9 to find out how you can send in a question for our expert.

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Interview with

Emeli Sandé Say a big Shout Out! ‘hello’ to amazing singer-

songwriter Emeli Sandé. Emeli sang at the 2012

Olympics and recently supported Coldplay on tour.

Here she answers your questions about singing,

emotions and lots more.

When did you start singing and who inspired you to start singing?I started when I was very young. I’ve been singing

since I can remember but I was around seven when

I thought I really want to be a singer. And it was

Mariah Carey who inspired me to start.

What do you enjoy most about singing?

It’s a release. It’s almost as if you get to shout

but no one thinks you’ve lost control, because you

are shouting in tune. For me, it is like therapy

– you can get on stage and just let everything out.

How did you get your first record deal?I was featured on a song with Wiley and sang

with Chipmunk. I also did a lot of writing and

Virgin Records heard about me and then offered

me a record deal.

Are your songs based on your own experiences?

Yes, my own emotions, my own experiences

but also how my friends’ stories have touched

me as well.

What was it like performing at the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics? And were you nervous?It was a great honour to perform and, yes,

I was very nervous! Especially for the opening

ceremony because there were so many people

watching. But afterwards I felt ecstatic.

Have you met many people who have cancer?

Yes, I met quite a few people with cancer when

I was in Glasgow studying medicine. I learned

a lot and heard many touching stories.

Your shout!Who’s your fave celeb?Do you have a favourite singer, actor or sports personality? And what questions would you like to ask them? Drop us a line to let us know in the Freepost envelope provided or email us at shoutout@clicsargent.org.uk. Remember to include your full name, date of birth and postcode.

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My question:

Do you have a question for our expert?The theme of the next issue of Shout Out! will be about communicating with friends, family, classmates etc. Our expert will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about talking to friends, family, siblings – or your doctors and nurses – about your treatment, schoolwork, feelings or anything else.

Just write your questions for our expert below and send them to us in the Freepost envelope provided. Or you can email them to shoutout@clicsargent.org.uk. We can’t guarantee we can answer all your questions but will try!

Example question: How can I talk to my five-year-old brother about my cancer?

My name:

My date of birth:

My postcode:

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Your

Shout! Win a £10 voucherSend us your poem, pictures and stories and you could win a £10 Amazon voucher! Just use the Freepost envelope provided or email us at shoutout@clicsargent.org.uk. The winning entry will appear in the next edition of Shout Out! Don’t forget to include your full name, date of birth and postcode.

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Getcreative

Have you ever heard of ‘acrostic’ poems? It’s a kind of poetry that anyone can have fun with. All you do is write a word going down the page, then write a line of poetry for each letter in the word. So, for example, if the first letter of the word is ‘B’, you could write, ‘Bumblebees are very buzzy’.

We’ve given you a word below, so that you can have a go at writing your very own acrostic poem. Good luck!

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Get creative – your very own comic stripWell done to Mariska, 13, from Bedford, who is the winner of last issue’s

‘Get Creative’ competition. She created this brilliant comic strip called

‘A look into the life of two young friends at bee school’.

Congratulations, Mariska – your £10 Amazon voucher is on its way.

Send us your acrostic poem for a chance to win a £10 Amazon voucher – take a look at p10 for details.

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Get

crafty

Draw a spiral on a piece of coloured paper

Colour in the spiral to look like snakeskin

Carefully cut along the spiral line (or ask a grown-up to do it for you)

Attach a piece of string to the head with some sticky tape

Give your snake some eyes with a crayon

Hold up your snake and admire your handiwork!

Make your snake with: A piece of coloured paper Scissors Coloured crayons Sticky tape String

This curly-wurly snake is easy to make, and looks great when it’s hung up.

Send us a photo of yourself with your snake for a chance to win a £10 Amazon voucher - turn to p10 for details.

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Amelia’s story

I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in January 2010. I stopped treatment in March 2012 and now I am in remission. I was in hospital for two years.

I was quite up and down in the first year, but not so much in the second. I learned a lot about medicines, doctors and nurses, and I got really interested in it. I would like to be a haematology (blood) doctor when I get older and help other children.

When I was in hospital I just kept thinking, “When am I going to get better?”, “When am I going to leave?” I felt happy but also worried. I was happy because the doctors were keeping me safe, but I also thought, “Is the cancer going to affect me for the rest of my life?”

It was quite difficult being in hospital away from my family, but the doctors and nurses made me feel at home. They were really nice and supportive. They were like my second family and they really looked after me.

I missed school in the first year when I was in hospital. But the headteacher came to see me and all the children sent cards. It made me feel really happy to know that they were thinking of me.

I started writing poems when I was back at school in Year 2. I realised that if I could write about what I can see and what I hear, then I could write poems. When I am writing poems I think about the doctors and nurses who helped me as well.

In Year 2 we also did class talks. I decided that I knew a lot about cancer and how it felt, and I wanted the other children to know about it too. My brother helped me with the pictures but I knew all the medical words. It made me feel happy to express how I felt and tell people what I had been going through.

I feel much happier these days. I can get out and do my hobbies now. I do swimming four times a week, gymnastics once a week, and violin and recorder too. I am also thinking of writing a book full of poems and selling it to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Amelia, 8, from Matlock, tells us how she felt talking to her classmates about cancer, and how her doctors and nurses inspired her to write poetry.

Read some of Amelia’s wonderful poems on p15.

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Your poems

Poems by Cassidy, 7, from Coventry

How I am specialWhen my mum said my hair would fall out, me and my mum were very sad, but now it’s growing back I don’t really care how I look. I still know I’m beautiful and people always make me smile.

Love and meLeukaemia and me are always togetherMe and my family together foreverMy mum says I’m a brave little starOur love as a family will always go far.

Lots of you have been busy scribbling away since our last issue. Here are some of the fantastic poems you sent in.

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Poems by Amelia, 8, from Matlock

Doctors and nursesMany people very ill,Lots of people taking a pill.Lots of busy nurses and doctors too,Trying to sort out you.Cancer, cancer go away,We’re trying to make our treatment make its way.Doctors and nurses helping you,Do them a favour and become a nurse or doctor too.Because of the nurses and doctors’ gift,I lived.

EmergenciesAmbulances rushing to get a person,When he gets to the hospital they have to nurse him.He is gradually getting better,So he communicates with a letter.Now he is fully better,He comes home and says to his mother, look at my bravery award letter.

Your

Shout! Send us your stories and poems for a chance to win a £10 Amazon voucher – turn to p10 for details.

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Your gallery

Rainbow lanternsImogen, 12, from Coulsdon

MoshlingsShauna, 12, from Alton

EasterJessica, 9, from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Take a look at some of the amazing pictures and drawings you sent us. We never knew there were so many budding artists out there!

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SeahorsesImogen, 12, from Coulsdon

Get crafty lanternHannah, 10, from Sheffield

Madasgascar 3Shabaaz, 12, from Manchester

Chinese new year lanternWesley, 12, from London

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Your jokes

Pet’s

corner

YourhobbiesRebecca, 8, from Belfast

My hobby is art and crafts. I love drawing pictures and making cards for my friends in school and for my mum and dad. I like making things when I’m feeling sick because it makes me feel much better. I use bright colours and lots of

glitter and other craft materials. It really cheers me up to see all the lovely things I can make. Maybe I will be an artist when I grow up.

Emily, 8, from the Isle of LewisMy cat is called Ellie. She is ginger and black and has a white tip on her tail. She is 10 years old now. When I was in hospital I didn’t see her for six months. I really missed her. My mum got me a soft toy cat that looked exactly like Ellie. I called it Ginger. The staff at the hospital kept on thinking Ginger was real! I was sooooo pleased to see Ellie again.

Pet sensePets can help you feel happy when you are having treatment for cancer. But people sometimes catch things from their pets too, so you do need to be a bit careful. To stay safe and healthy:

c Always wash your hands after playing with your pet or touching his or her bedding, food bowls and so on

c Don’t go near their wee, poo or sick (leave the dirty work for the grown-ups!)

c Stay away from your pet if they aren’t well

c Never kiss your pet or let them lick your face.

If you are thinking of getting a new pet, make sure you talk to your doctor first.

Ewan, 13, from TewkesburyMy dogs are called Alfie and Bonnie. Alfie is a chocolate labrador and he is cheeky but very lovable. Bonnie is about five years old. She is a collie/corgi cross. We got her about three years ago. We got Alfie from a family in Hereford when he was eight weeks old. Bonnie is very timid but loves us. Her favourite place in the world is my mum and dad’s bed. I have had so many cuddles with them whilst going through treatment.Your shout!

Tell us about your hobbies or send us your favourite pet photos and stories in the Freepost envelope provided, or email shoutout@clicsargent.org.uk. Don’t forget to include your full name, date of birth and postcode.

Scott, 11, from BlairgowrieWhen I was nine I had a brain tumour, but after two operations it was gone. I am now fit and healthy. Outside of school I like WWE wrestling.

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Your jokes

Q: Why was the computer cold?

A: It left its Windows open!Darren, 12, Ballyrock

Q: What kind of food do

ducklings serve at their birthday parties?

A: Cheese and quackersEve, 9, Leicester

Q: Why didn’t the cheetah go on holiday?

A: He couldn’t find the right spotEve, 9, Leicester

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

A: To get away from KFCJoshua, 10

Q: What did the boy banana say to the girl banana?

A: You have a lot of a-peel!Eve, 10, Preston

Q: How do football players stay cool during

the game?A: They stand close

to the fansDarren, 12, Ballyrock

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Find out more...CLIC Sargent – www.clicsargent.org.ukYour CLIC Sargent care worker will be able to help with questions or concerns and can give you information about childhood cancer. This could be for you, your family, friends or teachers. You can also call CLIC Sargent on 0300 330 0803 or email info@clicsargent.org.uk

CLIC Sargent also has available a number of storybooks written especially for children to help them understand what cancer is and the treatment it involves. The storybooks include:

c Mary has a brain tumour c Joe has leukaemia c Lucy has a tumour c Tom has lymphoma c Chemotherapy, cakes and cancer

You can read the storybook on your own, or with the help of your parents, older siblings, grandparents and anybody else who looks after you. You can get a copy from your CLIC Sargent care team, or ask an adult to download a copy from our website www.clicsargent.org.uk

ChildLine – www.childline.org.ukYou can call ChildLine on 0800 11 11 or 0800 40 02 22, text or contact them online at www.childline.org.uk if you would like to chat to somebody privately about anything that may be worrying you.

Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group - www.cclg.org.ukYou can download lots of useful publications about cancer and treatment from their website, including many that have been written especially for children. Otherwise, you could order them through the CLIC Sargent website, or ask your care team for copies.

Bullying UK – www.bullying.co.ukBullying UK can be contacted by anybody needing information or advice about bullying in school. Call Parentline free on 0808 800 2222 or email help@bullying.co.uk

Make sure you ask an adult before using the telephone or computer!

Shout Out! is CLIC Sargent’s magazine for 7 to 13-year-olds.If you have any questions about the magazine check with your parent or carer if they are happy for you to call us on 0300 330 0803 and then ask to speak to the Information Manager.

www.clicsargent.org.ukRegistered charity number 1107328 and registered in Scotland (SC039857)

Please note that everyone’s experience will be different and may not follow the order outlined in this publication, and that services will differ across the UK. CLIC Sargent cannot accept any responsibility for information and services provided by third parties, including those referred to or signposted to in this publication.

While we take every care to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date at time of printing, CLIC Sargent cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication. Information should not be relied on in place of appropriate professional or other advice specific to your circumstances.

REF: SO01_13086. Issue 4, Spring 2013 Next issue: Summer 2013