Children with Cancer UK has been honoured with a nomination for its powerful childhood cancer awareness documentary film Kids Like Us in the Kids: Factual & Entertainment category at the 2025 International Emmy® Awards.

Announced last week by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the nomination places Children with Cancer UK among 64 global nominees across 16 categories, representing 26 countries. Winners will be revealed at the 53rd International Emmy® Awards Gala in New York City on 24th November.

Kids Like Us is a landmark documentary that aims to fundamentally change perceptions of paediatric cancer and the challenges surrounding it. Narrated by the children themselves, the film follows the extraordinary journeys of eight remarkable young people from the UK and US, offering a deeply honest and eye-opening portrayal of the reality of their lives. The young people featured in the film includes Tia (13, from West London), Eve (16, from Portsmouth), Dulcie (9, from Telford), Leighton (13, from Birstall), Harry (11, from Fife) and twins Alec & Aden (12, from Fort Worth, Dallas) and Zuza (14, from Waukesha, Wisconsin). 

Dulcie shared her reaction to the nomination: “When I found out Kids Like Us was nominated for an Emmy, I was shocked and super excited, and I wondered if I’d get a trophy! I was a bit nervous in case people start asking me for my autograph all the time, but I’m really happy that I might get an award for talking about cancer because people always ask me what cancer is.
“I hope the film shows that cancer can be scary, but it’s okay to be scared and to cry sometimes. I want other kids going through it to know they’re not alone, and that there’s someone else out there who understands what they’re going through.”

Eve, who also appears in Kids Like Us, shared her excitement: “Being nominated for an Emmy is so exciting! I know so many famous celebrities who are Emmy nominated. We’re just a bunch of kids who shared our realities and now we get to say the same!

“Filming was such fun but at times it was hard and emotionally draining. The nomination makes it feel even more worthwhile as hopefully it means more people around the world will hear our stories, understand the impact of childhood cancer and its long term effects on young people like us.”

The nomination comes during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and just days after the tragic passing of Zuza, one of the young stars featured in the film. 

Gavin Maggs, CEO of Children with Cancer UK, said: “The nomination is a powerful tribute to the courage of all eight children featured in the film, including Zuza, whose stories continue to inspire and educate. The timing of the nomination makes this recognition especially poignant, and we honour Zuza and every child whose voice deserves to be heard.

““Children with Cancer UK is committed to raising and investing funds in vital research to understand childhood cancers better and improve treatments. We support families as they navigate the challenges of treatment and life beyond cancer. With 10 children and young people diagnosed every day in the UK, two of whom will not survive, and many others living with lasting side effects from harsh treatments not suited to growing bodies, this nomination shines a light on their stories and the urgent need for change.”

The 90-minute Children with Cancer UK film is produced by Echo Velvet (the team behind ITV’s critically acclaimed It’s Showtime) and is available to watch on Sky and NOW TV.

As the UK’s leading childhood cancer charity, Children with Cancer UK funds pioneering research into gentler, more effective treatments and provides vital support to families throughout their cancer journeys. To find out more on how you can support the charity, visit Children with Cancer UK’s website.

Image and Video Provided By Children With Cancer UK