Our Peer Support Team are available to:
Don’t feel alone – get in touch with our team.
Click here to read some Frequently Asked Questions.
Our team of Regional Contacts consists of 14 parents who have first-hand experience of parenting a child with CMN. The regional contacts are located across the UK and Ireland.
Our team of Adult Contacts consists of 3 adults living with CMN. The adult team are available to chat with our adult members, share experiences and answer your CMN-related questions.
Our Teen Contact is a young adult living with CMN. Our teenage members can reach out for advice or just to chat and share experiences.
Click on the map to view all regions
Katy Cooper is our Young Adults Contact, providing support for those aged 17–24 years.
My name is Katy, and I live in Hertfordshire. I was born with a CMN on the back of my right knee, which covers about a third of my leg. You can read my story here. My family have been involved with Caring Matters Now almost since the beginning, and now I’m an adult I’m excited to be able to get involved on my own. I’m so honoured that I’ve been given the opportunity to be the Young Adults Contact. I am primarily here to provide support to our older teens and young adults, those aged 17 – 24 years, so if you would like to have a chat, I’m here to listen!
“There’s a tiny part of me that wishes my parents had decided not to have the laser surgery, but I completely understand why they did. The expert medical advice at the time was that the laser surgery was a small operation… Because I had that surgery, my CMN also has a slightly different appearance to CMN that haven’t had any surgery.”
My name is Stacey and I live in Kent. I have a bathing trunk nevus and multiple satellites on my face and body. I found Caring Matters Now when I went to the How Do You C Me Now exhibition in March 2019. Until that day I had never met anybody with the same skin as me. However, since I have made some wonderful new friends, attended gatherings and learned a lot about CMN through this amazing charity. You can read my personal story here.
I am proud to be an adult support contact for Caring Matters Now and if you have any questions or you just want to chat please contact me.
“I found Caring Matters Now when I went to the How Do You C Me Now exhibition in March 2019. Until that day I had never met anybody with the same skin as me.”
I’m Kathy and I live in Hampshire. I have a bathing trunk CMN with several satellite naevi.
I was in my late 50’s when I discovered Caring Matters Now and the amazing work they are doing in supporting those with CMN and their families. Meeting others with CMN and hearing their stories has had a positive effect on the way I see my skin. Developing friendships within the Caring Matters Now community continues to encourage me.
Please do get in touch with me, Katy or Stacey, if you have any questions or would appreciate chatting to someone with similar experience. We are here to listen and would like to get to know you.
Katy Cooper is our Teens and Young Adults Contact, providing support for those aged 17–24 years.
My name is Katy, and I live in Hertfordshire. I was born with a CMN on the back of my right knee, which covers about a third of my leg. You can read my story here. My family have been involved with Caring Matters Now almost since the beginning, and now I’m an adult I’m excited to be able to get involved on my own. I’m so honoured that I’ve been given the opportunity to be the Young Adults Contact. I am primarily here to provide support to those aged 17 – 24 years, so if you would like to have a chat, I’m here to listen!
Sophie O’Mailley is our Teen Contact, providing support for those aged 12-17 years.
My name is Sophie and I live in Hamilton, Scotland. I was born with a CMN covering one side of my face and half my scalp. My family and I have appreciated the support from Caring Matters Now since I was young and now I am so happy to be given the opportunity to support others. I am here to help so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Hi, I’m Peter.
I’m originally from Buncrana, Donegal, a small town in the North West of Ireland, but now live in Newcastle upon Tyne with my wife Sarah and our two children, Aoife (7) and Odhran (3).
In 2022, our youngest, Odhran, was born with a giant CMN covering his thighs, abdomen, and back. Not long after, Sarah came across Caring Matters Now through a Facebook group, and the support and advice we’ve received since has been invaluable.
In 2023, Aoife wanted to support her little brother and decided to set up a tuck shop at my workplace. Thanks to her determination (and some sweet tooths at work!), she raised over £1,000 for Caring Matters Now. We were so proud when Aoife was awarded the 2023 Jessica Ma Award, which now sits proudly on display on her bedroom bookshelf.
As a family, we’re passionate about raising awareness of CMN and supporting others as they begin their own journey with medical appointments and beyond. I’m delighted to now be the charity’s Dad’s Support Contact and North Regional Contact, alongside Sarah. Part of our role will include organising the North Regional Gathering, and we highly encourage both new and existing members to come along. Our kids have already made friends through these events, and they always look forward to them.
In my role as Dad’s Support Contact, I’m also active in the charity’s very helpful WhatsApp groups — especially the Dads’ group, which is a fantastic space to talk openly and share experiences.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Hello, my name is Hayleigh and I’m Mum to Anna-Grace who was born with a Giant CMN with central nervous system involvement. Anna is now a beautiful young lady of 17. When Anna was born, I felt overwhelmed with the challenges that faced us. I know how daunting this can be, and my heart goes out to you parents facing the challenges that neurological complications can bring. Caring Matters Now have always given us the support that we needed. I wanted to give something back and support other parents that are on a similar journey. You can read our story here. Please feel free to contact me.
My name is Francine and I live in Liverpool with my husband Mark and our 2 young girls. My youngest daughter has a giant CMN that covers part of her back, tummy and upper legs. You can read our Personal Story here.
I am the support contact for North West and North Wales as I live in Formby, so only a short drive away. It would be great to see you at our regional gathering over the next 12 months. Please do get in touch anytime if you have questions about CMN or you just want to talk.
My name is Louise and I live in Surrey with my husband Hugo and my two children, James and Charlotte.
Charlotte was born in 2010 with a large scalp CMN and we have been part of the Caring Matters Now charity since she was six months old. Just before she was two, Charlotte underwent a part-removal (and skin graft) of the main CMN from the side of her face. The surgery took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital and we have been very pleased with the results.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions or you’d just like some friendly support.
My name is Jenny Deschenes. Our family live near Fort William in the Highlands, I am originally from Shetland and my husband Olivier is from France. My daughter Mia was born with a giant CMN in 2006. Caring Matters Now has been the most amazing resource and support for us as a family. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
Hello! I’m Lorna, I am mum to 3 boys and 1 girl. Our daughter is our youngest child and was born with a giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus of which we had never heard and knew nothing about until after she was born. Initially the midwives and doctors could not give us any information and so, Caring Matters Now was a fountain of knowledge, clarity and support to us in those early days and we really are grateful for that. We live in Glasgow and I’d be happy to chat with anyone requiring support from my region.
Hi, we are Sarah and Peter Smith and we live in Newcastle upon Tyne with our kids Aoife and Odhran. Odhran was born in 2022 with a giant bathing trunk nevus, which we later discovered is caused by the BRAF mutation. Although we were lucky enough to receive a diagnosis and some information immediately, it took quite a while to find Caring Matters Now and all the invaluable support the charity has provided.
We were honoured to be asked to regional contacts for the North and to share that feeling of community and support with others.
Hi, I am Helen and I am the regional contact for the North East.
I am an adult with CMN that covers my entire back and I also have many smaller moles across the rest of my body. You can read my story here.
Whilst I was born and grew up in Merseyside, I have lived in North Yorkshire for the past 18 years and now proud to be an honorary ‘Yorkshire Lass’ and support families from the Caring Matters Now community who are based in the North East region, which spans from South Yorkshire all the way up to Northumberland!
As someone who has grown up with CMN, I understand some of the potential concerns or queries you may have as you navigate your family’s CMN journey. I am always happy to listen and support with any questions. I encourage you to get in touch and hope to meet you in person at a future regional gathering.
Hi, my name is Michelle and I live in Liverpool with my partner Rob and our 3 daughters. Our youngest daughter Abigail was born in 2015 with a large CMN covering the back of her neck, back and part of her chest (known as a Cape CMN), she also has numerous satellites covering other parts of her body.
We found Caring Matters Now when Abigail was 6 months old, and I felt such a weight off my mind. Being able to speak to others about anything and everything. I have been part of every regional gathering over the years, thoroughly enjoyed them and have met lovely families.
Over the years Abigail has been back and forth to Hospital and has recently had surgery on her CMN. She is such a confident, bubbly, amazing little lady and after you’ve met her you wouldn’t forget her!
I was so honoured when I was asked to be Regional Support for the North West and Wales. If you ever want to chat or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
My name is Emma, I live in Northamptonshire. My daughter has facial and scalp CMN with multiable satellites. I found caring matters now in the early days of my daughter being in NICU in 2024. Since then we’ve attended gatherings and learnt so much about CMN, we’re so grateful to this community and amazing charity.
Having had the option to speak to someone about CMN in the first few weeks as medical professionals couldn’t give us answers at the time was invaluable and I hope that I can be an ear to listen to for others.
Hi I’m Rachelle I live in Essex with my husband and 3 children.
Ada my youngest has CMN on around 70% over her body, mainly on her back.
We first got in touch with Caring Matters Now when Ada was 8 days old through Professor Kinsler at Great Ormand Street. Ever since Ada was born I have wanted to help and raise awareness. Caring Matters Now have helped us in so many ways and still continue to do so.. a bond we will have forever!
We would be lost without them, so when they asked if I would be a Regional Contact for East Anglia, I was touched beyond words and so pleased to help others.
So, if you ever want to have a chat or have any questions about CMN please don’t be a stranger!
You can see more about our story here.
Hi, my name is Catrina, I live near Swansea in South Wales. I live with my husband and our 2 boys. Our youngest son, Daniel, was born in 2021 with a large Nevus spilus type CMN covering his bathing trunk region.
When Daniel was born we had no awareness of CMN and neither did our healthcare professionals. I came upon the caring matters now website when Daniel was around 10 months old which gave us the support and knowledge to advocate for Daniel and lead to us being seen at GOSH and learning about CMN.
Caring Matters Now is so important to us as a family, we are passionate about raising awareness and to increase early diagnosis. The support and opportunities Caring Matters Now offers, to engage with other families that understand is invaluable. We love to attend the regional gatherings and the big weekend!
Please feel free to reach out to me at any time!
Croeso i chi hefyd cysylltu yn y Gymraeg!
Thank you / Diolch
My name is Fiona and I live in Stroud with my two grown up children. My 18 year old son, Callum has a large CMN covering the whole of his right arm. We were fortunate to be signposted to Caring Matters Now when he was a baby and have enjoyed being part of the group whilst Callum was growing up.
I am the regional contact for the West of England & South Wales and I live in Gloucestershire. It would be good to hear from you if you have any questions about CMN or would just like a chat.
It would also be good to see you at a regional gathering.
Hello, I’m Dahlia – regional support contact for London, and author and illustrator of “Didi, the Wolf and the Starry Tattoos”, a children’s picture book about embracing differences, responding with confidence, and finding strength in your community – your very own ‘wolf pack’.
I live in North London with my husband and our three wonderful children, including our beautiful daughter, Alicia who was born with CMN. When Alicia was born, CMN was completely new to us. Discovering Caring Matters Now was such a comfort, finding a supportive community and access to trusted information made a real difference. Connecting with other families who share similar experiences has been both grounding and inspiring.
I’m proud to be part of that same community, helping to support others. I’ll be organising the annual London regional gathering and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m always happy to listen, share experiences, and help wherever I can.
I’m Colin and I live in Plymouth with my wife, Sheila, and our daughter who is 16 and has CMN. I’m the regional contact for south west England. The friendship, care and support over the years from Caring Matters Now and from Dr Kinsler at Great Ormond Street have made a big difference to us, so please feel free to get in touch for any help or information you need, or just for a chat.
Hello. My name is Diane and I am the regional contact for South East. I have been involved with Caring Matters Now for nearly 24 years following the birth of my daughter, Katy, with a CMN on her leg. Katy is now a member of the Teen & Adult Support Team, and my husband, Rob, is a trustee of the charity. It would be great to see you at a regional gathering over the next 12 months. Please do get in touch anytime if you have questions about CMN or you just want to talk.
Hi, my name is Sinead McGlone and I am from Glengormley, Northern Ireland. I live with my husband Robert and our five children. Our third child Jude was born with large hairy CMN on both legs in April 2015. Jude has attended Great Ormond Street Hospital yearly and we have been part of the Caring Matters Now (UK) community since he was born, and it has become an important part of our family. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to help others and would love to hear from anyone who would like to reach out with any questions or just a chat.
Caroline Hackman is the Support Contact for our sister charity Caring Matters Now Ireland and, is available to provide support to families affected by CMN living in the Republic of Ireland. Caroline lives in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow with her husband Jason and their 4 children. Caroline’s daughter Lauren, who is 15 years old, has CMN. Caroline and her family have been actively supported by Caring Matters Now (UK) since Lauren was four years old. Caroline understands first-hand the value of the support provided by the charity along with the long-term benefits for Lauren herself.
Partnering with
My name is Simone Araujo and I am the International support contact for Caring Matters Now.
I have a son Mateus who is 8 years old and has a bathing trunk CMN. I attended my first CMN Family Day in Cambridge when he was 6 months old. Just after we saw Dr. Kinsler and she told us about this group, and since then we try to attend and help as much as we can and trying to learn more about CMN condition.
We started building our relationship with the CMN family since our first meeting.
We realised they were doing an amazing job, supporting other families, so we decided to do whatever we could to help and thanking them for helping us at the crucial time.
I was delighted when they invited me to join the Support Contact team, despite being a bit hard as english is not my first language. But I promise to try my best.
My son is very confident and a happy boy. At the moment the condition does not affect him at all. He lives a very normal life and attend some activity classes. He keeps himself very active.
I am here for your support, or just to have a general chat about CMN. I can help you to communicate with other members of the group who may have had the same experiences or difficulties as you, or members who live locally to you and may have children of similar age, allowing you the opportunity to build friendships.
We have a large number of registrations from all around the world and we are connected to other CMN groups around the world, so I can help connect you with peope in your own country.
