• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She's Your Friend logo
  • Gift Guides
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby Tips
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Gift Guides
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • Pregnancy
  • Baby Tips
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Gift Guides
    • Mom Lifestyle
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby Tips
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    She's Your Friend » Motherhood

    How to support families of children with cancer

    by Joanna Stephens Published: Feb 1, 2023 · Updated: Sep 18, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

    • Share
    collage of six photos of a family with text overlay that reads eight meaningful ways to support families of children with cancer

    Do you know someone who's child was just diagnosed with cancer? As a mom who recently went through this, I wanted to share some helpful tips and advice on how you can offer support.

    collage of six photos of a family with text overlay that reads how to support families of children with cancer
    Jump to:
    • Ways to support families dealing with cancer
    • More Cancer FAQ

    Ways to support families dealing with cancer

    1. Prayers, thoughts or messages.

    It meant the world when we received an outpouring of love and prayers when my son was diagnosed.

    Send them a text and let them know you are thinking about them, but don't expect a text back right away.

    2. Food Gift cards

    Food trains are usually very popular when someone gets sick. When a child goes through chemotherapy, his taste buds are all out of whack.

    This is where food gift cards are a better option. The parents will know what their child can tolerate and what they won't.

    It's also great to have these for when you are going to and from hospitals and don't have time to be at home to eat.

    3. Mow their yard

    It's little things like this that you can't do when you are at the hospital for weeks at a time. Offer to come mow their yard or water their flowers.

    4. Send toys, games or books to their child.

    Those long stays in the hospital can be really hard. I remember my son's face lit up when he received gifts and toys while he was in the hospital.

    5. Offer to do laundry

    Again its another thing that has to be done and if you can take this off their plate, all the better!

    Just remember that while they are on chemotherapy medicines, most clothes need to be washed twice.

    This is because vomit, pee, and poop is extra toxic during this time.

    6. Offer to watch siblings.

    It's overwhelming for everyone including the siblings of children with cancer. Offer to watch them or plan a fun thing to do with them.

    7. Visit or come sit with them.

    When it's available, visit them in the hospital. It's nice to see a familiar face and have someone to talk to.

    8. Donate to local cancer charities

    Another way you can help is by donating to local charities. Baby Jay's Legacy of Hope helps Kansas kids with cancer and their families by offering financial assistance, holiday gifts and much more.

    Some other great charities are:

    • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
    • St.Jude's Children's Research Hospitals
    • Make-a-Wish
    • Give Kids the World

    More Cancer FAQ

    How does childhood cancer affect families?

    It puts a lot of stress on their family. Not only are they going through all the emotions, they also have to put on a strong face for their child.

    It's confusing. When cancer happens to a child, it's hard for that child to understand it and understand why they have to take all the terrible medicines to get better.

    It can also strengthen a family too because they are all on a mission to beat cancer!

    What can you do for someone whose child has cancer?

    Prayers and messages are easy things you can do that doesn't take much time. You could also offer to help out with some household tasks like mowing the yard or doing laundry.

    What do you say to a child who has cancer?

    The best thing to tell them is that you are proud of them and that you are praying for them. Avoid saying things like I'm so sorry, it's not helpful and only confuses kids.

    How do parents feel when their child has cancer?

    We feel heartbroken, scared, sad, and angry. Cancer robs parents of their peace and it robs children of their childhood.

    You might also enjoy reading:

    • My son's cancer story
    • Surprising facts about childhood leukemia
    • Best face masks for kids and parents
    • Share

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    a mom with a pink background

    Hi, I'm Joanna! Wife, and mom of 2. Here you will find a mom friend to talk all things motherhood, beauty, baby tips, pregnancy, and more!

    More about me →

    a 2023 planner with text overlay that reads free printable and 24 pages

    Halloween

    • collage of six different halloween shirts with text overlay that reads the best Halloween tees
      12 best halloween shirts (for moms and teachers)
    • a living room decorated for Halloween with text overlay that reads 31 days of Halloween movies for kids
      31 days of halloween movies for kids (in 2023)
    • Halloween countdown blocks witch hats wreath kleenex cover and an alphabet sign with text overlay that reads classroom halloween decor
      9 Classroom Decorations for Halloween
    • collage of ten different halloween treats snacks and other party food
      41 Halloween Party Snacks for Kids

    What's Popular

    • a-baby-who-is-crying
      Gassy newborn: a parents guide to help
    • a mom combing her baby's hair
      Complete guide to Cradle Cap and Baby
    • a 1 year old holding a sippy cup
      Transitioning from Formula to Milk
    • a pregnant woman holding a purple gift by her belly bump
      Awesome Baby and Pregnancy Freebies

    Features

    collage showing HuffPost Today parenting team, Verywell family, Newsweek Lifewire, Workest by Zenefits, Msn, and GoodRx Health

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Connect

    • Contact
    • Sponsor

    About

    • About Us
    • Accessibility

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures

    She's Your Friend provides information for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice. See our privacy policy for more details. Posts within this website may or may not contain affiliate links. She's Your Friend is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

    Copyright © 2018-2023 She's Your Friend

    She's Your Friend
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.