A cancer diagnosis raises a wide range of challenges and concerns. Fortunately, there are local and national resources to assist children and teenagers with many of the issues that come up. This fact sheet describes several kinds of services available to children and teenagers with cancer and their loved ones, and how to find the help you need.
Support Services
CancerCare for Kids
800-813-4673
Provides counseling in NYC, NJ and CT. Offers online teen support groups moderated by oncology social workers. Telephone support is available for parents nationwide.
American Childhood Cancer Organization
855-858-2226
Offers free books and publications for families of children with cancer. Online peer support for parents and caregivers.
Cancer Support Community
888-793-9355
Centers in many cities that provide support services for children affected by cancer.
Group Loop
Program of the Cancer Support Community. Offers professionally monitored discussion boards and online support groups for teens with cancer or affected by a loved one’s cancer diagnosis.
Kids Konnected
Support services and care packages for children who have a parent with cancer or are bereaved.
Look Good…Feel Better
800-395-5665
Program that helps teens deal with appearance, health, and social side effects of cancer treatment. Offered in select hospitals and online.
My Cancer Circle
Free, private support community for caregivers. Online tool to organize the community of people who want to help.
SuperSibs
Provides support to siblings of children with cancer.
Camps
Camp Kesem
260-225-3736
One-week sleepaway camp for children who have a parent who has (or has had) cancer. Sixty-two chapters throughout the United States.
Camp Quality USA
330-671-0167
Free weeklong camp for children with cancer. Locations in 12 states.
KiDS NEED MoRE
631-608-3135
Free weeklong sleepaway camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. Open to those in tri-state area.
Sunrise Day Camp
516-766-4341
Free day camp for children with cancer and their siblings (ages 3-16). Sunrise Day Camp at Pearl River serves Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County, southern Connecticut and northern New Jersey.
Lodging
American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
800-227-2345
Provides free lodging in various cities for a patient & caregiver traveling for treatment.
Ronald McDonald House
Provides free or low-cost lodging for families who must travel for their child’s medical treatment.
Wigs
Children With Hair Loss
734-379-4400
Provides human hair replacements to children at no cost.
Wigs for Kids
440-333-4433
Creates free hair replacement systems for children experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment.
Books for Children With Cancer
Kathy’s Hats: A Story of Hope by Trudy B. Krishner and Nadine Bernard Westcott
Henry and the White Wolf
by Tim Karu
H Is for Hair Fairy: An Alphabet of Encouragement and Insight for Kids (and Kids at Heart!) With Cancer
by Kim Martin
Books for Children with A Loved One with Cancer
Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings
by Ellen McVicker
(Available in Spanish)
The Paper Chain
by Blake, Blanchard & Parkinson
In Mommy’s Garden
by Neyal J. Ammary
Kemo Shark
by Kidscope, Inc.
Life Isn’t Always a Day at the Beach
by Pam Ganz and Tobi Scofield
When Someone Has a Very Serious Illness: Children Can Learn to Cope with Loss and Change
by Marge Heegaard
My Daddy Sits Upon a Star
by Claire Grainger-Valvano, LCSW
e-Book for Teens with Cancer
CanTeen: A Young Person’s Guide to Dealing with Cancer
Books for Teens with Loved a One with Cancer
What About Me?: A Booklet for Teenage Children of Cancer Patients
by Linda Leopold Strauss
To order, call 513-731-3346
Will I Get Breast Cancer?: Questions and Answers for Teenage Girls
by Carole Vogel
Both Sides Now
by Ruth Pennebaker
When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens
National Cancer Institute
Books for Parents/Caregivers
How to Help Children Through a Parent’s Serious Illness
by Kathleen McCue
Can I Still Kiss You? Answering Your Children’s Questions about Cancer
by Neil Russell
Cancer In the Family: Helping Children Cope with a Parent’s Illness
by Sue P. Heiney, Joan F. Hermann and Katherine V. Fincannon
Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child: When a Parent is Sick
by Paula K. Rauch
When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children
by Dr. Wendy Schessel Harpham
The information provided here is purely informational and does not imply endorsement from CancerCare nor does it guarantee eligibility for assistance.