Kids Cancer Support Resources

An obvious amount of support on many different levels is required when approaching kids cancer support. From communication about diagnosis, to activities, and support groups, there are resources for families at every level of their journey. Even if you are not the family looking for these resources, you can still learn how to support friends with kids who have cancer.

How To Explain Cancer To A Child

Learning how to talk to a child about cancer can be difficult for everyone involved. A parent might be finding it hard to process on their own, let alone offer an explanation and kids cancer support. But, your child depends on you and the care teams for reliable and truthful information. 

Some common questions may be: 

What is cancer?

• When supporting kids with understanding cancer, it is important to use simple but honest communication. Explaining that cancer is not contagious helps them understand they were not put in danger and will not be passing it to anyone else. A younger child may need to hear that there is a lump (tumor) in their body that is making them sick and causing their body to not work like it should. 

Why did I get cancer?

• Some kids may believe that they did something wrong to have this happen to them and others wonder why. When supporting kids with cancer, it is important to let them know that there is nothing they or anyone else did to give them cancer. For example, “I am not sure, even the smartest doctors don’t know why kids get cancer, but we do know that it’s not contagious”

Will I get better?

• Many children have heard of cancer and know of people who have died. They may be extremely scared and not sure how to process this. Tell your child the following: Cancer is a serious illness, but the doctors are giving you treatments that have helped many other children like you. You can even offer to have your child sit with the doctor to learn more about the type of cancer they have. 

How will my treatment feel?

• Children often see other cancer patients who have lost their hair or are very ill so they will wonder if these treatments are going to hurt. First, you may need to learn more form the doctors and nurses about the treatment so you can give an accurate explanation about how the treatment will feel. 

Support Groups For Children

Many pediatric hospitals have groups that can support kids with cancer. These are groups that know how to include fun while also expressing and working through emotions. This is a place for kids to find support and express how they feel without fear of making their parents or families sad or scared. Plus, children can find support here by building long term relationships.

Talk about how support groups can help children understand their emotions and situations they’re going through.

Activities For Children With Cancer

Kids' cancer support doesn't just end here. Cancer treatment is draining and very difficult, especially for children. Having strong relationships and fun activities to support them through treatment is crucial. There are endless lists of activities children can do to keep them entertained and keep their minds off of the difficult things they are going through. Here is a list of activities that MIB agents offer to support kids with cancer.   

Pen Pals: Warrior Mail, OsteoWarriors receive monthly letters of hope and cheer from MIB Agent Writers around the world.

• Agent Writers receive a PDF of info on each child, with that information, they compose their letters and send them to MIB Agents HQ to be mailed to OsteoWarriors.
• Learn how you can recieve warrior mail or become an agent writer here.

Games: Agent GAMERS game with their fellow OsteoWarriors and OsteoSiblings. When Gaming with Agent Gamers, they connect with trained Ambassador Agents while virtually leaving the world behind.

• Help support your child and have them come game with us! 

Religious Activities: Prayer Agents are available for urgent or ongoing prayer requests.

• Whatever your spiritual practice, you are welcome to join us in support of our OsteoWarriors, OsteoFamilies, and OsteoAngels.

These, and every MIB Agents program, is free of charge, thanks to generous donors who Make it Better. 

How To Support Friends With Kids Who Have Cancer

If you are not a parent of a child with cancer,  you may wonder how to support friends with kids who have cancer. First, it is good to be aware of the fact that your friend's whole life has been turned upside down and may not know where to start when asked if they need help. However, regardless if they ask or not, here's some way you can offer them support without them asking. 

Let them know you are there for them

The most simple thing you can do is just keep in touch. Let them know you are there for them and just check in every once in a while. You may not know how to offer their kids cancer support, but you can offer them support.

Help with the other children

Having a child go through treatment can really throw off the family routine. Maybe they need other children to be picked up from school, taken to after school activities, or brought dinner. 

Offer the family meals

Even if you can’t flat out make meals or bring them food, you may be able to help go grocery shopping for them or help them prepare meals

Give them a lift

Having company going to and from the hospital or other activities can take some of the pressure off and make it more of a fun outing

Get hospital gift cards

Your friends will be spending an awful lot of time at the hospital. Getting a gift card to one of the shops for the children or maybe to the food in the area can be helpful

Help with chores

Offer to do some gardening or house chores. It is likely your friends do not have time or energy to be as on top of things as they once were.

Handle the hard stuff

As a parent learning how to support their kids with cancer, the constant phone calls, emails, and updates can be draining. Maybe offer to call and make appointments or sedan needed emails. 

Offer them a break 

Choose an activity your friend will enjoy or let them choose. It is important they get alone time too. Maybe you can offer to watch their kids as they go on a walk, go to a coffee shop, or just take a nap.

Fundraise!

This may be obvious but fundraising can be a great way to show support. This could be raising money through schools, virtual events, or bake sales! Be sure to consult  with your friend before doing something as they may not want everyone to know what they are going through right away. Reach out to MIB Agents for more!

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