Berni & Murcer’s List of Pediatric Cancer Resources
for Parents and Caregivers:
1. National Organizations
American Cancer Society (ACS): Provides comprehensive resources on childhood cancer, including treatment options, support services, and coping strategies. https://www.cancer.org
Children’s Oncology Group (COG): Offers information about childhood cancers and treatment protocols, as well as access to clinical trials. http://www.childrensoncologygroup.org
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Focuses on treating and curing pediatric cancer, providing resources for families, including financial assistance and educational materials. https://www.stjude.org
Childhood Cancer Guides
Cure Search
National Cancer Institution
American Childhood Cancer Organization
2. Support Networks
Candlelighters: A national organization that supports families affected by childhood cancer through emotional and practical support. https://www.candlelighters.org
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF): Offers support and resources for families, including educational materials and funding for research.
https://www.pcrf-kids.org
Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research. www.makingheadway.org
Childhood Cancer Alliance of Connecticut is an alliance of organizations serving children in Connecticut affected by cancer, and their families. www.ctcanceralliance.org
3. Counseling and Emotional Support
Cancer Support Community: Provides free support for patients and families, including online support groups and counseling services. https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org
The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS): Offers emotional support and resources for families, including a Caregiver Support Program.https://www.thenccs.org
4. Educational Resources
Kids Health: Offers articles and resources specifically designed for children and teens dealing with cancer, as well as information for parents. https://kidshealth.org
Cancer Care: Provides free professional support services, including counseling and educational workshops for parents and caregivers. https://www.cancercare.org
5. Financial Assistance
The Max Foundation: Offers financial assistance for children and families facing the costs of cancer treatment. https://www.themaxfoundation.org
6.Temporary Housing
To find temporary housing program for families of cancer patients who are undergoing treatment:
NYC Hope Lodge #212-492-8400
The Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides housing and support for families with children in medical treatment, helping alleviate some of the financial burdens. https://www.rmhc.org
6. Insurance
Patient Advocate Foundation: For assistance with patient insurance or finding programs that will help with costs of healthcare.
https://www.patientadvocate.org
7. Healthcare/Medication Assistance
Needy Meds https://needymeds.org
8. Travel Assistance
To find information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and get referrals to appropriate sources of help available contact:
National Patient Travel Center: https://PatientTravel.org
Corporate Angels
Compass Care
Mercy Medical Airlifts
Air Charity
Air Lifeline
9. Advocacy
The statistics surrounding childhood cancer and cancer are staggering. We understand that your time is precious but it takes very little and there is no commitment to joining these e-campaigns. You will be improving public awareness of the issues surrounding childhood cancer and learning about the current initiatives that affect the care of children with cancer.
Cure Search
LIVESTRONG Foundation
Wear Your Gold Ribbon Pin
10. The National Transplant Assistance Fund
To find help with fundraising for uninsured expenses related to bone marrow transplants, and to research the bone marrow registry.
Transplant Fund
National Marrow Donor Program
Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide
11.Nausea Control
Queasy Pops
12.Local Resources
Hospital Child Life Specialists/Social Workers: Most pediatric oncology units have Child Life Specialists and social workers who can connect families with local resources and support networks.
Community Support Groups: Local churches, hospitals, and community centers often have support groups for families dealing with childhood cancer.
13.Communication
To create a web page to update your family and friends try these useful websites:
Caringbridge
Care Pages
Blogger
14. Summer Camps
Hole in the Wall www.holeinthewallgang.org
Camp Rising Sun www.camprisingsun.com
Serious Fun www.seriousfun.org
15. Wish Foundations
Make-A-Wish www.wish.org
Conclusion
These resources can provide essential support, information, and community for parents and caregivers navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. It's important for families to reach out and utilize these services to ensure they have the support they need.
American Cancer Society (ACS): Provides comprehensive resources on childhood cancer, including treatment options, support services, and coping strategies. https://www.cancer.org
Children’s Oncology Group (COG): Offers information about childhood cancers and treatment protocols, as well as access to clinical trials. http://www.childrensoncologygroup.org
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Focuses on treating and curing pediatric cancer, providing resources for families, including financial assistance and educational materials. https://www.stjude.org
Childhood Cancer Guides
Cure Search
National Cancer Institution
American Childhood Cancer Organization
2. Support Networks
Candlelighters: A national organization that supports families affected by childhood cancer through emotional and practical support. https://www.candlelighters.org
The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF): Offers support and resources for families, including educational materials and funding for research.
https://www.pcrf-kids.org
Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research. www.makingheadway.org
Childhood Cancer Alliance of Connecticut is an alliance of organizations serving children in Connecticut affected by cancer, and their families. www.ctcanceralliance.org
3. Counseling and Emotional Support
Cancer Support Community: Provides free support for patients and families, including online support groups and counseling services. https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org
The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS): Offers emotional support and resources for families, including a Caregiver Support Program.https://www.thenccs.org
4. Educational Resources
Kids Health: Offers articles and resources specifically designed for children and teens dealing with cancer, as well as information for parents. https://kidshealth.org
Cancer Care: Provides free professional support services, including counseling and educational workshops for parents and caregivers. https://www.cancercare.org
5. Financial Assistance
The Max Foundation: Offers financial assistance for children and families facing the costs of cancer treatment. https://www.themaxfoundation.org
6.Temporary Housing
To find temporary housing program for families of cancer patients who are undergoing treatment:
NYC Hope Lodge #212-492-8400
The Ronald McDonald House Charities: Provides housing and support for families with children in medical treatment, helping alleviate some of the financial burdens. https://www.rmhc.org
6. Insurance
Patient Advocate Foundation: For assistance with patient insurance or finding programs that will help with costs of healthcare.
https://www.patientadvocate.org
7. Healthcare/Medication Assistance
Needy Meds https://needymeds.org
8. Travel Assistance
To find information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and get referrals to appropriate sources of help available contact:
National Patient Travel Center: https://PatientTravel.org
Corporate Angels
Compass Care
Mercy Medical Airlifts
Air Charity
Air Lifeline
9. Advocacy
The statistics surrounding childhood cancer and cancer are staggering. We understand that your time is precious but it takes very little and there is no commitment to joining these e-campaigns. You will be improving public awareness of the issues surrounding childhood cancer and learning about the current initiatives that affect the care of children with cancer.
Cure Search
LIVESTRONG Foundation
Wear Your Gold Ribbon Pin
10. The National Transplant Assistance Fund
To find help with fundraising for uninsured expenses related to bone marrow transplants, and to research the bone marrow registry.
Transplant Fund
National Marrow Donor Program
Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide
11.Nausea Control
Queasy Pops
12.Local Resources
Hospital Child Life Specialists/Social Workers: Most pediatric oncology units have Child Life Specialists and social workers who can connect families with local resources and support networks.
Community Support Groups: Local churches, hospitals, and community centers often have support groups for families dealing with childhood cancer.
13.Communication
To create a web page to update your family and friends try these useful websites:
Caringbridge
Care Pages
Blogger
14. Summer Camps
Hole in the Wall www.holeinthewallgang.org
Camp Rising Sun www.camprisingsun.com
Serious Fun www.seriousfun.org
15. Wish Foundations
Make-A-Wish www.wish.org
Conclusion
These resources can provide essential support, information, and community for parents and caregivers navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. It's important for families to reach out and utilize these services to ensure they have the support they need.