Family support
We provide strength and comfort to families, parents and children impacted by child cancer. Below is more information about the types of support we provide.
Family Support Coordinators
Family Support Coordinators are at the heart of Child Cancer Foundation and everything we do. Family Support Coordinators provide personalised support for families following a child's diagnosis and referral. They help them navigate childhood cancer and connect them with other people and services that can give additional support.
Video: A day in the life of a Family Support Coordinator - meet Rayleen. A special thanks to Latitude Financial Services for producing this video, enabling us to share our story.
Wellbeing Packs
Our wellbeing packs includes little things that will have been forgotten in the rush to hospital and practical items to help during their stay and when they return home. Basics like toothbrushes and shampoo; a comforting blanket, pillow and books; details of the support Child Cancer Foundation provides, our Beads of Courage® programme; along with hospital maps and fact-sheets, all packaged into a backpack.
Travel Assistance
Over 70% of the families Child Cancer Foundation supports have to travel outside their community to receive treatment. Even for families who live near to the hospital, the cost of petrol and parking from hundreds of trips quickly adds up! We assist with travel costs to help keep families together.
Family Places
There are Child Cancer Foundation Family Places in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, all within walking distance of the local hospital. They provide a safe, clean environment for children on treatment. They all have fully stocked kitchens, toys, books, wifi, computers, and private space for families to meet with their Family Support Coordinator. Some also have a laundry, showers and clothing of all sizes.
Household Support
We offer help by assisting with groceries, heating and electricity costs as well as other basic living needs that families may struggle to meet during such a difficult time.
Holiday Homes
Our Holiday Homes are currently closed and will re-open on Friday, 26 September 2020.
While we stand shoulder to shoulder with every family – we also know there are times when they just need to be together to reaffirm their strength as a unit and create precious memories. Families are able to take a week out for free at our holiday homes in Taupo or Arrowtown.
Personal Development Grants
The Child Cancer Foundation provides personal development grants to children with cancer, their siblings or parents. The grants can make all the difference to a family in need and often empowers the recipients to move forward with their lives.
Support in the Community
We coordinate local parent support groups and provide camps for families and siblings of children with cancer, allowing them to connect, communicate and find strength from shared experiences. Our 22 voluntary branches comprised of parents, caregivers, and volunteers nationwide host regular social activities, offering mutual support and shared experiences. To view our 2020/2022 Family Events Calendar click here.
BEADS OF COURAGE® is a federally registered trademark of Beads of Courage Inc. and is used under licence. We are proud to provide the BEADS OF COURAGE® program, which is owned by and licensed from Beads of Courage, Inc. dba Center for Arts in Nursing. For more information on BEADS OF COURAGE®, visit: www.beadsofcourage.org