Bulletin Board
There are lots of events and programs for families affected by childhood cancer, hosted by external foundations and partners. Check out these events, programs, conferences and gatherings.
This exciting 45-minute program is designed to introduce children with special needs to the sport of artistic gymnastics. Our preschool programs are designed to lay a strong foundation in basic gymnastics which is beneficial for any future sports children may participate in.
- Click here for the current schedule.
Articles of Interest
Browser our treasure trove of research papers on childhood cancer.
Not as good as we want, not as bad as we’ve heard: Teen mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
Physical and functional performance assessment
Schulte, F., et. al. "Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Daily Challenges.
Wroot, H. et. al. "Fear of cancer recurrence among survivors of childhood cancer."
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, "Adolescents & Young Adults with Cancer."
Moules, N. et al., ""A Tribe Apart”: Sexuality and Cancer in Adolescence."
Moules, N. “Examining the Effects of Childhood Cancer on the Parental Subsystem.” Part 1
Moules, N. “Examining the Effects of Childhood Cancer on the Parental Subsystem.” Part 2
Moules, N. “Examining the Effects of Childhood Cancer on the Parental Subsystem.” Part 3
Moules, N. et al., “Grandparents' Experiences of Childhood Cancer." Part 1
Moules, N. et al., “Grandparents' Experiences of Childhood Cancer." Part 2
Scheinemann, K. "Grandparents: A hardly recognized part of the childhood cancer family."
Additional Resources
These other organizations and projects are wonderful resources for families.
Ac2orn: Advocacy for Canadian Childhood Oncology Research Network
Ac2orn is committed to advocating for Canadian researchers and clinicians as they implement the dream of curing pediatric cancer through translational research and effective treatments.
Accessible YYC
An open-source Google Map where customers and owners can identify local Calgary businesses accommodating to those with accessibility concerns.
Alberta Health Services: On Immunization
Children with cancer need others to be immunized. They are especially vulnerable to infection because the chemotherapy compromises their immune system. Infection can be life-threatening for a child with cancer. If you have any doubt about immunization, please talk to your doctor. In the meantime, check out these links from Alberta Health Services.
Alberta Children’s Hospital
The Alberta Children’s Hospital is used by patients from birth to age 18 from southern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and southwestern Saskatchewan as multi-disciplinary teams work together to promote healing through family-centered care.
Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative(AFWI)mobilizes knowledge about early brain development and its connection to lifelong physical and mental health. They bring together stakeholders from many disciplines to collaborate on health solutions that will directly impact families and individuals.
Art Therapy and Cancer
How art can help those with cancer.
C17 Council
The C17 Council is an organization composed of the institutionally appointed heads of the sixteen pediatric hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant programs across Canada. We represent the interests of children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders and act as an authority.
Canadian Cancer Research Alliance
Canadian Cancer Research Alliance is an alliance of organizations that collectively fund most of the cancer research conducted in Canada – research that will lead to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer and improve survivor outcomes.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
Cancer Chat Canada
Cancer Chat provides free professionally-led online support groups for Canadians affected by cancer, including patients, survivors and family members. Support groups are structured to provide emotional support and a place to safely discuss personal topics.
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs
Candlelighters seeks to enrich the lives of children and their families coping with childhood cancer and to promote awareness and understanding about the impact of childhood cancer on children and their families.
CAPOC: Canadian Association of Pediatric Oncology Camps
CAPOC/ACCPO provides camps for kids with cancer with a resourceful community and invaluable networking opportunities. At CAPOC/ACCPO, our goal is to share cancer-camping best practices with the goal of ensuring that every child affected by childhood cancer in Canada has the opportunity to participate in the safest camp possible.
Childcan, The Childhood Cancer Research Association
Childcan raises funds to provide responsive and compassionate support services to families during the childhood cancer journey – from diagnosis, treatment, recovery, or bereavement.
Childhood Cancer Canada
Childhood Cancer Canada (CCC) is a national charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. The organization offers scholarships to childhood cancer survivors.
Childhood Cancer Guides
Childhood Cancer Guides is a non-profit that publishes award-winning books for families of kids with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer. Their books include a mix of accurate medical information that is reviewed by renowned experts in pediatric oncology and true stories—practical, poignant, moving, funny—from hundreds of children with cancer, their siblings, and their parents. Our guides empower families with knowledge, practical suggestions, emotional support and helpful resources.
Childhood Cancer International
Childhood Cancer International (CCI; formerly International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations) was founded in 1994 as an umbrella organization of childhood cancer grassroots and national parent organizations. Today, CCI is the largest patient support organization for childhood cancer. It is a global, parent-driven non-profit that represents 181 parent organizations, childhood cancer survivor associations, childhood cancer support groups and cancer societies in 90 countries across five continents.
Children's Cancer Web
This website is one of the most comprehensive resources for cancer links anywhere. One-stop shopping for everyone with information about childhood cancer from the National Institutes of Health.
Children's Oncology Camping Association International
COCA is an international assembly of people providing camping programs for children with cancer. Many of the member camps serve a broad range of special needs populations, but all members share the common thread of working with pediatric oncology patients.
Children's Oncology Group
The Children’s Oncology Group provides important information for children and their families from the time of diagnosis, through treatment and following cure.
CLIC Sargent
This UK-based foundation is an excellent resource for cancer information and has a great online community for families facing childhood cancer.
Community Key
Community Key helps families that are caring for a seriously ill or critically injured child in paying their mortgage or rent payments, allowing them some relief from one of their largest financial burdens.
Cord Blood Banking - Canadian Blood Services
Blood in the umbilical cord and placenta is rich with blood-forming stem cells that can help save the lives of patients with diseases and disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma and aplastic anemia. With your consent, Canadian Blood Services can collect cord blood when you deliver your baby for Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank—to be used by anyone who needs stem cell treatment.
Cord Blood Banking - How It Works
Cord blood can only be collected at birth, that’s why it’s important to do your research well before your baby’s due date. Watch this short video to learn exactly how cord blood is collected, processed and stored.
Cord Blood Banking - Insception Lifebank
With over 20 years of cord blood banking experience, Insception Lifebank has processed and stored more than 65,000 cord blood units, the largest number of all Canadian cord blood banks.
Cure4Kids
Cure4Kids is a website dedicated to improving health care for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases in countries around the globe. Cure4Kids provides continuing medical education focusing on pediatrics and oncology, and global communication tools to health care professionals and scientists worldwide. Explore this free resource and start collaborating worldwide.
CureFest Canada
CureFest’s mission is to make childhood cancer research a national priority by uniting the childhood cancer community, the general public, the medical community and our elected leaders as one voice against the disease. CureFest is a trade-show-like approach, where various organizations and foundations related to childhood cancer get together in a public place to raise awareness about childhood cancer.
Curesearch
Although this website is American, it contains a wealth of information for Canadians with up-to-date information on childhood cancer for patients, their families, their physicians and health care advisors.
Current Oncology
Current Oncology is a Canadian-based journal, which is distributed internationally for health professionals, patients, caregivers and families. An excellent online resource for anyone who wants to understand cancer, it also features an excellent online support network for patients and loved ones.
Dads in Grief
Dads in Grief is a support group of bereaved fathers who have lost young children from birth to 17. They host events in Calgary, Alberta where dads can get together and share their unique journey of grief in a casual and comfortable setting. Dads in Grief is offered through the Noah Samuel Foundation.
The Ewings Cancer Foundation of Canada
It is the aspiration of the Ewings Cancer Foundation of Canada to provide hope for those that are and those that will be affected by Ewing sarcoma. We are committed to funding medical research to find new and better treatments and ultimately, the cure.
Feel Better Friends
Feel Better Friends are handmade dolls stuffed with love and well wishes, crafted by volunteers and donated to children battling cancer and other illnesses.
First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
This is a real life-thriller about a family’s battle to save their son from a zero-chance-of-survival diagnosis. With the world’s best doctors and the advocacy of his parents, Louis Unger would fight the battle for his young life. His grit and incredible attitude led to a breakthrough that would change how cancer is treated today. This is not a medical journal or a how-to guide. It is a true page-turner that gives you a front row seat to a miraculous story of courage, inspiration and determination. All proceeds from this book will go to the Carrot Seed Foundation where they will be used to fund neuroblastoma clinical trials and support the children and families who are stricken by this disease.
Gilda’s Club Toronto
If you or someone you know has cancer, this site will introduce you to a program of social and emotional support that benefits anyone living with cancer. Men, women and children diagnosed with cancer and their family and friends are always welcome here.
Give A Mile is a registered non-profit in Canada and the U.S. that offers flights to connect people in palliative or critical care with loved ones, giving them the chance to create moments and memories that will live on. Donations cover round-trip flights of compassion, travel fees, and taxes so families can focus on what matters most: sharing final moments with their loved ones.
Helping Families Handle Cancer
This Calgary-based charity provides financial support for families who are struggling to make ends during a child's cancer battle.
Hope Air
Hope Air is a not-for-profit organization that arranges free flights to low-income patients in need of long-distance travel to health care facilities.
Hope and Cope
Hope & Cope is a charitable organization that helps people cope with cancer, whether its a child's cancer or adult's. Although they are based in Montreal, they have great online resources.
Hope Portal
The Hope Portal is a free, continually-updated directory of curated childhood cancer family support organizations in Canada and The United States.
Icing Smiles
This is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child.
Imaginary Friends Society
Here you’ll find kid-friendly videos covering a wide range of cancer-related topics – everything from defining cancer itself to chemotherapy and MRIs. Please share them with anyone, young or old, who might benefit from seeing them.
Journey Through Loss of a Young Child Society
This is a group of grieving mothers in Calgary who meet to share and heal their losses. They hope to be a beacon for those who are grieving the loss of their young child. Coffee shop meetings happen once a month.
KidsGrief.ca
KidsGrief.ca is a free online resource that helps parents support their children when someone in their life is dying or has died. It equips parents with the words and confidence needed to help children grieve life’s losses in healthy ways.
Kids With Cancer Society of Alberta
Kids With Cancer is an Edmonton-based charity that provides programs and services to children with a history of cancer and their families.
Knight's Cabin Cancer Retreats
More cancer patients than ever are surviving intensive cancer treatments. The mental and physical impact of cancer does not disappear when treatments are done. Cancer survivors often face physical, emotional, psychosocial, spiritual and financial challenges as a result of their diagnosis. Knight's Cabin Cancer Retreats offer a place for survivors to unplug and unwind in order to focus on what matters most in their lives. The retreats also offer practical, research-based health behaviour counselling on physical activity, nutrition, stress and sleep to help prevent secondary disease, recurrence and aid long-term effects of treatment to help survivors make the best of the rest of their lives.
Leucan
For more than 35 years, Leucan has been committed to helping cancer-stricken children and their families. In addition to its support to clinical research, the association provides specific and personalized services to families: emotional assistance and support, financial assistance, referral services, massage therapy, hosting and support in hospital's playrooms, socio-recreational activities, an awareness program in school, end-of-life and bereavement follow-up, as well as the Leucan Information Centre in Quebec.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society provides free information, education and support services for those who are impacted by blood cancer. For personalized disease, treatment or support information, contact your local chapter.
National Cancer Institute
Information to help caregivers cope while caring for a loved one with cancer. It also offers help to individuals with cancer talk about and cope with the illness.
Neuroblastoma Canada
Neuroblastoma Canada is a national community-based organization dedicated to uniting Canadian families affected by neuroblastoma.
Noah Samuel Foundation
The Noah Samuel Foundation was established in memory of Noah Samuel Catto, who passed away in 2018 at the age of three. The foundation offers financial support for funeral expenses to eligible parents who have lost a child (0 and 17 years). It also brings together bereaved fathers through a community-based grief support group, Dads in Grief, where they can relax and share in their journeys of love and loss.
Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer (OPACC)
OPACC was established in 1995 and is comprised of representatives from parent groups, parent contacts, and other family members from across the Province of Ontario. Our members are parents, guardians, survivors, or close relatives of a children and teens diagnosed with cancer.
Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators Consortium
POETIC is comprised of a network of ten leading academic medical centers. Their members serve a geographically and ethnically diverse patient population with an emphasis on comprehensive cancer care and research.
Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)
Pediatric oncology specialists in Ontario have collaborated closely since 1983 to deliver the right care at the right time and in the right place for children with cancer and their families. POGO champions childhood cancer care through collaborations in health care innovation, survivor care, family assistance, population data, policy development, research and education.
Pediatric Oncology Exercise Manual
The Pediatric Oncology Exercise Manual (POEM) aims to inspire and promote an active lifestyle for children with cancer in order to help them counteract cancer treatment side effects and achieve a better quality of life. Check out these infographics regarding exercise for children affected by cancer.
Radiation Treatment Guide with Vanessa and Felix
Vanessa and Felix walk children through what it's like to get radiation treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. This video was created in partnership with Kids Cancer Care and Alberta Health Services.
Redkite: Grandparent Study
When a grandchild is diagnosed with cancer, many grandparents feel like their world has been turned upside-down. Grandparents not only worry about their grandchild with cancer, but for their son or daughter (and/or their partner) and their other grandchildren. This booklet attempts to answer some of the many questions that grandparents of children with cancer face.
Start the Talk
This resource is a guide for educators, healthcare professionals, patients and those close to them to support children and teens when a family member has cancer.
Team Finn
Team Finn is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to raising childhood cancer awareness and to raising funds for cutting edge pediatric cancer research. Team Finn is named after and celebrates the life of Finn Sullivan.
Together St. Jude
A resource for patients and families facing childhood cancer, Together provides information about diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and life after childhood cancer along with stories from patients and families who have been there.
Viacord
Saving lives. Improving health. Making a difference today. That's the power of your baby's cord blood stem cells. Learn about cord blood banking.
Virtual Hospice
The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care to patients, family members, health care providers, researchers and educators.
Wellspring Calgary
Wellspring is a network of community-based support centers offering programs and services that meet the emotional, social, practical and restorative needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. All Wellspring programs, services and resources are offered free of charge and without referral.
World Health Organization
The primary role of WHO is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations’ system. These are the main areas of work:
- Health systems
- Promoting health through the life-course
- Noncommunicable diseases
- Communicable diseases
- Corporate services
- Preparedness, surveillance and response
Infographics
Check out these infographics relating to childhood cancer. Please click to view.
COVID-19 and mental health of childhood cancer survivors
Myths vs. Facts: Childhood Cancer Survivors
Physical Activity and Childhood Cancer
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