Each year, thousands of families hear news they never want to receive; their child has been diagnosed with cancer.
There are around 400,000 children around the world who are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization.
For children, the most common types of cancers are leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma and bone cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
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When a child receives a cancer diagnosis, the family needs support from loved ones around them.
Below are ways that you can show your support for a parent whose child receives a cancer diagnosis.
- Make a donation
- Help out with other kids
- Give them space when they need it
- Offer to assist with household chores
- Be a good listener
1. Make a donation
The cost of cancer treatment can put a huge financial strain on families.
To help ease that burden, you can help raise money for the family. You can do this by setting up a simple GoFundMe with their permission.
You could also set up a fundraising event to raise money, such as a 5K run or a dinner. These types of events are not only a great way to raise money, but they also bring the whole community together for the family, allowing them to be surrounded by support.
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2. Help out with other kids
For a family whose child is diagnosed with cancer, a lot of the focus is going to be placed on that child, leaving the other children in the family possibly lacking support for the time being.
Offer to help out with the other children in the family to keep them busy and also take some pressure off the parents.
One way to do this is by offering to help with rides so that they can still attend after-school activities and spend time with friends.
Maybe offer to take the other siblings for a day out, to take their minds off topics that are cancer-related or illness-related.
3. Give them space when they need it
While it is important to provide support, you also do not want to be overbearing.
Do not step outside your bounds, and be mindful of when the family wants time to themselves.
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They will need your support, but will also need to spend time alone with their kids. Do not be offended if a family needs a little bit of space.
Remember that they are going through a difficult time. There may be periods when they need extra support, and other moments when they will need a little extra space.
4. Offer to assist with household chores
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can put a big strain on the whole family. Parents may be wary of explicitly asking for help, but that does not mean that they do not need assistance.
Any small gesture, like putting together a dinner that the family can pop into the oven, can be extremely helpful. Providing assistance around the house like taking the dog out for a walk or straightening up can also be a big help.
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Also, do not be afraid to offer your support. It can be hard for families to ask for help, but knowing you are there for them can provide a lot of comfort.
5. Be a good listener
Families who receive a cancer diagnosis are going to be feeling a lot of different emotions — and they may just need a shoulder to lean on.
Be a good listener and allow people to speak their minds to you.
Try to stay away from providing your own medical advice when having these conversations, unless they ask for your opinion.
Leave those conversations between the parents and the doctors to come up with the best medical treatment for the child.
Your primary role in these conversations is being an active listener, not giving unsolicited advice.
