Walking into a hospital room to visit a child with cancer can feel overwhelming. You want to bring joy and normalcy to their day, but finding the right words isn't always easy. The good news? Kids facing illness are still kids who love to laugh, dream, and talk about everything except being sick.
At Cancer Kickers Soccer Club, we've learned that some of the best visits happen when we set aside medical talk and focus on what really matters: connection, fun, and reminding these brave children that they're so much more than their diagnosis.
Before you visit, know that every hospital and oncology unit has different visitation rules and safety measures. Check with the staff and the patient’s guardian beforehand!
The best conversations often start with simple, open-ended questions that let kids share what excites them:
"If you could have any superpower for a day, what would you choose?" Follow up by asking what they'd do first with their new power. You might hear everything from flying to school to turning vegetables into ice cream. Have an answer of your own ready!
"What's the funniest thing that happened to you this week?" Kids find humor everywhere, even in hospital rooms. Their stories might surprise you with their resilience and ability to find levity. Maybe a nurse made them laugh, their lunch Jell-O wiggled just the right way, or a call with their best friend turned particularly silly.
"If you could create a new holiday, what would we celebrate?" National Pizza for Breakfast Day? Pets Wear Costumes Week? Their creativity will amaze you.
"What's something you're really good at that most people don't know about?" Every child has hidden talents and interests. Maybe they're amazing at origami, know everything about dinosaurs, or can name every Pokémon. Discovering these talents shows you see them as a whole person, not just a kid with cancer.
Sometimes the best conversations happen while doing something together:
Bring a deck of cards or travel games. Simple games like Go Fish or Uno create natural conversation without pressure. The focus stays on fun, not forced dialogue.
Start a collaborative story. You begin with "Once upon a time, there was a soccer ball that could talk..." and take turns adding sentences. Stories can get wonderfully silly and create shared memories.
Ask them to teach you something. Whether it's their favorite TikTok dance, how to draw their favorite cartoon character, or fun facts about their favorite YouTube channel, letting them be the expert builds confidence and connection.
Follow their energy level. Some days are chattier than others. If they're tired, even sitting quietly together while they watch their favorite show counts as quality time.
Siblings need attention too. If brothers or sisters are present, include them in conversations and activities. They're part of the team, too!
Short visits can be perfect visits. Quality matters more than quantity. A genuine 15-minute conversation beats an awkward hour any day.
Let them lead. If they want to talk about their treatment or how they're feeling, listen with compassion. But never feel like you need to bring it up.
Your presence alone sends a powerful message: "You matter. You're not forgotten. You're part of our team." Sometimes the most meaningful visits aren't about what you say but simply being there, ready to talk about whatever brings a smile to their face.
Remember, our brave teammates are kids first, patients second. They want to talk about their favorite movies, complain about homework (yes, even in the hospital!), share their dreams, and debate whether pineapple belongs on pizza. By focusing on normal “kid” conversations, you're giving them something precious: moments where cancer doesn't define the conversation.
Every visit, every conversation, every shared laugh strengthens the bonds of our Cancer Kickers community. Because when we come together, we remind each teammate of our core belief: you're never alone in this fight.
We're kicking cancer to the curb, one conversation at a time.
Want to support a young teammate? Visit our website to learn more about nominating a child for a care package or supporting our mission of bringing Comfort, Community, and Connection to children facing cancer.