26 Aug, 2025
You're sitting under harsh fluorescent lights, gripping your child's hand so tightly your knuckles ache. The anxiety that's been gnawing at you for weeks now feels suffocating—you'd been waiting for the doctor to call with test results, but instead, they asked you to come in. And there, in that sterile exam room that smells like disinfectant and fear, you hear the word that's been lurking in the back of your mind since the symptoms started: cancer. Your world tilts. Where do you even begin? You can barely string together a coherent thought, let alone figure out what to do next. First, let us say this: we are so deeply sorry. No child should face cancer. No parent should have to hear those words. If you're reading this because you've just received this devastating news, know that you are not walking this path alone. Thousands of families have stood exactly where you're standing right now, and while each cancer journey is different, you don't have to figure it out in isolation.
12 Aug, 2025
What comes after cancer? For so many parents and caregivers, this question seems almost absurd. When your child has cancer, there’s no next year or next week. There’s just right now. Time seems to stop when your child is battling cancer. As much as it may feel that way, more children than ever before are surviving long after cancer is gone. Survivorship for 5 years and beyond is at a record 85%! What comes after might seem far away, but take heart. Chances are better now than they’ve ever been. For pediatric cancer nonprofits, medical professionals, families, and caregivers, understanding what improves survivorship outcomes is essential to giving every child the best chance at a full and healthy future. Equip yourself with the knowledge of what makes for not just surviving cancer but thriving afterwards.
29 Jul, 2025
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents suddenly become medical advocates, emotional anchors, and fierce protectors. One of the most potent tools in pediatric cancer care is something you might not be familiar with: Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) surveys. These reports go beyond lab tests and scans. They capture how a child feels—physically, emotionally, and mentally—throughout their treatment journey. Last year, the National Cancer Institute shared the results of two clinical trials focusing on the outcomes of cancer care when incorporating PRO surveys for patients ages 8 to 18. The results? Kids who shared their cancer symptoms and side-effects with their care team through PRO surveys began experiencing fewer symptoms because of more targeted supportive care! That’s great news! But what happens when the patient is too young to communicate clearly? Never fear. Younger pediatric cancer patients aren’t left behind. It’s simply where parents and caregivers step in as vital partners in care. Let’s dive in deeper.
