How we help - Childhood Cancer Association

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family needs critical support services to help them cope.

That’s where the Childhood Cancer Association steps in.

Your generous donations pay for us to provide a comprehensive range of 30 professional services.

Remember, we get no support from government to be able to do this work.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the key services we provide for children with cancer, and their families.

Counselling

We provide free counselling to family members involved in a child’s direct care.

Our trained team of professional counsellors listen; they also develop skills and strategies to help families through.

It’s an approach that recognises every family is unique and it’s a service that’s tailored accordingly.

Putting Families First

Our Families First program is a broad mix of services that’s been designed and developed to meet the key needs of families who are on this journey with us.

Alongside advocacy and support, the program includes

Hospital visits — by our trained counsellors to give families additional support while their child is receiving treatment

SIBS — Super Important Brothers and Sisters — school holiday activities to help siblings understand and cope with what’s happening to their brother or sister

Hospital support pack — an overnight bag for families when in hospital that includes essential toiletries, a diary, a digital thermometer, family entertainment passes, and, of course, Elliot, our mascot!

Financial assistance — available to families experiencing hardship, and coordinated through the family's social worker at the Women's and Children's Hospital

Childminding — for the child with cancer and/or their brothers and sisters

We also provide a range of bereavement support services where they are required.

Families of children with cancer should
visit our families section.

Watch Thomas’s Story

Watch this 5 minute film where Chris Hartley talks through his family’s journey after his son’s diagnosis of a brain tumour and the support he received from the Childhood Cancer Association.

View film