For the more than 10,000 families living with childhood cancer, a diagnosis changes far more than a child’s health. It often impacts school, siblings, work, finances, relationships and everyday family routines.
This September, Childhood Cancer Canada is inviting people in Canada to face the unimaginable together, because no family should have to navigate this journey alone.
We’re sharing the voices and experiences of children, survivors, caregivers and families to help everyone understand the realities of childhood cancer that often go unseen.
What is one thing about childhood cancer that people don’t see?
Maybe it’s the challenge of trying to maintain routines for siblings, while one child misses their first day of school. The financial stress of treatment, alongside childcare costs. The mental load of caregiving and learning to live with uncertainty. Or discovering that life doesn’t simply return to normal when treatment ends.
Share your story, create awareness.
Tell us about one moment, experience or reality of childhood cancer that others may not see. Share a photo, video or short reflection on social media to help others understand what families face and remind other families that they are not alone.
Share your family’s childhood cancer story with us by sending photos or videos with us via email: [email protected]
Join the conversation on social media by sharing your unimaginable and tagging us: @childhoodcancercanada
For many children, September means new classrooms, new teachers and the excitement of starting another school year. For children with cancer and their families, back to school season can look very different.
A child may be missing school because they are in treatment. A sibling may be starting the year without their brother or sister. A caregiver may be balancing work, appointments and the demands of supporting their child. And for children who have completed treatment, returning to school can bring challenges that aren’t always visible to others.
Here’s a glimpse into what Back to School Season looks like through the eyes of families who have experienced childhood cancer.
The week before starting junior kindergarten, Luca’s life was turned upside down with a stage 4 childhood cancer diagnosis.
Read more about Luca’s journey HERE.
Alice was just 10 months old when doctors at SickKids Hospital confirmed she had brain cancer.
Read more about Alice’s journey and the beautiful book series her bravery inspired HERE.
In 2017, at just two years old, GP was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Yet through it all, GP’s joy, resilience, and ability to embrace life never wavered.
Read more about GP’s story HERE.
SUPPORT | Visit a Local Landmark
Join landmarks across the country, as we Make Canada Gold in honour of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September. Help us shine a light on childhood cancer!
For a full list of landmarks and locations going gold, please visit HERE.
DONATE | Support Families Today
Your support helps Childhood Cancer Canada provide financial relief and mental wellness support to families across Canada, from diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship and bereavement.
Beyond family support, your donations help us fund critical research and clinical trials that bring hope to families.
Donate now!
ADVOCATE | Help Us Advocate for Better Support for Caregivers
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents and caregivers often face impossible choices. Many must reduce work hours or leave their jobs altogether while managing the emotional, practical, and financial demands of treatment and care.
At Childhood Cancer Canada, we believe families should not have to face these challenges without adequate support.
Join us in calling for the support families deserve.
1. Download these printables
2. Print your favourite one
3. Share a picture with your favourite sign on social media, so your friends, family, and community know that your first day looks different this year. Use the hashtag
#MyFirstDayLooksDifferent
Looking for more social media assets to share?
We’ve got you covered HERE!
Looking for more social media assets to share?
We’ve got you covered! Download these social media assets to share on your own social channels to help raise awareness of childhood cancer.
Through our trusted family partner, Strong Like Sloane, we are honoured to share classroom resources created by Sloane’s mom, Claire, to help their school community learn more about childhood cancer while Sloane was undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma.
These thoughtful resources are now available to help more classrooms and school communities across Canada build awareness, understanding and compassion for children and families facing childhood cancer.
Grâce à nos partenariats, nous contribuons à la recherche essentielle, aux essais cliniques et aux traitements novateurs qui donnent aux enfants une chance de survie, de santé et de longévité.
Notre programme de bourses permet aux survivants de reconstruire leur vie et de poursuivre leurs objectifs scolaires afin qu’ils puissent vivre la vie dont ils rêvent, au-delà du cancer.
Qu’il s’agisse de fournir des ressources éducatives et une aide financière ou de susciter des moments de joie, nous offrons des soins continus et attentionnés aux familles à chaque étape de leur parcours avec le cancer.
