Many national and local organizations offer services to help pediatric cancer patients maintain a high quality of life throughout their treatment and beyond. Your social worker can help you access any programs that might benefit your child:

School issues: Your social worker is available as a resource both to you and your child’s school as your child goes through treatment and as he or she transitions back to school.

Wish organizations: If your child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, he or she may be eligible for a wish through a wish organization. We view this as a way for your child to have something to look forward to after all of his or her treatment is completed. Please ask your social worker for information about wish granting organizations. Please note that most organizations require that the child be at least three years old.

Scholarships: There are organizations that provide college scholarships for pediatric cancer survivors, including the American Cancer Society. Please contact your social worker for more information.

Camps: There are many camps for children diagnosed with cancer and other chronic illnesses. Some camps include siblings as well. Camp Kaleidoscope is a week long camp offered each summer by Duke for children with chronic illnesses that are treated at Duke. The American Cancer Society also provides scholarships for any other camp that your child might like to attend. Please talk with your social worker if you are interested in Camp Kaleidoscope or learning more about camps and scholarships.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: This organization has many resources to answer questions about health insurance coverage and other issues related to cancer treatment and survival. 

American Childhood Cancer Foundation: This nonprofit organization’s mission is to “educate, support, serve and advocate for families of children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer and the professionals that care for them.” More information can be found at candlelighters.org.

Rainbows of Love: This is a nonprofit organization that provides personalized pillowcases to children with cancer. One of the founder’s daughters is a cancer survivor, and she is the inspiration for the project. Please contact your social worker if you are interested in having a pillowcase made for your child.

Samantha Dolls: This nonprofit organization provides handmade dolls to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each doll is made by volunteers and has “Jesus Loves You” stitched on his or her chest. Contact your social worker if your child would like to have one of these dolls. For more information, visit samanthaproject.org.

SuperSibs: This organization provides support services to siblings of children with cancer. If you are interested in more information about this program please contact your social worker or visit supersibs.org.