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Home > About childhood cancer > For parents >Supporting a child through cancer treatment tests families physically, emotionally, socially and financially. But you don’t have to make the journey alone.
Your child’s doctors and nurses are there to support you and your child every step of the way. Other professionals, including psychologists, counsellors and your CLIC Sargent Social Worker, are there to help and support you too – don’t be afraid to ask for support for yourself whenever you need it.
Parents often say that other families they meet at the hospital are an invaluable source of support and encouragement. Others find online communities helpful.
Organisations and websites
There are a variety of organisations that can offer you and your family support and information. They include:
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- Action for Sick Children
Advice and information for parents who have children in hospital.
www.actionforsickchildren.org
Freephone: 0800 0744 519 - Leukaemia CARE
Support for anyone affected by leukaemia.
www.leukaemiacare.org.uk
Care line (Freephone): 0808 8010 444 - Macmillan Cancer Support
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.
www.macmillan.org.uk
Freephone: 0808 8080 000 - React
Helps children with life-limiting illnesses.
www.reactcharity.org
Tel: 020 8940 2575
You may also find these websites useful:
- www.cancerhelp.org.uk
Reliable cancer information from Cancer Research UK. - www.cclg.org.uk
Latest information about children and young people’s cancers from the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG). - www.click4tic.org.uk
Interactive website produced by Macmillan for teenagers with cancer. - www.royalmarsden.org/captchemo
Website and interactive game explaining cancer and its treatments. - www.whybother.org.uk
Cancer information website by Macmillan for children and young people.
Books for children
CLIC Sargent produces a range of books that can help you talk to your child about their cancer and its treatment.
These can all be downloaded here or you can complete this form to order them. They include:
- Mary has a brain tumour
- Joe has leukaemia
- Lucy has a tumour
- Tom has lymphoma
- Chemotherapy, Cakes & Cancer – book about life on a cancer ward, written by 14-year-old Megan Blunt. Suitable for children aged 9-14.
- Fighting the Big C – explains all about cancer and treatment. Suitable for young people aged 13+.
Books for you
Your child’s doctors and nurses will give you information to help you understand your child’s cancer and its treatment. You may find these useful too:
- A parent’s guide to children’s cancer – available from Macmillan on 0808 8080 000.
- How can the internet help us? - available from www.cclg.org.uk.
- CCLG also produces a range of useful booklets which can be downloaded at www.cclg.org.uk or ordered online here.