Free programs, products, and services are available to support children and young adults diagnosed with cancer and their families across the United States. These resources are designed to address the unique needs that arise during a cancer diagnosis, offering financial assistance, emotional support, and tangible items to ease the burden on patients and caregivers. All support services and products listed in the available documentation are provided completely free of charge to patients, caregivers, and families living throughout the U.S.
Financial Assistance and Support Services
Specialized no-cost programs exist to help with the financial challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. These programs are tailored specifically for young cancer patients and can assist with travel, housing, treatment costs, copays, deductibles, and prescriptions. In addition to financial aid, there are specialized programs offering peer and professional counseling to help families navigate the emotional complexities of the diagnosis.
Care Packages and Comfort Kits
Several organizations provide free care packages and comfort kits designed to provide education and comfort to childhood and teenage patients during their treatment journey.
American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
The ACCO provides comfort kits for children and teenagers who have received a cancer diagnosis. These kits include: * A large collapsible duffel bag for transporting items to and from medical facilities * A blanket * A pillow case featuring ACCO’s mascot, Cozy * A pack of playing cards
The kit is designed with the goal of easing the patient’s transition to treatment.
The Stronghold Ministry
This organization offers a gift basket that contains educational materials and items to support individuals after diagnosis. The free care package includes a tote, faith-based inspiration, and a Subway gift card for people fighting cancer.
A Model Patient
A Model Patient provides free care packages for breast cancer patients who are currently in active treatment in the USA.
Cool Kids Campaign
The Cool Kids Campaign provides care packages for kids with cancer that are delivered directly to the child’s doorstep.
Kids Cancer Resources
In honor of founder Cayden Robertson, Kids Cancer Resources sends a free, themed care package to children fighting cancer and their siblings. Families can choose a themed package containing various items related to self-care, playful toys, or creative crafts.
Lock Boxes of Love
This program sends personalized care kits free of charge to the siblings (ages 0-18) of childhood cancer patients in the USA. The gift boxes are tailored to the age, gender, and specific likes of each child and may contain items like books, stuffed animals, toys, and blankets.
Kylie’s Care Packages
Created in honor of the founder’s daughter Kylie, this is a free care package program for childhood cancer patients in the USA who are in active treatment. Each care package is uniquely customized for the specific recipient.
Cancer Care Parcel
Cancer Care Parcel offers carefully curated gifts and care packages for kids with cancer. These items are designed to be useful and fun distractions, appearing as normal gifts but with hidden uses to make cancer treatment and hospital visits easier to cope with. * Status: The organization has temporarily paused both free and purchased care packages while fulfilling the existing free care package backlog and awaiting further funding and product donations. * Safety: The hampers are safe for all therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery. * Contents: Each gift pack includes comforting, fun, and useful items such as games, pillows, and other great gift items. The organization has a strict rule not to include food or anything mentally or physically challenging.
Gifts and Companionship
Various organizations provide stuffed animals, dolls, and other companions to help children understand their treatment and provide comfort.
Pablove Shutterbugs
This is a free program from The Pablove Foundation that offers children and teens a creative voice through photography. The program is open to cancer patients ages 6-18 in the USA who are currently living with cancer or in remission. All lessons and materials, including a camera kit, are provided at no cost to cancer families.
Hats Off for Cancer
This organization provides free hats for kids and teens experiencing hair loss due to treatment. Since 1996, Hats Off for Cancer has donated nearly 3,000,000 brand new hats to hospitals, camps, and individuals worldwide. Requests can be made using their online contact form.
Wigs for Kids
This program provides free wigs for kids who have experienced hair loss due to cancer. All children 18 and younger with a medical referral are eligible. The child receives a custom wig based on needs and preferences and works with a local stylist to ensure the fit is right.
Icing Smiles
Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families in the USA impacted by the critical illness of a child. These cakes are created by volunteer bakers (Sugar Angels) and are offered at no cost to the families.
Stuffed Animals and Medical Play Kits
- American Childhood Cancer Organization: Provides Cozy the Cat, a stuffed animal that serves as a teaching tool and companion for children before, during, and after cancer treatment. They also provide a medical play kit at no charge.
- Ari’s Bears: Provides new stuffed bears and other animals to children fighting illness in hospitals and respite houses. Siblings are also included.
- Bee Brave Buddies: Offers a choice of a Bee Brave Buddy Chemotherapy Doll, an UnBeelievably Brave mini blanket, a Buzzy Brave Bee-Snugglee Pillow, or their Bee Brave With Me book.
- Children’s Cancer Research Fund: Provides a huggable C.C. Bear (Cure Cancer Bear) to children with cancer as well as their siblings, families, and friends.
- Cure Search for Children’s Cancer: Through a partnership with Mattel, this organization offers a Brave Barbie doll for children in the US and Canada to help children understand hair loss. Select from a doll with dark skin tone and a dark brown wig, or a light skin tone and a blonde wig.
- Feel Better Friends: Provides custom-made dolls for children 2-16 with a serious or life-altering medical condition. Dolls are made with the child’s likeness in mind, matching eye and hair color and replicating the child’s favorite outfit to the best of their ability.
Additional Resources
Summer Camps and Scholarships
There are free options available for pediatric oncology summer camps for children with cancer and their siblings. Additionally, scholarships are available for childhood cancer survivors and siblings.
Travel Assistance
Nonprofit organizations exist that help with travel expenses for cancer treatments.
Gifts for Caregivers
Free gifts are also available for caregivers to support them through the cancer journey.
Conclusion
A wide variety of free resources, including care packages, comfort kits, financial assistance, companionship items, and specialized programs, are available to support children and young adults with cancer and their families throughout the United States. These programs are designed to address the specific emotional, practical, and financial challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Families are encouraged to explore these options to find the support that best fits their needs.