For Patients & Families

A place to learn and build connections

The mission of Parents Together is to provide a space for parents to:

• Create a toolbox of educational and supportive resources to help you manage the challenges a family faces after their child's diagnosis.
• Build connections with other parents who are experiencing similar struggles.

A childhood illness affects the whole family. Many parents find themselves overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate treatment and the changes it will bring. They may worry about how to best care for their child while still maintaining routines at home and caring for their other children, too.

It's common to feel isolated or lost during this challenging time. Our social workers and psychologists in Pediatric Psychosocial Oncology are here to help you manage many of these feelings and develop strategies for your whole family to get through treatment.

Parents Together helps parents of children treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center cope with treatment by providing resources and guidance in areas such as:

• Managing treatment side effects
• Helping your child take their medications
• Improving family communication
• Supporting siblings
• Accessing support for your child's education

Group Programming

Parents Together is excited to continue our partnership with Momcology®, to bring "Connections: Pediatric Cancer Caregiver Support"© to families in 2022. This group series offers parents an opportunity to connect with others who can relate to the experience of having a child undergo treatment:

• May 20, 2023: Navigating Through Change
• July 19, 2023: Finding Calm in the Storm

Register for the Momcology series.
You can also check the Dana-Farber Events Calendar for additional programs that may be of interest.

Downloadable Tip Sheets for Patients, Families, and Caregivers

Family Communication
Fostering Good Nutrition During Treatment
Limit Setting and Behavioral Expectations When Your Child is Sick
Making the Most of Your Child’s Medical Appointment
Managing Roadblocks for Your Child’s Education
Mindfulness Activities with Children and Adults
Nausea Management
Problem-Solving
Sibling Support
Social Support
Some Simple Ways to Bring a Bit of Calm into the Chaos
Supporting Your Child During Medical Procedures
Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child is Sick
Tips and Tools for Helping Your Child Take Their Medication

Opportunities for Online Support and Education

Several online organizations offer opportunities for parents to support one another through groups, one-on-one peer matching, and chat features. Many of these organizations also offer additional opportunities for education about your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and emotional coping. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, we encourage you to check out the opportunities for support and education through the following organizations:

• Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
• Leukemia Lymphoma Society
• National Cancer Institute
• ACCO
• Family TIES (Together in Enhancing Support)
• Courageous Parents Network
• Momcology: To access the private group for Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center on Facebook:
  • For new members: Visit momcology.org and click "Join Us" to be taken to a membership form on which you can select the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center as your group 
  • For current members: Email info@momcology.org or message Momcology Admin Team via Facebook to be added to the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center group

Caregiver Corner at the Blum Pediatric Resource Room

Our Patient Activities Team hosts the Caregiver Corner in the Blum Pediatric Resource Room at the Jimmy Fund Clinic. This space includes a variety of materials for caregivers to utilize while in clinic or at home, such as crafts, books, journals, workbooks, adult coloring books, and much more.

Resource room staff have also developed a resource guide for pediatric caregivers. Materials focus on four main topic areas and include supports available both at Dana-Farber and from the community. The guide can be picked up at the Blum Pediatric Resource Room or here.

Caregivers of Young Adult Patients

DF/BCC Young Adult Program: The Young Adult Program (YAP) supports young adults (~ages 18 to early 40s) receiving care for a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. YAP also provides supportive opportunities for caregivers of this population of patients including:

• YAP quarterly caregiver e-newsletter: highlights various resources and programs available both at Dana-Farber and from the community. Subscribe by emailing yap@dfci.harvard.edu.
• YAP Twitter Conversations:
  • Defining What You Need from Your Parents as a Young Adult with Cancer
  • #YAPchat: Communicating with parents as a young adult with cancer

CancerCare: provides telephone, online and face-to-face counseling and support groups, as well as educational programming and materials. CancerCare runs one 15-week support group specifically for caregivers of adult children. Get information and register.

Elephants & Tea: National non-profit media organization with the mission of connecting young adults and their caregivers via blogs, writing, virtual programming, and other forms of self-expression.

Cactus Cancer Society: National non-profit organization that offers a variety of wellness/supportive programs and resources solely for young adults and their caregivers. Programs include a creative writing workshop, book club, DIY crafts, and opportunities to connect with others virtually.

Stupid Cancer: National non-profit organization that offers both resources and programming for everyone affected by AYA cancer with a special section for caregivers.

Additional Resources to Explore

A Parent's Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer
American Childhood Cancer Organization
Dana-Farber School Liaison Program
Dana-Farber Sibling Program

Contact us

For more information about Parents Together, please email parentstogether@dfci.harvard.edu.