Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Parents With Cancer

Contact Parents With Cancer

617-632-3301
EMAIL

The Parents With Cancer program at Dana-Farber supports adults with cancer who are also caring for children at home. We provide information, resources, and one-on-one support to help you and your family cope as you navigate cancer treatment.

Who We Help

If you are receiving treatment at Dana-Farber, your care team can connect you with a social worker, parenting consultant, or another clinician with parenting expertise. They can help you find the best ways to support your children as you navigate cancer.

While our program focuses on families with children ages 0-18, our information can help families with young people of all ages. Also, when we use the term "parent," we mean anyone who takes care of a child. This includes grandparents, guardians, and other caregivers. We understand that any caregiver's illness can impact children. Our resources are intended to support all families.

How We Help

Cancer can be stressful for the whole family. We offer tools and support to help you and your family navigate cancer treatment.

  • Resources: Check out the downloadable "Parents With Cancer" tip sheets on this page that cover practical topics along with book recommendations, community groups, and tips to support families coping with a parent’s cancer.
     
  • Support: If you'd like one-on-one guidance, ask your care team to connect you with one of our social workers or Parents With Cancer consultants.

Getting Started: Talking With Your Child About Your Cancer

There is no right or wrong way to talk about cancer. The best way depends on your child’s age, developmental stage, ability to manage challenges, as well as their personality and ways of coping. Every family is unique, but you don’t have to do this alone.

For practical help, see our downloadable "Parents With Cancer" tip sheets below. These are designed for parents who are navigating cancer and their children of all ages and abilities.

Talking with your child about your cancer can be hard, but we are here to help.

Tip Sheets and Other Resources

Family Connections Backpacks

It may be comforting for your child to know that they are on the minds of your Dana-Farber care team. That’s why we created "Family Connections" backpacks that include comfort items, art supplies, and helpful tips for parents. They are designed for children of different ages.

To request a backpack for your child, call a social worker at 617-632-3301 or email parentswithcancer@dfci.harvard.edu.

Events

Each year, we offer "Parenting with Cancer: A Family Workshop" in collaboration with the Young Adult Program, the Young and Strong Program for young adults with breast cancer, and the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center. This free, in-person event is designed to help parents learn tips for talking with children about a cancer diagnosis and treatment, supporting their everyday routines, and helping them thrive. Participants can connect with other parents and receive information about community resources.

The Workshop also includes a concurrent program for kids aged 6-17. Activities are age-appropriate and not focused on cancer. This event is open to all cancer types and family types.

Save the Date

The next occurrence of "Parenting With Cancer: A Family Workshop" will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2027.

Please check back here for the event registration link as the event approaches.

Talking With Children About Metastatic Breast Cancer (or any advanced disease)

Nina Muriel, MD, MPH, discusses how to approach communicating with the children in your life when someone they love is living with metastatic breast cancer. Although the video was made specifically about breast cancer, the approaches may be relevant for many types of advanced disease.

External Sources of Support

The following organizations support children whose parents have cancer. They offer help through books, activity kits, parent webinars, summer camps, and virtual groups for children and teens. This list is provided as a resource; we do not endorse any specific organization.

Bright Spot Network
Offers virtual groups, financial help, free books, activity boxes, resources, and postpartum support.
brightspotnetwork.org

The Children’s Treehouse Foundation
Founders of the CLIMB program for children and parents
childrenstreehousefdn.org

Kesem: A Child’s Friend Through and Beyond a Parent’s Cancer
Offers free summer camps, day programs, and virtual meetups for children.
kesem.org

On Belay
Offers free, adventure-based programming for children and teens who have a loved one diagnosed with cancer.
on-belay.org

Pickles: Kids Supporting Kids (English and Spanish)
Offers webinars, virtual children’s support groups, family support kits, and peer support.
picklesgroup.org

Wonders and Worries (English and Spanish)
Offers a free support line, children’s groups, mobile app, podcasts, and videos by parents and children for parents and children.
wondersandworries.org

Additional Resources to Explore

Dana-Farber's Bereavement and Grief Support program provides support to family members and friends after the death of a loved one in our care. They also offer guides for coping with loss. Email Bereavement_program@dfci.harvard.edu or call 617-632-2490 for more information.

Program Leadership

You know your children best. We know how to help families cope with cancer. 
Let’s get through this together.

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