Resources

Many websites and organizations provide comfort and resources for critically ill children and their families. We’ve compiled a list of helpful resources.

General Support

Brave Kids - Find medical information and resources for children with special needs, chronic illness and disabilities such as: autism, cancer, cerebral palsy, ADHD, ADD and more. Brave Kids provides parents and children with information on health services, financial assistance, support groups, child care, dental assistance, camps, transportation and physical therapy to name a few.

KidsHealth - If you're looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that's free of "doctor speak," you've come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

So we do not lose heart.

— 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Sibling Support

Sibling Support Project - The Sibling Support Project is the only national effort dedicated to the interests of over six million brothers and sisters of people with special health, mental health, and developmental needs. Our mission is accomplished by training local service providers on how to create community-based peer support programs for young siblings.

Super Sibs! - SuperSibs! is dedicated to ensuring ongoing comfort, recognition and support to children with brothers and sisters who have cancer. SuperSibs! helps these siblings to redefine the cancer experience to use these life lessons for strength, courage and hope as they move into the future. No longer are these "shadow survivors" forgotten, and alone as they battle feelings of fear, insignificance, guilt, helplessness, anger and grief.

Wish Foundations

Children's Wish Foundation International - Wish Coordinators make up a professional team with over 20 years of experience in creating unique, carefree wishes that, depending on the type of wish, include all travel arrangements, accommodations, tickets, full detailed itineraries, expense money, volunteer support, carefully planned presentations to fit the family’s schedule, and the promise of lots of surprises along the way. Every detail is planned to perfection, allowing the family to enjoy "Family Time", creating precious memories to forever cherish.

A Special Wish Foundation - A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disorder. Founded in 1982, A Special Wish Foundation was one of the first wish-granting organizations in the United States, and now has chapters across the U.S. and one in Moscow, Russia. Since 1982, wishes have been granted to thousands of qualifying children.

Make-A-Wish Foundation - Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, they’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the U.S. every 40 minutes.

Cancer Support

HopeWell Cancer Support - The mission of HopeWell Cancer Support is to create a community for all people with cancer, their families and friends, which encourages an exchange of information, the development of a support system and the presence of hope. This organization is based out of Lutherville, Maryland.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation - The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation National Office was founded in 1970 by concerned parents of children with cancer. This site explains clearly, in age appropriate language, what cancer means directly to the child diagnosed with the disease. It also includes support groups, upcoming events, clinical trials, reading material, and links to an incredible amount of helpful sites.

Cure Search - National Childhood Cancer Foundation - CureSearch unites the world's largest childhood cancer research organization, the Children's Oncology Group, and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through their mission to cure childhood cancer. The site does a good job at directing information towards specific groups such as friends, family, parents, and of course, the patient. It also lets you customize the type of cancer you have as well as you age for more pertinent information.

I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation - Founded in 2007 by young adult survivors and for young adult survivors, the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation is a global leader in the fight against cancer working exclusively on behalf of survivors and their care providers under the age of 40. Opportunities like weekend spa retreats, online forums and blogs, social networks, camping excursions, fertility education, peer counseling, college scholarships, financial aid, happy hours and more!

Brain Tumours Support

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation - The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the search for the cause of and cure for childhood brain tumors. As the world's largest nongovernmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research, they’re dedicated to not only eradicating this disease, but to providing support to families (description from site). The site offers an online conference series for parents about different elements of the illness including sibling stress, risk factors, school re-entry and much more.

National Brain Tumor Society - The National Brain Tumor Society offers top-notch resources and caring support for everyone affected by brain tumors. They offer hope to patients, families, and caregivers during every stage of the treatment journey. The organization also offers a program to put current patients in contact with survivors who can relate to what is going on and offer hope for the future.

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation - This organization works to improve the treatment, quality of life and the long term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy to families and survivors. Also offers a Parent to Parent support network as well as online conference and support information.