Child Cancer Foundation Tauranga
Every week in New Zealand three families are told their child has cancer. By providing much needed help and support on a day to day basis from diagnosis onwards the Child Cancer Foundation ensures each child and their family will never feel alone.
The Foundation supports each child and family throughout treatment and subsequent transition back into the community. We aim to reduce the impact of cancer by offering services to ensure children and their families are supported, informed and well cared for.
This assistance is provided by our dedicated Child Cancer Family Support Coordinators, Child Cancer parents and volunteers.
Our Family Support Coordinators work with children and families in hospital, at the Child Cancer Foundation Family Places, at home and in other community settings.
Our experienced Coordinators work with Health Professionals, schools and related community and government organisations to support the special needs of children with cancer and their families.
Families have commented the child cancer experience is overwhelming and we are the calm in the eye of the storm.
The Foundation’s work with children with cancer and their families is a high value, cost effective, unique service which receives no direct government funding or support from other cancer agencies. We rely solely on the generosity of supporters, donors, volunteers and sponsors.
What we do
- Assign a designated Family Support Coordinator right from time of a child’s diagnosis.
- Follow up with hospital, home and community visits.
- Provide “Beads of Courage®”, a therapeutic programme to recognise the strength and courage of each child on their cancer journey. Sibling Beads recognise the special role brothers or sisters have in supporting a child with cancer.
- Distribute child cancer and support related information including introductory kits, books and links to other resources.
- Coordinate support groups to connect families.
- Coordinate programmes, sibling days, camps, and back to school support.
- Support palliative and bereaved families.
- Provide some financial assistance through difficult times.
- Link and coordinate with other agencies and community support groups.
- Advocate for the special needs of children with cancer and their families.
- Provide Family Places – facilities where local children and their families, as well as those away from their home towns for treatment, can relax, meet with other families and source information and support in a caring and private environment.
- Organise social activities, meetings and parent support groups.
- Publish “Sharing” three times a year, a magazine produced by the Foundation to connect and inform families around the country.
- Award education and development scholarships to assist children with cancer, their siblings and parents to reach their potential and not be disadvantaged by the cancer journey.
- Provide respite and time out at Child Cancer Foundation Holiday Homes.
- Support Health Professionals financially in child cancer research and medical education.
Visit www.childcancer.org.nz for more information.
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