How to Support Pediatric Cancer Patients and their Families
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. The child may experience anxiety, fear, sadness and frustration as they cope with the uncertainty of illness and isolation away from family and friends. Parents and caregivers may experience stress and emotional upheaval, while siblings often experience worry and uncertainty.
You can support cancer patients and their families with resources to support their emotional wellbeing.
Resources like Starlight programs can create positive environments that aid children’s comprehensive care while boosting their emotional wellbeing through their journey with cancer.
Meet Ashton
Ashton, one of five girls, is “mommy’s little helper.” Ashton’s loving and generous heart compels her to be the first one to help her mom around the house or with her sisters.
In August 2023, the doctors discovered a tumor, diagnosing Ashton with medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Many hardships followed during Ashton’s journey with cancer, including two brain surgeries, forcing her to relearn how to use her eyes, eat, walk, and talk. She’s completed six rounds of radiation and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
As Ashton navigates the tumults of living with pediatric cancer, she handles each situation with perseverance and grace.
“She truly is a cancer warrior and the epitome of endurance and perseverance. I am in awe of how she handles every day, every new treatment, and every new symptom. I am in awe that she never complains. I am in awe that many days, my sweet daughter is so much stronger than I am. I am in awe that Ashton is the most beautiful girl, inside and out.” ~ Amanda, Ashton's mom
Ashton celebrated her birthday while in the hospital after her first brain surgery. Her family did the best they could to celebrate her birthday in her hospital room with the help of their friends, family, and community. Amanda reflects on Ashton’s attitude that day:
“Despite the pain she was in, being restricted to her bed with tubes and monitors everywhere, and an eye patch on her eye, she still managed to tell us, ‘This was the best day ever.’ And that is just who Ashton is. She's our hero, our optimist, our grateful, sweet, and amazing sister and daughter.”
Boosted by her community’s support, Ashton’s optimism and spirit are strong. The support for Ashton’s family doesn’t stop there. The Starlight Families program provides her with crucial resources while at home.
Through this program, Ashton received Starlight Toy Deliveries including art kits to play with, a colorful Starlight Hospital Gown that she wore for her second surgery, and a Starlight Virtual Reality headset for her family.
Ashton’s entire family benefits from these resources, as her sisters received backpacks and bonded over playing on the VR headset. Amanda elaborates:
“I’d say the one the whole family has absolutely loved is the VR headset and some of the funniest memories we’ve had over the past few months have been watching the girls play on there, especially for the first time. Even dad can hog it too.”
When Ashton feels exhausted every day, throws up almost daily, and grapples with losing her hair, programs like these provide her and her family respite and happiness.
“As a parent, there are so many things I grapple with as Ashton is forced to face brain cancer, and all that comes with it...But through it all, she’s been so strong, and we are so thankful for organizations like Starlight, who don’t forget about our girl and understand her journey all too well.” ~ Amanda
Each year in the US, about 15,000 kids are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Give seriously ill kids Starlight programs to improve their emotional wellbeing and empower them through some of the most trying moments of their lives.
Donate today.
