Our Model
Wraparound Care for the Whole Family
We strongly believe that comprehensive, family-centered programs are essential to effectively treat children with cancer. That is why we provide Wraparound Care — free-of-charge programs and services designed to address the unique, complex, and evolving needs of families from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, and bereavement.
No Child or Family Faces Cancer Alone
Our mission is to ensure that no child or family faces cancer alone. We proudly support:
- Children between the ages of 0–17
- Siblings of children with cancer
- Parents and caregivers of children with cancer
- Childhood cancer survivors
- Bereaved families
- Residents of Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories (NWT)
- The pediatric cancer medical community
Our Pillars of Support
To effectively minimize family disruption and reduce the immense stress of a cancer diagnosis, our services are built upon core pillars. Each pillar addresses a critical area of need, ensuring families have the healing, practical, and recreational tools they need to cope.
Financial Support: Removing Barriers & Relieving Pressure
A cancer diagnosis forces families into unexpected financial strains — from missed work to rising day-to-day expenses. Our programs provide immediate, emergency funding relief so parents can focus on what matters most: being present for their child.
- Financial Assistance: A dedicated fund helping families offset the rising costs of daily living and diagnosis. Whether it’s parking, groceries, or travel for treatment, families apply this support towards the bills that ease their burden at the time.
- Parking Passes: Removing the daily financial barrier of hospital parking so families can access care without added stress.
- Medical, Palliative & Bereavement Support: Ensuring financial restrictions never stand in the way of essential medical needs or compassionate end-of-life care.
Emotional & Mental Health: Connection & Community
Childhood cancer is profoundly isolating. We provide professional mental health resources and family-first programming to turn isolation into community and fear into shared strength.
- Counselling Services: Free, professional emotional and psychological support tailored for kids, parents, and caregivers.
- Caregivers Connect: A space for parents and caregivers to relax and bond, co-hosted by experienced KWCS parents.
- Compassionate Hearts: Dedicated peer support gatherings hosted by bereaved parents, offering a safe space for bereaved caregivers and siblings to share grief and find healing.
Practical Support: Lightening the Daily Load
The logistics of cancer treatment can overwhelm a household. We step in with hands-on, practical solutions to ease day-to-day pressures.
- KWCS House & Papa Ken’s House: Free accommodation providing a comfortable, supportive “home away from home” for rural families staying near the hospital. Read more about our facilities.
- General Support: Meaningful touchpoints throughout the journey, including our Newly Diagnosed Backpack (custom care backpacks for the whole family, delivered directly to a hospital bedside), the Beaded Journey, Gifts of Courage, and Hospital Pizza Nights.
Educational Support: Keeping Kids on Track
Cancer treatment often forces children to miss significant school time, creating learning gaps and social disconnect. Our educational pillar ensures survivors and young learners have the tools to thrive.
- BrainWorks: A specialized program giving kids the targeted cognitive, emotional, and academic tools they need to overcome the side effects of treatment and get back on track in school.
- Cancer in the Classroom: In-school presentations designed to educate and prepare classmates, building an empathetic, supportive environment for a child returning to school.
- Learning Support: Focused academic assistance to help students keep up with their studies during or after treatment.
- Post-Secondary Bursaries: Financial bursaries designated for childhood cancer survivors pursuing higher education.
Financial assistance is now available for 2026 to address educational challenges associated with childhood cancer. To learn about this program and to obtain an application form, please contact Blair Lewis, Family Services Manager: blairl@kidswithcancer.ca or call 780-667-0285.
Ready to apply?
Bursary applications are reviewed each year for survivors heading into post-secondary study.
Beyond Basic Care: Hospital & Research Support
We are a separate community of support that partners alongside the healthcare system.
Kids with Cancer Society is an independent charitable organization. We are not a hospital program, a government service, or part of the Stollery Children’s Hospital. We partner alongside the healthcare system to fund advancements in the wider pediatric oncology landscape.
Clinical & Hospital Support
We provide vital funding to the Stollery Children’s Hospital to complement basic medical care. This includes supporting Child Life activities and specialized resources; professional development and continuing education for frontline medical staff; and upgrades to special spaces on the pediatric oncology unit.
Research Funding & Innovation
For a child fighting cancer, a clinical trial is often a lifeline. Through our partnership with the University of Alberta Hospital and the Muriel and Ada Hole KWCS Chair in Pediatric Oncology, we drive innovation to make treatments both more effective and less toxic.
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Active research studies funded at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, ensuring local families can access experimental, life-saving agents without the financial and emotional burden of travelling to distant centres.
Cutting-Edge
Clinical trials coordinated through the Northern Alberta Children’s Cancer Program to directly improve overall survival rates and long-term quality of life.
Always Free of Charge
