How We Help
Our Programs & Supports
From the moment of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, or bereavement, the Kids with Cancer Society is here. Discover our low-barrier programs and community supports.
Our programs are entirely free and designed with a low-barrier entry point, meaning no complicated paperwork, no endless waiting lists, and no need to navigate the challenges alone. Whenever you are ready, we are here.
Wherever You Are in the Journey
Open the stage that matches where your family is today.
Newly Diagnosed
The initial weeks following a diagnosis are a whirlwind of medical terms, fear, and profound change. We help you find your footing. From immediate financial navigation to emotional peer support, we ensure you have what you need from day one.
Active Treatment
Active treatment can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you navigate every step of this confusing path.
- Counselling & Emotional Wellness: Professional, compassionate mental health support for parents, siblings, and the child undergoing treatment to help process the complex emotions of a diagnosis.
- Education & Academic Supports: Treatment shouldn’t mean falling behind. We provide specialized educational scaffolding to keep your child connected and learning.
- Family Programs & Activities: Our recreational and therapeutic programs are open to all KWCS families completely free of charge. They offer children a chance to experience the joys of childhood again, while giving families opportunities to make lasting memories together.
Survivorship
Ringing the end-of-treatment bell is a massive milestone, but the journey doesn’t end there. When a child and the family are transitioning to life after cancer, the daily logistics can overwhelm a household. We provide practical solutions to ease day-to-day pressures, foster resilience, and ensure a health crisis does not compromise a child’s future.
- Wrap-Around Psychological Care: To mitigate long-term trauma, our multidisciplinary team of Registered Psychologists, Support Counsellors, Child Life Specialists, and Grief Experts delivers customized, trauma-informed care through talk, music, play, and art therapy.
- Our Learning Support Model: Life-saving treatments can impact a child’s developing mind. Our specialized educational programs ensure medical challenges do not become lifelong academic setbacks. Our support includes the BrainWorks Program, Cancer in the Classroom, tailored tutoring and assessments, and post-secondary bursaries.
- Connection and Community: Isolation is one of the heaviest burdens a cancer family carries. Through targeted community programming including Caregivers Connect, Creative Hearts, Little Heroes, NextGen, #Trending and more, we build confidence, elevate caregiver voices, and mobilize a dedicated network of over 100 volunteers.
Bereavement Support
For families who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child, our support never expires. We offer a dedicated, compassionate community where grief is held with the utmost respect.
- Dedicated Peer Community: A regular, facilitated support group for parents walking a similar path.
- Honouring Memory Resources: The annual Time to Remember event, memory tracking, and a dedicated space to celebrate and remember your beautiful child.
- Compassionate Counselling: One-on-one professional grief support for all family members, tailored to your timeline.
Have questions or need more information?
Contact Blair Lewis, Family Services Manager. No forms, no waiting lists — just a conversation whenever you’re ready.
Low Barrier, Always Free
