Cancer Community Nippising

Child & Youth Cancer

Children and Cancer

Supporting a child with cancer involves providing both emotional and physical care throughout their treatment. It’s important to create a sense of normalcy by maintaining routines and offering comfort in familiar ways, while also being patient with the emotional challenges they may face. Encouraging open communication, offering reassurance, and helping them express their feelings can reduce fear and anxiety. Above all, showing love, warmth, and consistency helps the child feel supported and safe during such a difficult time.

Siblings and Family

Supporting siblings and family members when a child is going through cancer is crucial, as they are also deeply impacted by the situation. Siblings often face emotional challenges, including feelings of neglect, fear, or confusion, as much of the family’s attention is focused on the child with cancer. It’s important to provide them with their own space to express their feelings, whether through counseling, support groups, or simply open communication within the family. For parents, balancing the care of the sick child with the needs of the rest of the family can be overwhelming. Offering resources like financial assistance, respite care, and emotional support can help ease some of the burdens. Family members may also need help processing their own feelings and coping with the stress and uncertainty, which can be facilitated through counseling and support networks. Ensuring that all members of the family feel supported and heard can help them navigate this challenging time together.

What is available in North Bay?

There are few specific resources available locally, but there are some general ones that could be helpful for children. Since local options are limited, we’ll also include resources that are outside of town, which may offer valuable support.


Children from our communities often get treated at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) or SickKids, both renowned for their expertise and resources to make treatment more comfortable.

Counselling

  • North Bay Counselling

    A logo for north bay counseling services with a splash of paint

    North Bay Counselling provides a variety of resources for working with children and youth. Most, if not all, social workers are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), offering trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approaches to care. Services are available in individual, group, and family settings, depending on the specific needs of the client. Through counseling, social workers focus on addressing targeted concerns and enhancing overall well-being.

    Visit North Bay Counselling

  • NNPCN: Grief Counselling

    A butterfly is sitting in front of a yellow moon.

    The Near North Palliative Care Network (NNPCN) is a registered charity in Northern Ontario offering free, volunteer-based Palliative Care, Bereavement, Grief, and End-of-Life services and training. Grief can begin when a loved one is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness (anticipatory grief) and continues through bereavement after death. NNPCN provides free counselling for both individuals and their family members, supporting adults and children through these challenging experiences.


    Cost: free


    Visit NNPCN

  • Hands: The Family Help Network

    A logo for hands the family help network

    Hands is an organization focused on supporting children, youth, adults with developmental disabilities, and families by providing essential care and help when needed. They offer one-on-one and group counselling for children, specializing in a variety of challenging life circumstances. While not specifically trained in cancer-related issues, their counselors are highly skilled in helping children cope with difficult experiences.


    Cost: free


    Visit Hands

Local Support Groups

Currently, there is no support group in place due to various challenges, including the small number of children with cancer, different age groups, limited time for additional activities, and families already overwhelmed. However, the impact of cancer extends beyond treatment, and many changes may need to be addressed for years afterward. Connecting with others at any stage of the process can be incredibly valuable. There are already parents and children in the community who have gone through this experience.


Wouldn’t it be great to establish a mentorship or informal support group locally?

If you are aware of a support group in North Bay or if you’re interested in exploring this idea, please contact us, and we will connect you with others who share this interest.

Other Supports and Information

  • Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC)

    The logo for northern ontario families of children with cancer

    NOFCC is a volunteer-based Canadian charity established in 1998 by parents of children with cancer. Its mission is to provide hope, support, advocacy, and education to families affected by childhood cancer. NOFCC helps families at various stages, including those with a child undergoing treatment, in follow-up care, or grieving a loss. The charity was created to address the unique challenges faced by families, especially those living in northern Ontario, where support services were limited.



    NOFCC offers a wide range of services to support families affected by childhood cancer, including:


    • Financial Assistance Programs for out-of-town and in-town families facing treatment-related financial challenges
    • Emergency Program for urgent needs
    • Patient Amenities for comfort during treatment
    • Tutoring Program to support children’s education
    • Parking and Transit Programs to ease travel burdens
    • Accommodation Support for families needing a place to stay
    • Telephone Support for ongoing emotional assistance
    • Benevolent Fund for unexpected financial needs
    • Assistance for Bone Marrow Transplant & Prolonged Treatment Protocol Patients
    • Keep Connected Program to maintain connections with family and friends
    • Vale Shine Bright Bursaries for educational support
    • Support Groups to connect families
    • EMLA Patches to manage pain during procedures
    • Gift Cards to help with daily expenses
    • Fertility Preservation options
    • Housekeeping and Therapy Programs for additional care and support
    • These programs aim to reduce the financial and emotional stress for families during a child's cancer treatment.

    Visit NOFCC

  • CaringTogether.life

    A blurry picture of the words caring together life

    CaringTogether.life is a free platform designed to educate, support, and empower parents caring for a seriously ill child and those who are experiencing pregnancy or infant loss.

    Visit CaringTogether.life

  • Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC)

    The yacc logo is for young adult cancer canada.

    YACC is dedicated to supporting young adults, aged late teens to 40, who are living with, through, or beyond cancer. Its mission is to connect peers, reduce isolation, and provide inspiration at every stage of the cancer journey. YACC focuses on six key programs: the online community, Retreat Yourself, Retreat Yourself Adventure, Localife, The Big Cancer Hook-up, and the annual Survivor Conference.

    Visit Young Adult Cancer Canada

  • Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO)

    The logo for the pediatric oncology group of ontario

    POGO works to ensure that everyone affected by childhood cancer has access to the best care and support. It partners with various organizations to create an excellent childhood cancer care system for children, youth, survivors, their families, and healthcare teams, both in Ontario and beyond. POGO champions childhood cancer care and serves as the collective voice for this community, acting as the official advisor to Ontario’s Ministry of Health on children’s cancer control and treatment. As a non-profit organization with charitable status, POGO is dedicated to supporting kids with cancer, both now and for life.

    Visit POGO

More Resources:

Childcare

Currently, we are not aware of any organizations that provide volunteers for childminding specifically related to cancer treatment. However, financial assistance is available through NOFCC and POGO to help cover the cost of childcare during your cancer journey.


If you are aware of any additional resources please contact us.

Books

Books for children dealing with cancer can be incredibly helpful in providing comfort, understanding, and a sense of normalcy. They offer a way for children to process their emotions, ask questions, and make sense of their experiences in a non-threatening way. These books often use simple, relatable language and illustrations to explain what cancer is, what treatments may involve, and how to cope with the changes. By addressing fears and uncertainties, books can empower children to express their feelings and help them feel less alone in their journey.

  • Family member with Cancer


  • Children with Cancer

  • Dealing with Big Emotions:

    • Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
    • Whimsy’s Heavy Things by Julie Kraulis
    • I Can Handle it by Laurie Wright
    • Hey Warrier: A book for kids about anxiety by Karen Young

  • Dealing with Grief:

    • Cry, Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved
    • Lifetimes – The beautiful way to explain death to children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
    • Someone I Love Died by Christine Harder Tangvald (note: Christian Themes)
    • When Dinosaurs Die: A guide to understanding death by Laurie Krasny Brown
    • I Miss You: A first look at death by Pat Thomas
    • The Memory String by Eve Bunting
    • The Next Place by Warren Hanson
    • Gentle Willow: A story for children about dying by Joyce Mills
    • Goodbye; A first conversation about grief by Megan Madison

Prescription Compounding

Compounded medications for kids are custom-made by pharmacists to meet specific needs when commercially available medications aren’t suitable. These can include altering the form of a medication, such as turning tablets into liquids, adjusting dosages for a child's size, or removing certain ingredients if a child has allergies. Common types of compounded medications for children include flavored liquids, capsules, creams, lollipops, gummies, and suppositories. Compounding allows for more personalized treatment, especially for children who may have difficulty swallowing pills or need a medication that isn’t available in the correct dosage.


There are a few pharmacies in North Bay that offer Prescription Compounding:


If your child struggles to swallow pills it can be a daunting task for a child, especially if they are unfamiliar with the sensation or afraid of choking. Many children struggle with the size, texture, or taste of the pill, leading to anxiety or refusal. To make the process easier, parents can start by practicing with small candies or using a cup with a straw to help wash it down smoothly. Placing the pill on the back of the tongue and drinking water quickly can also help. If needed, some medications can be crushed or taken in liquid form—always check with a doctor first. Encouragement, patience, and a calm approach can make a big difference in helping a child succeed.

Online Resources: