Family Resources

As part of our work to transform the cancer experience for families with free specialized childcare, meals and support we have created 3 resources to help families understand the free support programs we offer and guide them on how to discuss cancer and answer questions from kids about their parent’s cancer diagnosis.

Family Manual – This booklet gives you a detailed breakdown on how we match families with our specially trained Volunteer Angels, the free support programs we provide and how to apply for our programs.

Family Brochure – This brochure gives you a summarised view of the programs we offer, the screening we carry out for our Volunteer Angels and how to contact us.

Cancer Conversations – Nankind developed Cancer Conversations with your Kids so parents with cancer can speak with their children about their diagnosis in language children can understand. It is designed as
a guide to help you have this delicate conversation with the goal of reducing your child’s fear and anxieties.

Download the Family Package

Additional Resources

Cancer Support Programs in Ontario

Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN): Provides individuals with cancer, cancer survivors, and their caregivers, with access to related counselling, information, or support group programs.
Wellspring: Network of community-based charities offering free, referral-free programs and services to anyone with any cancer at any stage.
Hearth Place: Provides individual counselling, emotional support groups, and grief support for children and adults experiencing cancer in Durham and their caregivers.
Look Good Feel Better: Classes to improve the appearance, confidence, and self-esteem of people undergoing cancer treatment.
Cancer Care Ontario: Coordinates and makes province-wide cancer services accessible to all Ontarians.
Camp Otter: A camp that supports children on their parent’s cancer journey.
Cancer Care: Free counselling, support groups, and assistance for parents, children, and adolescents affected by cancer.
Rethink Breast Cancer: Provides social support and advocates for people affected by breast cancer.
Young Adult Cancer Canada: Peer support for people with cancer at every stage.
Pink Pearl Canada: Cancer support programs, including counselling and peer support for self-identifying young women.
PYNK- Sunnybrook: For women aged 40 and younger newly diagnosed with breast cancer receiving care at Sunnybrook.
PYNK – Juravinski
PYNK – Mount Sinai Hospital
African Cancer Support Group: Provides emotional support groups and information to anyone within the Black Community in Canada, with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Queering Cancer: Conducts research and provides resources and support for patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
Ovarian Cancer Canada: Offers one-on-one support and advice to ovarian cancer patients, peer support groups, and educational resources.
Bladder Cancer Canada: Provides support groups and resources to bladder cancer patients and their caregivers.

Financial Concerns

Money Matters – Wellspring: This free program assists those with cancer-related financial worries by addressing questions about the financial support available by the government and assistance for managing out-of-pocket expenses.
Drug Coverage Programs: Learn more about the Ontario Drug Benefit program and your eligibility.
Trillium Program and high-cost drugs: Coverage for Ontarians who have high prescription drug costs compared to their household income.
Hope Air: Provides free flights and accommodations for Canadians with serious health challenges.
Shine through Rain: Financially supports families through life-threatening illnesses.
Breast Cancer Support Fund: Provides free meals to low-income breast cancer patients.
Pink Fund: Financial support for those affected by breast cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society Transportation: For free transportation to and from treatment.

Cancer Support Resources

Canadian Cancer Society- Finding Supports: Community and resources to find support that best suits you and your family.
Cancer.Net: Comprehensive information for people affected by cancer, their families and caregivers.
Supporting a Spouse with Cancer: Information and resources to support spouses whose partner has cancer.
Caring for a Parent with Cancer: Information for older children on caring for a parent with cancer.
Maggies- Talking to Children: Ways to tell your child(ren) about cancer and tips on how to talk to your child(ren) about cancer.
Wonderwise: A group of Mental Health Clinicians and resources to help children build their mental health and healthy relationships.
The Dot Method: An interactive workbook that teaches kids about cancer.
Asbestos.com: Shares information about Pleural Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer and treatment resources.
Mesothelioma Ho pe: Provides free mesothelioma resources about treatments, specialists, financial assistance and more.
Greta’s Flair Lingerie: Store in Hamilton that offers post-mastectomy undergarments.

Grief and Bereavement Support Programs in Ontario

Nankind: Provides one year of free grief and bereavement support with a Child Life Specialist after the death of a parent from cancer.
Bereaved Families of Ontario: Provides province-wide bereavement support through peer support and mutual aid.
Centre for Grief & Healing: Empowers grieving individuals and families by providing inclusive mutual support programs.
Hospice Toronto: Offers bereavement support in individual sessions and peer-based groups.
Circle of Care: Offers individual and group counselling sessions to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one within the first year of their loss.
BFO-Toronto: Individual and group support for people who have lost a loved one.
Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto: Offers support groups for adults and children who have had a person in their life die from cancer.
Hummingbird Centre for Hope: Provides young widowed parents with continuing support in all areas of their grief.
The Coping Centre: Offers grief and bereavement group support programs to children, teens, young adults, and Adults.
Bethell Hospice: Provides group and individual grief and bereavement support to children and adults.
Nightingale Centre: Grief and bereavement support for children and families experiencing or anticipating the death of a significant person in their life.
Camp Skein: A camp which offers grief-centred activities for children and teens grieving the death of a special person.
Camp Keaton: Empowers and supports grieving children and teenagers through outdoor play and activities.
Camp Erin: A free camp for youth ages 6-17 who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre: Offers in-home care to individuals who are terminally ill and grief support groups to adults who have a loved one who has died.

Grief and Bereavement Resources

CAMH: Provides resources on mental health, including dealing with grief.
CMHA: Provides resources on coping with grief and other mental health-related topics.
Children and Youth Grief Network: Resources for people supporting children grieving the death of a loved one.
My Grief: A confidential and free resource that helps people understand and move through grief.