Helping Your Child Through Cancer with Love and Strength
A childhood cancer diagnosis changes everything in an instant. For parents, the instinct to protect, help, and comfort their child becomes even stronger, yet the journey ahead can feel overwhelming and uncertain. While medical teams focus on treatment, parents play a critical role in providing emotional support, reassurance, and a sense of normalcy for their child.
Hope Abounds has had the privilege of working with many children battling cancer, including Maggie Bushway, a brain cancer survivor who was diagnosed at just seven years old. Her story is a powerful testament to the impact of family involvement, showing how parents can play an active role in their child's journey, offering both comfort and hope.
How Parental Involvement Makes a Difference
While every family's experience is different, studies and personal stories alike highlight the many ways parents can support their child through cancer treatment. A few key ways parents can make a meaningful impact include:
1. Being Present and Engaged
One of the most important things a parent can do is simply be there. Attending medical appointments, sitting beside them during treatments, and offering encouragement lets children know they are not alone. Being an active participant in their journey helps them feel supported and safe, even in difficult moments.
2. Providing Emotional Support
Cancer can be frightening for a child, and they may struggle to express their fears or emotions. Parents can help by creating a space where their child feels safe to talk, ask questions, or simply be themselves. Sometimes, it’s not about having all the answers, it’s about offering reassurance, holding their hand, and letting them know they are loved.
3. Creating Moments of Normalcy
Maintaining familiar routines or small joys, like watching a favorite movie, reading bedtime stories, or celebrating milestones, can make a world of difference. These moments provide comfort and remind children that life is still filled with love, laughter, and hope.
4. Documenting the Journey
Maggie’s father, Rob, chose to document their family's experience through a blog, which later became part of her memoir, Pearls: A Memoir on Childhood Brain Cancer and Hope. Looking back on these memories helped Maggie find healing and reflect on how far she had come. Whether through journaling, photos, or videos, recording the journey can serve as a way for families to process their experiences together.
5. Finding Strength Through Community
No one should have to go through childhood cancer alone. Seeking support from organizations like Hope Abounds, connecting with other families, and leaning on trusted friends and relatives can provide encouragement for both children and parents alike.
Maggie’s Story and Hope Abounds
Hope Abounds is honored to be connected with Maggie Bushway, whose journey serves as an inspiration to families facing similar challenges. Through her experience, she has shared the power of resilience, love, and parental involvement in the healing process.
To hear Maggie’s story and learn more about her journey, watch her video interview here.
If you or someone you love is navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis, know that Hope Abounds is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement every step of the way.