CANSA TLC Supports Families Affected by Cancer

#InternationalChildhoodCancerDay
#CANSATLC  #CANSAcares

CANSA recognises that families affected by childhood cancer need support all year round, and has continued to provide this through its CANSA TLC programme amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These are uncertain times, and parents in general feel anxious with regards to their children and teens due to the pandemic. So much more so the parents of a child or teen with a cancer diagnosis, with suppressed immunity.

It’s important that parents / guardians know where to find support and a helping hand and that they know they are not facing childhood cancer alone.

Photo taken prior to COVID-19 pandemic

Did You Know?

A cancer diagnosis can impact the entire family. Our CANSA TLC programme also supports the child or teen who has a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with cancer, as we recognise that they also take strain due to the demands placed on them by cancer. These children and teens are sometimes even thrust into the role of a caregiver and need guidance and support.

TLC Support

The CANSA Tele Counselling service, which is free of charge and available in seven languages, is provided to parents / guardians, children and teens with cancer or children / teens whose loved ones have cancer.

Parents / guardians may also join the CANSA TLC Childhood Cancer Support Group on Facebook, where they can connect with others in a similar position.

CANSA TLC also runs support groups and programmes in hospital wards and parents / guardians are encouraged to contact their CANSA Care Centre to find local support.

Besides emotional and psychological support, parents / guardians and younger ones need practical assistance which CANSA TLC provides through sharing cancer related information; assistance with prostheses, ports, broviacs, medical equipment, food and basic essential parcels to families in need.

Furthermore accommodation for parents / guardians is provided near treatment centres at CANSA TLC Lodges (Polokwane, Pretoria and Durban).

The CANSA At Home Pain Guides isare available on our website to download. The booklet covers pain management for children in a user-friendly manner that helps simplify a normally complicated process. It presents a mixture of diagrams, pain identification charts and simple text and images to guide patients through the understanding and management of pain.

How You Can Help

We appeal to the public to help us continue to support families affected by childhood cancer by making a donation or contributing donations towards CANSA Food Packs, as many families, especially those affected financially by COVID-19, are in need of basic food essentials at this time.