OUR SERVICES
NC4K offers three pillars of support to childhood cancer families in Ohio:
Click on each category to learn more.
Is your family facing a childhood cancer diagnosis?
Financial support is distributed in response to family requests for payment towards their mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries, and gas. This type of funding means that rather than worrying about keeping the lights on or filling up the gas tank, families can focus their energy on fighting cancer with their child.
Pediatric cancer families’ need for stable housing, food, and transportation is caused by pre-existing poverty status, loss of income, and the increasing cost of living in Ohio.
CAC2 reports that nationally, one in five children who receive a new cancer diagnosis are already living in poverty, and one in four families lose more than 40% of their household income due to work disruptions related to cancer treatment. 80% of NC4K Families report a household income under $60,000.
NC4K Mom Brett says: “[My husband] and I had to make hard decisions [concerning] work and finances. I was still on maternity leave when [my son] Owen was diagnosed but ultimately ended up quitting my job to take care of Owen. This puts a huge financial strain on the family.”
The cost of living in Ohio is also skyrocketing. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency reports that 2024 is the second-highest year on record for median rent in Ohio, and according to the Department of Public Utilities, larger households in Columbus will see the cost of their water utilities increase by $15.91 per quarter in 2024.
Emotional support is given in the form of a family gift, intended to lift their spirits as they navigate the highs and lows of their childhood cancer journey. Unique to the family’s circumstances, these gifts include toys, arts and crafts, and gift cards to order takeout, allowing families to feel a sense of comfort and normalcy during their hospital stay.
A pediatric cancer diagnosis causes worry, fear, and loneliness as families are isolated from loved ones, and sometimes even separated from each other, during their treatment journey.
NC4K Mom Sarah says: “The weight of [Connor’s] situation is constantly with us, and we know that one day, [he] will grasp the magnitude of what he has endured and recognize his incredible strength. This journey has kept us in a perpetual state of fight or flight, and being caregivers in such circumstances undeniably takes a toll on our mental health.”
The NC4K emotional support program is designed to ease the mental burdens carried by our families. Another NC4K Parent says this: “It’s great to have something positive to look forward to. To have a sense of normalcy outside of the medications, sleepless nights, doctors’ rounds, tubes, beeping machines, and all the nonsense that cancer brings into your life. Sometimes a simple bag stuffed with goodies and love brings you a little change to your hospital routine.”
CAC2 reports that psychosocial care has also been shown to “yield better management of common disease-related symptoms and adverse effects of treatment such as pain and fatigue.” This means that not only does emotional support boost the mental health of the family, it also improves the patient child’s response to treatment.
Events for play are opportunities for families to spend the day together and have fun while surrounded by a community of people who understand the challenges they are facing. During these events, families can be completely comfortable knowing that as they share in a light-hearted, joyful experience, their child is just like everyone else in the room.
In 2024, NC4K hosted 12 events for play.
Here’s what our families had to say:
“I loved everything about the Back-to-School Bash. It was very nice to see everyone and the smile on my kids when they received all their things. Thank you NC4K.”
“We love the opportunity to see Santa, the superheroes, and get professional pictures. These are all things we haven't been able to do since diagnosis nearly two years ago and this was a safe place to do those things.”
“We value the connections we have made with other families and these events are the only way we keep in contact with families like ours. It also really helps my son to feel a sense of belonging somewhere where people understand.”
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