CHILDHOOD CANCER SUPPORT for those living in New Zealand
BELLYFUL
Bellyful understand that having a new baby, a seriously ill child or being faced with unforeseen circumstances can be really hard work, and they believe that having a good support network is one of the main ingredients for getting through.
Their volunteers gather to prepare delicious home cooked meals including macaroni cheese, beef bolognese sauce, beef lasagne and tomato, and red lentil soup. which are then frozen and delivered to a local whānau in need, absolutely free of charge.
They have branches on both the North and South Island, and referrals can be made directly or through a support person.
CAMP QUALITY
Camp Quality brings fun, hope and happiness into the lives of children living with cancer – inspiring them to get on with being kids again.
Camps are provided at no cost and are run at various locations across the North and South Island. They are available to children aged 5 to 16 years old, who have been diagnosed with cancer, and are a place where fun and friendship are combined with achievable challenges, to create a sense of normality and independence.
CANTEEN AOTEROA
Around 4,200 rangatahi / young people across Aotearoa are impacted by cancer each year. CanTeen’s mission is to ensure they don’t face cancer alone.
CanTeen supports rangatahi aged 13-24 years who have had their world turned upside down by cancer, whether it’s their own diagnosis, that of a sibling or parent, or the death of a sibling or parent.
Cancer affects everyone differently and CanTeen gets that. Their specially trained team provide a wide range of free support services tailored to the specific needs and cancer experiences of rangatahi.
Services include individual support and therapy, peer support events, therapeutic programmes and camps, online support through canteenconnect.org.nz, and rangatahi development programmes, including financial grants.
CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION
Child Cancer Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every family going through childhood cancer in New Zealand has someone there to support them at a time when they need it most. Each newly diagnosed family is assigned a dedicated Family Support Coordinator who provides them with individualised support across the areas of building resilience, social connections, emotional wellbeing, practical support and moving forward.
They also provide families with access to information, resources, events and additional support through the Family Hub, and administer the Beads of Courage program, which celebrates the child’s bravery throughout their cancer journey.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
The Guardian Angels Trust is dedicated to supporting the needs of terminally ill children and their families.
They understand that financial stress often affects families who have a child in palliative care and aim to minimise these stresses so that families can focus on caring for their child.
The trust provides financial support to families in need through the provision of supermarket vouchers, payment of household bills and other incidental expenses.
Kenzie’s Gift
Kenzie’s Gift is a non-profit organisation committed to improving the emotionl well-being of tamariki (children), mātātahi (young people) and families affected by cancer, serious illness or grief within the family.
They recognise how difficult facing cancer can be, and offer supports such as one on one therapy with registered mental health professionals, grief kits and an array of online resources.
Koru Care (NZ)
Koru Care (NZ) is a charitable trust making dreams come true for sick and disabled children aged between 7-14 years of age.
They provide these children in need with an injection of joy, by taking them on memorable overseas trip, with destinations including California, USA and Gold Coast, Australia. This adventure is available to sick and disabled kids, who meet the criteria and are not currently undergoing active treatment across New Zealand.
They also offer events closer to home, including their annual pantomime and Christmas Harbour Cruise and picnic; and can provide financial grants for the cost of flights for children that require medical treatment overseas that is not available in New Zealand.
LEUKAEMIA AND BLOOD CANCER nz
Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand offer a range of services and programmes to support childhood blood cancer patients, their siblings and the children of blood cancer patients.
They run a variety of clubs tailored to the child’s situation including Kids Club (in person and online) and Super Kids club which is specialised for those aged 5-12 years who are dealing with their own diagnosis. These include workshops facilitated by play therapists and psychologists who will help them talk about their feelings, learn about cancer treatments, and meet other kids going through the same journey.
They also offer other programmes such as Monkey in my Chair which helps them connect with peers during treatment, video game tournaments, children’s books and more!
MAKE-A-WISH
Make-A-Wish New Zealand is dedicated to making the impossible possible, bringing hope, strength and joy to critically ill children aged 3 to 17 years by granting them with a wish.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand gives families facing childhood the ability to stay together, by providing a home away from home while their child undergoes treatment.
There are Ronald McDonald Houses in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, in addition to Family Rooms at National Children’s Hospital, Auckland, Wellington Children’s Hospital and Southland Hospital, Invercargill.
They also offer a family retreat in Rotorua which provides families who have experienced the impact of a critical illness or bereavement with one week of free holiday accommodation.
TimeOut
TimeOut is dedicated to enriching the lives of people diagnosed with a terminal illness and their families, by providing them with moments of relief, shared experiences and the opportunity to take a break from it all, spending time together.
They offer free holiday stays lasting 2 – 6 days in various locations all over New Zealand, which have been generously donated by holiday homeowners around the country.
Families can apply directly to TimeOut, who will work with you to find a suitable arrangement.
TRUE COLOURS
True Colours supports Waikato families impacted by their child’s serious health condition through the provision of a number of support services.
They offer counselling for children/young people, siblings, parents, grandparents and whanau; in addition to:
Specialist clinical and emotional support from the time of diagnosis,
Support at home, in hospital or at True Colours,
Complementary therapies such as play, music and therapy,
Advocacy with agency and healthcare providers on your behalf and,
Bereavement support.
Families who have a child with a critical illness who is aged between 0-18 years old, can be referred to True Colours directly or through their health professional, and is available to those living in the Waikato region or who are admitted to Waikato Hospital.