LESSENING THE IMPACT OF CANCER ON FAMILIES

Specialized support for children affected by a parent's cancer or death

Nankind (a.k.a. Nanny Angel Network or NAN) was founded in 2009 by Audrey Guth, a two-time cancer survivor, businesswoman, and mother of four. Audrey saw first-hand that many parents undergoing cancer treatment were in desperate need of childcare so that they could go to medical appointments or get much-needed rest. She launched NAN in the Greater Toronto Area to fill this gap in cancer care. As the organization grew to serve more families affected by cancer, we learned there was a huge opportunity to change outcomes for children undergoing the trauma of a parent's cancer or death. Nankind has evolved to fill this need. The organization has grown beyond the Greater Toronto Area to include families in the Kingston and Hamilton areas. We support families at any stage of their cancer journey including diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and bereavement.

Background

Increasing numbers of parents with young children are facing a diagnosis of cancer, due in part to the increasing rates of cancers such as colorectal and breast cancers in adults under 50 years of age. Parents are also having children later in life when the risk of cancer is higher. When a parent with young children is on their cancer journey, the whole family needs support. Many studies have shown that children experiencing the trauma of a parent with cancer or the death of a parent from cancer are at increased risk of developing emotional and behavioural problems such as anxiety, depression, addictions, criminal behaviour, and suicidal thoughts. If left untreated, these problems can continue into adulthood. At Nankind, we work to lessen the social and emotional impact of cancer on families. Our programs and services are developed and overseen by Child Life Specialists, healthcare professionals trained to help children navigate difficult life experiences. Families with young children are often referred to our programs through social workers, cancer nurse navigators, or Child Life Specialists who work with cancer patients in the hospital setting. Over the past year, we have noticed an increase in parents referred to our programs with advanced cancer, thus requiring more intensive support. This could be a result of delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The good deed

Our highly trained volunteer 'angels' deliver up to 4 hours per week of in-home and virtual, specialized childcare support for children aged 16 years and under. Volunteers engage children in fun, age-appropriate activities, helping them cope with their parent's cancer or death, express their emotions in a healthy way, and build emotional resilience while providing parents with time to rest and recover. Nankind recruits volunteers through places of worship, retired teacher or nursing associations, rotary clubs, new immigrant centres, and high schools. We also recruit students from local universities and colleges for volunteer internships, practicums, and placements. Students in medicine, nursing, social work, Child Life, and education have served as Nankind volunteers. Trained volunteers also provide virtual homework support through our Homework Club and engage children in fun, virtual activities through our Fun-in-a-Box program.