How to Support a Friend Whose Child Has Cancer

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, life changes instantly. For parents, days can revolve around medical appointments and treatments, alongside the everyday needs of family life. As friends and loved ones, we naturally want to help but it’s not always easy to know the best way to do so.

At A Week Away, we know the difference compassionate support can make for families facing a life-threatening illness. This blog post will explore meaningful ways you can be there for a friend whose child is battling cancer.

Be a Steady Presence

You don’t need the perfect words to make a difference. A text message, a handwritten card, or a phone call saying, “I’m thinking of you” can mean the world. These small gestures let your friends know they’re not alone. Just as important, be someone who can sit with them in whatever they’re feeling. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is simply listen, whether they want to talk, cry, or share a quiet moment. You don’t need to offer solutions and your presence can be a source of comfort.

Offer Help

When someone is in crisis, they may not have the energy to think of ways you can help. Instead of asking “What can I do?”, we recommend taking initiative by offering tangible support like:

• Running errands or doing grocery shopping
• Walking the dog 
• Helping with lawncare
• Cleaning the house/helping with chores
• Preparing meals or organizing a meal train

Support the Whole Family

Siblings of a child with cancer navigate big emotions and changes, too. Offering them care and attention can help them feel seen and supported in a time when much of the focus is on their sibling’s health. You might:

• Give them a ride to school or extracurricular activities
• Host a sleepover or playdate to provide a fun break from routine
• Spend time with them at home, playing games, reading, or just hanging out
• Step in for childcare during treatments, appointments, or unexpected emergencies

These moments of normalcy can be comforting for siblings, while giving parents peace of mind and the breathing room they need to focus on their child’s care.

Coordinate Additional Support

When a child is in treatment, parents can be overwhelmed by the number of calls, questions, and offers to help. You can volunteer to act as a liaison, coordinating meals, rides, errands, and sharing updates with friends and family. This keeps your friends from having to manage logistics during an already chaotic season. If the family is comfortable, you might also help organize fundraising efforts to cover medical expenses, travel costs, or create special memories together.

Remember, you don’t have to fix everything to make a difference. 

When a friend’s child is facing cancer, your role isn’t to have all the answers, it’s to show up, consistently and with compassion. Whether through a simple message, a warm meal, or a few hours of childcare, your presence reminds them they are not walking this road alone.

At A Week Away, we believe every family deserves the chance to rest, recharge, and make memories together. Your steady, heartfelt support can be part of that gift, helping them find moments of comfort, connection, and even joy, no matter how difficult the season.