Resource Round Up

When a Child Has Cancer, Financial & Family Support Matters

When a child is diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, the impact ripples far beyond medical treatment. The reality of hospital stays, ongoing care, travel, and disruption to daily life can stretch a family’s finances and emotional reserves to the limit. Especially during the holiday season- this time of year can be exceedingly difficult for a family dealing with a cancer diagnosis, for a variety of reasons. That’s why it’s vital to know: you don’t have to walk this path alone.

Support is available. From national foundations, local resources, and community tools, organizations stand at the ready to help ease the burden. The team at HRN has personal experience working with a number of organizations and resources designed to help families navigate these challenges. Go to the 'Support' tab on our website hepatoblastoma.org (or click here) to see different categories of support that are out there. You can also read on below for organization summaries and links.

Trusted Organizations Offering Help

Here are several organizations and resources that families dealing with pediatric cancer can turn to for financial or practical support.

Organization / Resource	What They Offer / Area of Focus
B+ Foundation	One of the largest non-profits in the U.S. providing financial aid to families facing childhood cancer.
FamilyReach	Provides immediate financial assistance through partnerships with 300+ hospitals to help with non-medical expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, etc.
PinkySwear Foundation	Helps ease the financial impact of cancer on families by assisting with basic needs, reducing stress during treatment.
CFAC (Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition)	A collective group of national organizations that provide financial support to families.
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)	Offers free or reduced-cost housing for families displaced from home due to a child’s medical treatment, which is a big help when care requires travel or long hospital stays.
CaringBridge	A free online platform where families can share updates through journaling and communicating with friends & family, helping reduce emotional isolation and coordinate support.
Hope Portal	A searchable directory to find national and local resources in your community; useful to uncover support tailored to your area.
Cancer.net	Offers a broad list of different types of assistance available to families affected by cancer. This is a good starting point to explore all possible support avenues.

Your Hospital Social Worker: The First Contact

If your child is in treatment, one of the most powerful and often-overlooked resources is your hospital social worker. HRN emphasizes that social workers are often the first, and best, resource to help identify local support organizations or programs tailored to your needs. Often, pediatric medical facilities have both in-patient and outpatient social workers, and sometimes they assist with differing levels of need.

Social workers, especially those trained in pediatric oncology, can assist with a wide range of needs:

• Navigating finances, insurance, bills, and unmet needs.

• Connecting families to local housing, transport, or lodging support when traveling for treatment.

• Providing emotional and practical support through child life specialists, grief counselors, and community resources.

  
  

What You Can Do- A Guide to Getting Support

1. Talk to your hospital social worker immediately. Let them know you’re interested in financial or family support. They likely already know about local and national resources that match your situation.

2. Explore national non-profits listed above. Visit their websites, gather necessary documentation (household bills, income info, proof of treatment), and apply for assistance. Many hospitals also have direct financial assistance programs for patients, so ask your social worker to connect you with the hospital's financial assistance office.

3. Use directories and search tools. Tools like Hope Portal or community resource directories can help you find local housing, transportation, meal assistance, or other aid.

4. Reach out for emotional and community support. Use platforms like CaringBridge, or find local or online support groups for families going through pediatric cancer. HRN also proudly hosts the Hepatoblastoma Parent Connection, pairing newly diagnosed families with trained, experienced Hepatoblastoma parents. If you are interested in being connected with one of our trained parent partners, simply send us a message via e-mail: connect@hepatoblastoma.org.

5. Keep records — bills, treatment schedules, income loss, expenses, receipts. This will help when applying for financial aid or grants.

You Are Not Alone

No family should have to navigate pediatric cancer alone, especially not the financial and logistical weight that comes with it. The organizations and resources compiled above exist precisely because families need help beyond medicine. If you’re reading this because your family is facing a diagnosis, please know: there are people and organizations ready to help. Reach out to HRN directly, ask for support, and don’t be afraid to lean on community- for finances, emotional strength, connection, or whatever else you may need.

Written by Sarah Lansing