Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer

Needs

Mama Bears provides two essential resources to pediatric cancer families.

1. Hospital Survival Wagon or Clinic Cart

2. Community Support

Hospital Survival Wagon or Clinic Cart: A family whose child has an active cancer diagnosis receives a wagon or clinic cart based on their needs and treatment. The wagon or cart is filled with essential items identified through personal experience as necessary for living more comfortably in the hospital or during long outpatient clinic visits, as well as caring for their child at home.

The diagnosis and the beginning of their child’s journey is scary and overwhelming. Our goal is to alleviate the added stress of asking:

• What do I need?

• How do I get it?

• Am I able to afford it?

Descriptions of a few of the items that may be provided. The content in the wagon and cart may vary depending on the caregiver's needs and the child's stage in their treatment journey. The Hospital Survival Wagon costs $500 and a Clinic Cart costs $250.

• Mattress Topper: Sleeping arrangements in the hospital are not ideal for the parent/caregiver. Generally, the caregiver is provided with a reclining chair. The mattress topper easily lays on the surface of the chair and provides comfort in addition to saving the parent's back and hips.

• Mini Fridge for storing snacks and drinks.

• Roku and Soundbar for streaming favorite shows and movies.

• Silk Pillowcase for tender heads experiencing hair loss.

• Bathroom Kit for mom or dad to take care of themselves.

• Thermometer for when the child is neutropenic. Fever in this population is considered to be anything above 100.4. Parents must have a reliable thermometer on hand to routinely check their child's temperature.

• Weekly Pill Dispenser for the child’s medication. Unfortunately, most pediatric patients need to take medication during treatment. This pill dispenser helps organize medication.

• Bed Caddy to stay organized. An organization tool that attaches to the hospital bed for easy access to the TV remote, cell phone, and any other item that your child needs to be able to access while in bed.

• Collapsible Cooler Bag to pack food. Clinic treatments can be anywhere from 1-8 hours long. This cooler bag allows easy transport of your favorite perishable snacks and meals because fueling your body is essential to providing care.

• Book Light allows the parent to be able to read or sit up with their child without turning on the lights during those long, anxious nights when a parent is unable to sleep.

Community Support Group: Through a private chat App GroupMe, we offer a uniquely supportive community for parents and caregivers with a child diagnosed with cancer. We connect you with families who are currently walking through the same journey. We are committed to mutually supporting and encouraging each other 24 hours a day. Cancer does not follow a 9-5 schedule. At Mama Bears, there is always someone available. We never want you to feel alone. We have an “Angel” support group for parents in our community whose child becomes an angel too soon.

• Community Support Groups through the GroupMe App, English and Spanish

• Receive encouragement from someone who personally understands because they are or have experienced the cancer journey with their own child.

• GroupMe is a safe, private, confidential talk space for parents to share in a judgement- free environment.

• Provide support for each other day and night seven days a week.

• Share tips and tricks on how to navigate through the unexpected cancer journey.

• Network with families to plan meet-ups during clinic and hospital stays.

• Comfort each other on the days that are hard.

• Celebrate the successful milestones and hold each other during the losses.

• Most of all, establish new friendships and share an unbreakable bond.

Families and children experiencing a childhood cancer diagnosis face several challenges that are not comprehensively addressed through insurance, hospital care, or other community-based organizations. Mama Bears aims to meet parents and children during these darkest moments, to offer emotional support, tangible items to aid in comforting them and their child during a hospital stay, and ongoing navigation and educational services provided by volunteers who have experienced a childhood cancer diagnosis. Some of the greatest practical needs can include a good night’s sleep, access to books, videos, streaming services, comfortable sleeping arrangements, storage for snacks and refreshments, etc.

By donating to Mama Bears, you can come alongside parents and caregivers to provide these vital items to help them successfully care for their child. This support alleviates an immediate financial and practical burden at a time when they should solely be focusing on caring for their child. It allows parents to have many critical tools they need to navigate their child’s lengthy treatments.