When a child is facing a serious illness, it's normal for parents to feel overwhelmed. We've gathered helpful resources and links to assist Parents and Families who have a child battling a life threatening illness. The more you learn about how illness affects children, the more you will understand the reasons for your kids' behaviors and emotions, and the better prepared you will be to help them cope. Please contact us if you have recommended information to add to these resources so we can share with other families who might be facing the same challenges.
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Sesame Street Tool Kits

Helping families cope with serious illness. When a child is facing a serious illness, it's normal for both parents and children to feel afraid. Talking is an important way to help everyone in the family understand and cope with a difficult situation. See these helpful tips in Sesame Street's Tool Kits.
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Tips for Friends and Family to Help Parents

By Erin Y. Halper, Mom to Louis, a 15-month-old who has undergone two open heart surgeries, Erin knows first-hand what it’s like to have a child in the hospital. If you have a close friend or family member with a child in the hospital, consider these tips on how to really help them out and make a positive impact on their experience. See the top 10 ways to help parents whose child is in the hospital, click here.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Resources for Parents and Caregivers... You can play an important role in helping your children recover from traumatic events. Information for Caregivers including; birth parents, adoptive parents, resource/foster parents, grandparents, caregivers, and all others who care for children and teens. To learn more and access resources on families and trauma, click here.

Tips for Parents with a Child in the Hospital

Help for parents to better know what to expect and how to cope, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian created the Family Advisory Council, comprised of family members of current and former patients and staff at the Hospital who work together to help families get all the information they need so they can care for their children with confidence. In this spirit, the Family Advisory Council offers 10 useful tips.

Learn About Cord Blood Banking

Our friends at Cord Blood Banking's mission is to provide information for expectant mothers and families considering cord blood banking. Expecting parents can save stem cells from their child’s umbilical cord blood for use in medical transplants. The FDA has approved “cord blood” cell treatment in over 80 diseases, including blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. Parents can choose to store or donate these stem cells to a patient that needs them, which is called cord blood banking.

Learn more by downloading Cord Blood Banking's free guide.