Talking to Your Grandkids About Cancer & Supporting Those in Need

Disclaimer: I have been compensated to share this post but all words and thoughts expressed here belong to me.

Aging is inevitable, but with it comes grandchildren, memories, longevity, and sometimes—sickness. 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and with 15,270 children diagnosed with cancer each year, it’s time we speak to our grandchildren about cancer and how they can support those battling it.  

That’s why this month, I’m thrilled to be partnering with The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) to share advice for talking with your grandkids about cancer and caring for others. The NCCS is an organization that helps kids battling childhood cancer survive by ensuring they get to the best treatment possible – whether that’s across town or across the country. Through its Transportation Assistance Fund and its Road Warrior monthly donors, the NCCS provides funds to help alleviate the financial burden of travel and lodging for families battling childhood cancer.

Families who have a child with cancer have so many challenges. Hospital stays cost over $10,000, adding up to more than $380 billion a year in the U.S. alone. On top of those costs, plane tickets, gas prices, or a place to stay when treatment is far from home—costs not covered by insurance—add up and put an additional burden on families. But there are ways we can help support these families. 

As a grandmother, I want to talk to my grandchildren about tough subjects that are real and meaningful. If you feel the same, here are three ways we can talk to our grandchildren about cancer:

1. Tell them it’s OK to ask questions. Tough conversations can be scary for a child, but often they have genuine interest to learn and feel more scared when they are left in the dark. Tell your grandchild that it’s OK for them to ask questions about a hardship or scary unknown. 

If their friend is battling cancer, encourage them to ask simple questions about cancer, rather than ignore it. Suggest that your grandchild asks a sick friend, “How are you feeling?” and let them answer as honestly or as detailed as the friend is comfortable with. At home, encourage your grandchild to ask you questions about cancer so they can stay involved in their friend’s life and show support throughout treatment. 

1. Keep a positive outlook when things get tough. As your grandchild grows up, they’ll start to learn that difficult situations come up. Discuss how even during tough times, it’s important to look for the positive things in life and to take each day one at a time.   

If your grandchild has a friend who is sick or battling childhood cancer, encourage them to visit their friend and stay positive, even though it could be difficult. Bring a handwritten card or a small gift that will put a smile on their friend’s face. Optimism and normalcy—such as regular “hang outs” or text messages—can help a sick child and their family remain positive. In fact, more than 66% of teens who have battled childhood cancer said the most important thing their friends did was visit them and “just hang out.”

1. Show them the importance of giving back. Let your grandchildren know how far giving back to others in need can go—even if they can only give a little bit. Whether it’s your grandchild’s birthday or the holiday giving season, a great way to do this is by gifting them the choice of selecting an organization to donate to or make a donation on behalf of your grandchild. Discuss how their decision and donation can make an impact and help instill the importance of giving back as they grow up.

If childhood cancer is on your heart like it’s on mine, I encourage you to consider making this donation to the NCCS and signing up to become an NCCS Road Warrior. It sounds like someone ready to go to battle, doesn’t it? Actually, NCCS Road Warriors are monthly donors who help get more children with cancer on the road to lifesaving treatment. If you’re not ready to commit to monthly donations, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to make a one-time gift to the NCCS.I

Please consider joining this important group at www.thenccs.org/warrior.
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About The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS)

The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a not-for-profit organization providing support to families making their way through the daunting world of childhood cancer and survivorship. With over 30 years of experience serving more than 43,000 children, the NCCS is able to take a “no matter what” approach to help families stay strong, stay positive and stay together. The NCCS has been recognized as a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity and earned a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information call 314-241-1600, visit theNCCS.org, or on Facebook and Twitter.