COVID-19 Grants: Childcan

COVID-19 Grants: Childcan

Childcan is a registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and funds to provide personalized, responsive and compassionate programs and services to families facing the childhood cancer journey, from diagnosis, through treatment, to recovery or bereavement.

With a significant portion of Childcan’s services delivered in person, COVID-19 impacted operations greatly. Public health guidelines restricted the organization from meeting families and providing meal vouchers, emotional support and volunteer tutoring services. With the local Ronald McDonald House forced to close to new families, accommodations were also in short supply.

“Some of the most immediate impacts included the lack of availability of accommodations – many of our families travel significant distances to get their children to London and the childhood cancer treatment they need,” says Kathleen Barnard, Executive Director of Childcan. “Food was also an issue. With all but one hospital cafeteria closed and food from outside the hospital not initially allowed, there were limited nutritional options available.”

Thanks to a grant from the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund, Childcan was able to provide inpatient families with a second meal each day, gift cards for food to out-of-area families staying in hotels, and a pantry of single-serve meals and snacks on the inpatient floor.

“On top of missing work and covering travel costs, it would have been all but impossible for some of our families to manage the additional food expenses,” says Kathleen. “Support from the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund alleviated so much worry and stress from these families.”

The community’s response to the pandemic, and the needs and issues it’s amplified, has been a source of positivity and hope for Childcan.

“The pandemic has shone more of a light on the needs in our region and we’ve really seen the community come together, striving to meet them,” says Kathleen. “So many charities and non-profit organizations have stepped up to meet the huge gaps and increased need caused by COVID-19 – we’ve been inspired and touched by the amount of support that has come from our community.”

The pandemic hasn’t stopped childhood cancer and Childcan is continuing to see new diagnoses and relapses. If you’d like to support Childcan, donations can be made online at www.childcan.com. Information on programs, services and what Childcan is doing to adjust and adapt is also available on their website or by sending an email to info@childcan.com.