Helping Local Families
All Child Cancer Fund services and funding supports local families in the Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia area. We understand the importance of supporting our local families and building a community of care through several programs for families enduring childhood cancer. To be eligible for our programs and services, the child must be a patient undergoing cancer treatment at Nemours Children’s Health or Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida and their primary oncology physician must be located at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, Florida.
Eligibility
The only criteria required for eligibility in our programs and services is that the child must be a patient undergoing cancer treatment at Nemours Children’s Health or Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida and their primary oncology physician must be located at Nemours Children’s Health in Jacksonville, Florida. Nemours Children’s Health has social workers in the oncology department that help guide families through the process of applying for our assistance programs.
At Nemours Children’s Health, the Child Life Specialist position is funded by the Child Cancer Fund through The Christy Fund – a restricted fund. In fact, supporting this position is what started Child Cancer Fund 30 years ago. The Child Life Specialist provides play and structured activities for children when they are in the clinic. These activities help reduce anxiety and stress during cancer treatment for children and their families.
Families are eligible for short-term financial assistance that can cover non-medical household bills and provide food and gas cards to ease the financial burdens of families juggling work and life responsibilities, while caring for their sick child.
Requests must be made through the child’s oncology social worker at Nemours Children’s Health.
CCFConnect is for those who understand what it’s like. A social group for parents and guardians of pediatric cancer patients, CCFConnect provides opportunities for families to meet others facing similar circumstances. Monthly activities are scheduled throughout the year for caregivers and families.
Child Cancer Fund is committed to addressing the holistic needs of a child during treatment. This endowment ensures dedicated financial support for pediatric oncology patients participating in the following programs at Nemours Children’s Health Jacksonville.
- Kent Lindsey Music Therapy Program
- Pediatric oncology psychology services
- Assisted Dog and Pony Therapy (ADAPT) Program
- Educational services that help patients maintain academic performance
This annual event at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Florida allows families to escape the rigors of treatment, enjoy life as a family, and meet others facing similar circumstances at a medically safe camp. For a weekend, families can relax, have fun and strengthen their family relationships.
A wealth of print material is given to each family upon their child’s initial cancer diagnosis. This material helps families begin to understand their child’s diagnosis, the treatment process, the language of cancer, treatment protocols, and helps them manage expectations. We also provide funding for tutoring services through the Spiller Educational Support Program.