CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION

The Child Cancer Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation with four divisions and 22 branches throughout New Zealand who provide support for children and young people with cancer, and the health professionals involved in their care. The Foundation receives no government funding or funding from other cancer support agencies. Every year they work to ensure that children with cancer and their families have access to the highest standard of treatment regardless of their means or place of residence. This year the Child Cancer Foundation needs six million dollars to continue funding essential support services throughout the country and research programmes related to cancer treatment and late effects, or after effects of treatment.

The Child Cancer Foundation operates on the principle that no child suffering from cancer, or their family should ever feel alone. Each year approximately 150 young New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer and The Foundation’s primary focus is to provide these children and families with quality, practical support and information upon diagnosis and throughout their journey with cancer.

While a child is undergoing treatment the Foundation’s Family Support Coordinators based in each division directly support the child or young person and their family. Upon returning home, Family Support Workers in local branches assist the family with the additional set of challenges that accompany treatment recovery at home and the integration back into normal routine and the local community.

The Child Cancer Foundation provides ongoing, practical, emotional and financial assistance to children and families whose lives have been changed forever by this life threatening disease. Support from the Foundation comes in many forms from meals, transportation and accommodation to support groups, education scholarships or access to holiday homes.

The Child Cancer Foundation is instrumental in providing support for health professionals and contributing financially to research initiatives. A major focus in research over the next three years is late effects and funds raised by the Foundation also go to promoting, encouraging and arranging research into the cause, treatment and late effects of childhood cancers. With an 80% survival rate of children diagnosed with cancer in New Zealand, the after effects of treatment is an area that is becoming increasingly important. The Child Cancer Foundation has committed $800,000 to this research in a venture with the Ministry of Health.