The Childhood Cancer Network builds "real-life" solutions based on the needs of families we serve. These carefully thought out offerings begin with input from families who have experienced childhood cancer first hand. Then, medical and service professionals compliment the findings with advice relevant to the area of need.
Up to now, we have coached families in need over the phone or through email. We must expand our method of communication to a comprehensive web presence that will allow us to assist more families without regard to time or staff hours.
Given the average number of people in a family and the number of children diagnosed with cancer each year, our constituency is about 290,000 annually. With close friend and personal networks, the number grows to over 5 million people. We have a lot of families to help - and one of them could be yours.
Not long after losing their son, Ben to brain cancer, Tom and Jennifer Bowen began receiving phone calls from parents across the country looking for help as they navigate the childhood cancer journey. Understanding the great need and desperate to organize resources, they began assembling other parents like them, who have faced childhood cancer firsthand. They became familiar with critical resources, received counsel from medical professionals and coordinated "best practices" from experienced families. They have been actively working with families - providing life and family saving resources to people just like you at no charge.
From helping parents locate life-saving care to "coaching" parents on building memorable moments with their children and delicate end-of-life support, they have been available around the clock, every day since Ben's death.
Word of their unique effort has spread within the childhood cancer community and demand for their service is high. To improve effectiveness and accommodate the volume of effected families across the United States, they must build out their team, launch a comprehensive website and national network of supporters.
We need to grow in three key areas. First, we need to build our team. This means hiring a researcher and resource manager. Second, we must launch a fully functional, comprehensive website. Our target date is March 1, 2009. Finally, in order to provide the best tools and resources to the families we serve, we need to increase our support base - both financially and professionally.
Click the links on your left to learn about what we do and what's next. We value input - give us your feedback.
