Your child's pediatric oncology team and registered dietitian are your best partners when questions about nutrition arise during treatment. Every child's needs are unique, but understanding some of the common challenges families face can help you feel more prepared. We hope the ideas and resources in this article provide practical support and helpful conversation starters as you work with your child's medical team to find the best approach for your family.

A childhood cancer diagnosis can shake every part of a family's world. Along with the physical and emotional challenges of treatment, many families find themselves asking difficult questions, searching for meaning, or looking for sources of comfort and hope. Some families may feel closer to their faith during this time, while others may experience feelings of anger, uncertainty, or distance from their spiritual beliefs.

Through the Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program, the NCCS celebrates survivors by helping them pursue their educational goals while encouraging them to support other children and families affected by cancer. As part of the scholarship program, recipients complete volunteer service hours that give back to the childhood cancer community. One of these opportunities is Cards 4 Kids, a heartfelt initiative that spreads encouragement, hope, and kindness when it's needed most.

At The National Children's Cancer Society (NCCS), we are committed to helping survivors navigate life beyond treatment with confidence. Our publication, The View From Up Here: Your Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer, was created specifically for teens and young adults and offers practical information to help survivors understand, prepare for, and embrace the next stage of their journey.

Ringing the bell to mark the end of childhood cancer treatment is a powerful and often bittersweet moment. While it represents the completion of treatment, it does not mean the journey is over. Survivors and their families often continue to navigate life after cancer, adjusting to a new normal while also facing the challenges that can come with survivorship.

As research continues to advance, so does our understanding of childhood cancer survivorship and the long-term effects of treatment. Staying informed about potential late effects, accessing the most up-to-date information, and receiving appropriate follow-up care as early as possible are all important steps in supporting long-term health and well-being.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everything shifts in an instant. Families are suddenly navigating a world of treatment plans, side effects, and urgent decisions, all focused on doing everything possible to help their child heal. In the midst of this whirlwind, one deeply personal topic is often introduced: future fertility. While it can feel overwhelming, these conversations are an important part of caring for your child, both now and in the years to come.

Transitioning into survivorship is a meaningful milestone for children facing cancer and their families. While it often brings a sense of relief and hope, it can also come with new questions and uncertainties. Survivorship is a lifelong journey, and it’s natural to need guidance along the way. It’s important for parents and caregivers to be informed of the details of their child’s survivorship care plan. If there are grey areas, the best thing a family can do is ask questions.

The Beyond the Cure Survivorship Program empowers childhood cancer survivors to pursue higher education and life beyond cancer. Since 2008, this program has awarded more than $2.7 million to 257 survivors. For the 2026-2027 academic year, 50 scholarships will be awarded to survivors who demonstrate resilience, determination, and hope for the future.

Many childhood cancer survivors experience long-term physical or cognitive late effects that could lead to challenges in the workplace. These challenges often require accommodations and resources to help survivors navigate professional boundaries and avoid discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects qualified individuals with disabilities, including cancer survivors, from discrimination. This law prohibits employers from using unfair hiring or firing practices and requires them to provide reasonable accommodations when needed.

Each year, approximately 15,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer, yet childhood cancer research receives less than 4% of national cancer research funding. The fight for new and improved legislative efforts focused on childhood cancer has been a long and uphill battle for many years. While the journey has been challenging, the dedication of families, survivors, and supporters continues to make an impact. In 2025, those efforts led to meaningful progress.

Our Beyond the Cure Survivorship Program is proud to provide support to hospitals across the country that host survivorship conferences. For 20 years, these conferences have educated childhood cancer survivors, caregivers, and their families on the many issues regarding survivorship and how to navigate life post-cancer treatment.