What We Do
Monthly Community Nights
The third Sunday of every month is home to an evening of connection for families affected by childhood cancer. Dinner is catered by a group in the community, the room is beautifully appointed, and filled with families who understand the childhood cancer journey.
Following dinner there will either be formal entertainment, or the parents will be provided some adult-only conversation time. At the same time, children and teens spend their time with vetted volunteers who provide them a wide array of age appropriate activities and entertainment.
Please note that the location of these events may vary, so please ensure that you’ve spoken with us ahead of your attendance so that we can share full information with you! Click the button to RSVP for our next Community Night!
When
Third Sunday of the month
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
2830 18th Ave NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Online Community
Don’t live close enough to attend events regularly? Or, want to maintain connection between events? We have a solution! We maintain a private, active, and encouraging Facebook community which welcomes families in most stages of their journeys with childhood cancer. We regularly share stories, updates, and advice. We would love to have you!
If you live in, or are are being treated at a medical institution in the Upper Midwest United States, please click the button to request admission to the group. Please note that all families are vetted, and therefore you can expect us to connect with you to learn a bit more about you before we approve your request.
When
Anytime, and every time
Location
Anywhere in the Midwest United States
Special Events
At various times throughout the year, Childhood Cancer Community will host special events outside of the normal monthly Community Night venue. These are great opportunities to connect in a fun environment, for your children and teens to connect with others who understand them in a casual way, and parents to be confident in the safety of the environment.
Photos from past events can be seen on the Events page of this website and on our Facebook page. If you have not yet connected with us to be added to the mailing list and are a family who has been affected by childhood cancer, please click the button to sign up.
When
Varies
Location
Various locations; often Rochester, MN
JOURNEY PACKS
Developed to meet the specific needs of families who are facing a new childhood cancer diagnosis, a Journey Pack starts with a CCC branded backpack that can be used for hospital and clinic visits. The logo’s prominent position makes it simple for families to identify each other while at their medical institution.
Packs are then filled with items that provide important stress relief, assist with hospital stays, provide financial relief, and support ease of organization for new challenges in the childhood cancer journey. The items are selected with the whole family in mind, and change based on current needs of families.
If your family would like to learn more about how to attain a Journey Pack, please reach out to us using the button below the photo.
If you are a donor seeking to sponsor our Journey Pack program, please visit the Journey Pack donation link.
Mentorship Opportunities
Finished with your treatment and wanting to give back, or be involved in a way that gives your journey purpose? We have a role for you!
Survivors, siblings, and parents are welcome to connect with us to discuss open mentorship roles within the community. We believe that contributing to one another is one of the greatest ways to heal and usually have roles on our teams open and available for any level of commitment.
When
As you are available
Location
Your community, via phone, or online
Hospital Visits
If you or your family members are inpatient, new to the childhood cancer world, or are desiring a visitor, we would love to send a community member to visit you to help pass the time and provide some friendship. We often work to pair hospital visitors and inpatient families by similar cancer diagnosis.
It is our wish that all families could attend our events out of the hospital, but we know that is not a reality for many families and we want you to know that you are still very much a part of our community even if unable to be outside of the hospital setting.
When
When you desire
Location
Your treatment center
Resources for Families
If you’re like us, you were wholly overwhelmed by the resources provided to you by your medical center. Or, maybe you aren’t like us, and haven’t been provided any resources. Regardless, we have many years of experience knowing what is important to pursue at what times, and would love to provide you with an insider’s guide to the childhood cancer world and the resources that exist for your use. Please contact us to discuss our available materials.
Awareness and Research Funding
As Childhood Cancer Community continues to grow, we will continue to take part in, and lead awareness efforts in the greater community. Our belief is that families united will make the greatest impact for childhood cancer awareness, show that it is not rare, and assist in raising funds for childhood cancer research. In addition, a portion of donations made to our general fund will be donated to childhood cancer research each year. Read more by clicking the button.
Trust Shirts
Due to the generosity of Micah Parker of Trust Guy Ministries, all families in the Childhood Cancer Community are welcome to a free Trust Shirt of their choice for each of their family members. All colors are available for order. Please review the shirt options at this link (choose “Support” from top menu bar) and send your desired sizes and colors to Childhood Cancer Community via the button. Note that if you live far from Rochester, MN, we may request that you pay shipping only for your shirts.