The first days · Step 1 of 8
Just Diagnosed
We just heard the word cancer and our world stopped.
What to expect
The first days after diagnosis move fast and feel impossible. You will meet a care team, hear unfamiliar words, and make decisions before you feel ready. You do not need to understand everything at once. Right now the goal is simply to get your footing: know who is on your team, what happens next, and where to turn for help.
First steps
- Ask your care team for a written summary of the diagnosis and the plan.
- Get the name and number of your hospital social worker. They are your first connection to financial and practical help.
- Start one notebook or notes app for questions, names, and instructions.
- Ask about financial counseling early. Help exists, and asking sooner means more of it.
- Tell siblings something honest and age-appropriate. They notice everything.
Guides for this stage
5 min read
You've Just Been Diagnosed: First Steps
A calm, short list of what to do first when your child is newly diagnosed, before you feel ready for any of it.
Read guide4 min read
Questions to Ask Your Care Team
A starter list of questions that help you understand the diagnosis, the plan, and what to expect.
Read guide7 min read
Finding Money and Navigating Bills
Where the help is, and how to navigate insurance and medical bills when paying for care is your biggest worry.
Read guide5 min read
Supporting Siblings Through Childhood Cancer
Brothers and sisters carry this too. Practical ways to help siblings feel safe, included, and seen.
Read guideWhat families need most here
The kinds of help that matter most at this stage. You can always explore every need.
Understanding Treatment
Make sense of the diagnosis and the plan, learn what questions to ask, and understand options like clinical trials and second opinions.
Money & Bills
Find grants, navigate insurance and medical bills, and replace lost income. Paying for care is the number one worry families name, and help exists.
Siblings
Brothers and sisters carry this too. Find ways to support siblings, keep them connected, and help them feel seen.
Caring for Myself
Your own health matters. Find mental-health support, respite, and a place to be asked how you are doing, not just how your child is.
We are here for you
Find vetted programs in the resource finder, or tell us what your family needs and our team will reach out.