Support for Families with
Family life can be upended when a parent has MBC and discussing it with your kids can feel tricky. “The Adventure Jar: A Story of Magic for Families Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer” explores the everyday magic that can still be possible when families come together, even in times of inevitable change, uncertainty and disappointment.
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The Adventure Jar was created in collaboration with the MBC community and professionals, including a psychiatrist, to help families impacted by MBC.
Lauren is one of those collaborators. She was diagnosed with MBC at 37 years old and struggled with the emotional impact cancer had on her husband and three young daughters. She hopes the book encourages other families to continue finding joy in the simple actions and togetherness of family.
As a psychiatrist and therapist for people with cancer, there have been countless times when I have sat with a parent and talked through ideas for how to connect with and help their children, even amid some of the toughest circumstances. I have often wished I could provide them with resources that are helpful, hopeful, and realistic. I believe that this book helps meet that need.
Eliza Park, MD, MS
The Adventure Jar can help open conversations with young children about how to find magic, even when things don’t go quite right. We’ve teamed up with Bright Spot Network to provide conversation starters and activities that are suited to your kids’ ages and needs.
Create your own Adventure Jar
More information
You aren’t alone in navigating the challenges of MBC as a family. There are specific resources that can help.
Adventure Therapy Foundation offers coaching and retreats that encourage families to confront the emotional side effects of cancer and engage in meaningful experiences together.
This page offers resources to help you understand what children might be thinking and feeling, how to talk to them and ideas on how you may be able to help them through this time.
On this podcast, Kelly Grosklags, a licensed clinical social worker and grief counselor, shares advice on talking to children about MBC through a virtual community forum.
Bright Spot Network offers programs and services to support young cancer survivors who are parents of small children with a safe space for individual and familial healing, recovery and reconnection.
Kesem provides free summer camps, day programs and virtual meet-ups for youth and adolescents facing a parent’s cancer to connect with peers, process their experiences and have fun.
This page offers guidance on ways to tell partners, children and parents about your diagnosis. How you share the news will be different depending on the family member.
Pickles Group provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer.
This page features resources for young families, including a book written by Child Life Specialist Morgan Livingstone with tools and tips for talking to children openly and honestly about all stages of MBC, from diagnosis, through treatment and end of life.
“I have a long way to go, but I’m still here trying to battle it out.”
Meet LaToya
“I know there are cases that are going well, and that’s what I’ve been holding on to.”
Meet Katja
“For my kids, they’ve never known Mom or remember Mom without having cancer.”
Meet Esther
“I must keep living. I must do my best.”
Meet Kei
“When I choose to live bigger instead of smaller, my kids embrace a bigger life with me.”
Meet Lauren
"If it feels difficult, know that it's not permanent, that you can go beyond it."
Meet Melissa
Need more support?
Cancer can be a long and difficult journey for all those affected. Regardless of the stage or severity of the cancer, or how far into treatment you are, as a patient or caregiver, finding the support you need as an individual is important. There are many resources available to help you find the support you need.
