Everything is happening so fast. Where can my family get advice and support?

Do you feel like your world is in fast-forward right now? You and your child have just received life-altering news, yet you’re being given little time to think about and plan for important decisions regarding your child’s future and the potential for having a family after cancer. It can all feel pretty overwhelming. And sometimes, just getting the facts isn’t enough.
You may not realize this, but approximately 1 in 300 children will be diagnosed with some kind of cancer between birth and the age of 20, so there are many parents out there who have gone through just what you’re going through. But between technological advances in cancer treatment and heightened survival rates, planning for life and a family after cancer has become a reality.
Are you wondering about what other people have experienced, lessons they have learned, or questions they wished they had asked in the early stages of diagnosis? You can listen to amazing stories of hope, advice, and determination in our Videos section.
If you are concerned about practical issues such as financial assistance for fertility treatments, visit <a href="http://www.fertilehope.org/" target="_blank">Fertile Hope</a>, an organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support, and hope to cancer patients and survivors at risk for infertility. You can also receive one-on-one support regarding issues such as financial assistance for cancer treatments by completing a <a href="http://www.livestrong.org/survivorcare/form" target="_blank">LIVESTRONG SurvivorCare Form</a>.
Remember that while you’re supporting your child, it’s also important to seek support for yourself. You’ll be a better source of strength, courage, and love if your own needs and concerns are addressed. If you’re able to enlist the help of others in your area, visit <a href="http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/" target="_blank">Lotsa Helping Hands.</a> You’ll find an online calendar specifically designed to help you organize people who can keep your family’s everyday life running smoothly.
While your child primarily depends on you for physical and emotional support, he or she may want additional help during this confusing and frustrating time. If you feel your child may benefit from making a personal connection with someone who has been through what he or she is experiencing now, you can enlist <a href="http://www.imermanangels.org/" target="_blank">Imerman Angels</a> to provide one-on-one cancer support. The organization connects a person diagnosed with cancer with a cancer survivor. Your child will have the opportunity to ask personal questions and receive encouragement from someone uniquely familiar with his/her situation.
Older children may appreciate the alternative perspective of <a href="http://www.imtooyoungforthis.org" target="_blank">I'm Too Young For This!</a> It’s a specialized site for young people with cancer focused on social networking, and uses humor and an edgy, non-traditional tone to deliver its message of support.
Children of all ages may respond well to the familiar format and personal feel of <a href="http://www.carepages.com/" target="_blank">CarePages.com.</a> This positive and interactive site allows your child to browse an online community of cancer patients (and those dealing with other illnesses) who have created personal pages to upload pictures and give updates on their lives, health, and overall well-being. Your child will also get to exercise his or her creative muscles by starting a page of his or her own.
Visit the links to your right to find further helpful information for both you and your child.

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