Resources

At Angel Foundation, we know parenting through cancer is hard, but we are here to help you discuss your diagnosis and treatment with your children. Angel Foundation guidebooks and resources provide accurate, developmentally appropriate information to share with your children.

FAMILY GUIDEBOOKS

Talking to your children about your diagnosis can be difficult, but it is important to keep communication channels open. Our Family Guidebooks are here to help get the conversation started. Filled with self-care and coping information, plus tips for talking to children of all ages, our guidebooks will help you and your family manage the cancer diagnosis at home.  Click the links below to download an age-specific guidebook. Contact us or call Emily Rezac at (612) 627-9000 ext. 507 if you would like a copy mailed to you.

Parent Guidebook
Teen Guidebook
Pre-Teen Guidebook
Children’s Guidebook

PARENTING THROUGH CANCER

Sometimes questions will come up for which you don’t have an answer. That is okay, we are here to help! The resource links below will help with specific questions, or you can contact our office for one-on-one support. Emily Rezac is available Monday-Friday to help discuss your family’s needs: call (612) 627-9000 ext. 507 or contact us via email.

How to tell your child you have cancer
Age-appropriate tips and tools
Basic definitions of cancer and its treatment
Prepare your child for upcoming surgery

 

AngelPacks are given to children, pre-teens and teens who have a parent or grandparent with cancer. Free backpacks contain a guidebook and items that provide comfort, reduce stress and promote healthy conversation. Currently, AngelPacks are available at more than 50 clinics and hospitals in the Twin Cities metro area. If you’d like to receive AngelPacks for your children, please ask your healthcare team or call Emily Rezac at (612) 627-9000 ext. 507.

After talking with your child about a cancer diagnosis, books are a helpful way to follow up that discussion. Books can help answer questions, let the reader explore feelings, and clear up any possible misconceptions.

 

SCHOOL AGE

Cancer:

  • Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings, by Ellen McVicker
  • Still Me, by Rebecca DuBois
  • When Someone You Love Has Cancer: A Guide to Helping Kids Cope, by Alaric Lewis

Separation anxiety:

  • I’m Here, by Peter H. Reynolds
  • The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst

 

TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS

  • Love Sick: Teens Reflect on Growing Up with a Parent Who Has Cancer, by Lynnette Wilhard
  • My Parent has Cancer and it Really Sucks, by Maya Silver and Marc Silver
  • Reflections – Teen Thoughts on Having a Parent With Cancer, by Katie Jecha

 

PARENTS

Parenting through a diagnosis:

  • Can I Still Kiss You? Answering Your Children’s Questions About Cancer, by Neil Russell
  • Camp Chemo: Postcards home from metastatic breast cancer, by Camille Scheel
  • How to Help Children through a Parent’s Serious Illness, by Kathleen McCue
  • When a Parent has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children, by Wendy Harpham

 

Download this list