Nurses Create Food Pantry to Fight Food Insecurity Among Pediatric Cancer Families

A cancer diagnosis brings profound emotional, physical and financial strain to patients and their families. These challenges often stem from reduced work hours, increased travel costs for frequent appointments and the loss of essential supports such as free or reduced-price school meals when children in active treatment are pulled from school. For many families, transportation barriers further complicate access to community food banks and social services.

As a result, food insecurity becomes an invisible yet powerful threat — one that undermines treatment tolerance, healing and hope. Alexandria DiGilio, BSN, RN, and Erica Colchao, BSN, RN, exemplify what it means to be Extraordinary Healers. Through compassion-driven leadership and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, these two nurses recognized that clinical excellence alone was not enough. They listened deeply to families, observed unmet needs and identified a critical gap that directly affected patient outcomes.

In response, they went far beyond their job descriptions to establish the Pediatric Infusion Food Pantry — an innovative, sustainable solution grounded in dignity and empathy. The pantry provides weekly grocery bags filled with nutritious, nonperishable items thoughtfully tailored to the needs of pediatric oncology patients and their families. Each bag offers practical relief from financial stress and ensures consistent access to food during an already overwhelming time. For caregivers balancing treatment schedules, work disruptions and emotional exhaustion, these groceries represent one less impossible choice. Families can remain focused on their child's care rather than worrying about how they will feed their household.

The impact has been remarkable. In the first three months alone, the pantry served 55 pediatric patients, supporting 223 household members. These numbers reflect more than distribution — they represent stability, nourishment and compassion in action. Each bag is a tangible expression of care, reinforcing that families are seen, valued and supported.

By securing Inova Foundation funding and translating it into immediate, meaningful impact, Alexandria and Erica transformed a vision into a lifeline. Their work exemplifies the highest standard of oncology nursing advocacy — care that extends beyond the bedside to address social determinants of health. Through innovation, leadership and heart, they have reshaped what healing looks like for vulnerable families, proving that extraordinary care meets people where they are and lifts them when they need it most.

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