Parenting While Living With Metastatic Cancer

Parenting while living with metastatic cancer can bring unique challenges. Alongside treatment decisions and managing care, many parents are also supporting children emotionally, balancing work and finances, maintaining routines, and planning for the future.

These practical and emotional responsibilities often overlap, leaving parents with questions about how to navigate everyday life while living with advanced cancer.

To help address these challenges, Triage Cancer and Bright Spot Network created Beyond Diagnosis: Empowering Parents Navigating Metastatic Cancer, a free program designed to provide education, resources, and support for parents living with metastatic cancer and their families.

Educational Webinar Series

The program includes a free four-part webinar series focused on the practical, emotional, legal, and family-centered issues that may arise while parenting with metastatic cancer.

Topics include:

• Parenting with Metastatic Cancer (June 9)
  Exploring the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual realities of parenting while living with metastatic disease.
• Navigating the Practical Issues of Metastatic Cancer: Insurance, Work, & Finances (July 14)
  Information about employment rights, disability insurance, health insurance, and financial considerations after a diagnosis.
• Supporting Caregivers Through Metastatic Cancer (August 18)
  Resources and strategies to support caregivers, including legal protections, support networks, and self-care.
• Legacy Work: Advance Planning & Meaningful End-of-Life Projects for Parents with Metastatic Cancer (September 15)
  Guidance on advance planning, legacy projects, and supporting children and families through future planning.

Learn more and register at TriageCancer.org/Parents

Resources for Families Navigating Metastatic Cancer

The program also includes educational materials designed to help families navigate the legal, financial, and family-related issues that often arise after a cancer diagnosis.

Practical Guides

Triage Cancer’s Practical Guides provide clear, actionable information to help individuals understand their rights, make informed decisions, and prepare for the future.

Resources include:

• Practical Guide to Cancer Rights for Caregivers
  Information about workplace rights, health insurance options, taking time off work, job protections, and paid and unpaid leave options.
• Practical Guide to Parenting with Cancer
  Information about health insurance, employment rights, disability insurance, financial planning, estate planning, talking with children about cancer, and planning for the future.

Families can also request a printed copy of the Practical Guide to Parenting with Cancer.

Bright Box and Bright Reads

Parents can also access Bright Box and Bright Reads, a collection of free books, activities, and family resources from Bright Spot Network designed specifically for children of parents with cancer.

• Families can sign up to receive three free books, The Invisible String, Someone I Love Has Cancer, and The Adventure Jar, along with three free art projects designed especially for children of parents with cancer. The art projects are intended for children ages 2 to 5.
• Families will also receive a copy of Bright Spot Network’s guide, Talking to Kids About Cancer, which provides practical guidance for parents navigating conversations with children about cancer and its impact on the family.

Individualized Support Services

Parents often have questions about insurance, employment, finances, and planning while navigating metastatic cancer. Triage Cancer’s Legal & Financial Navigation Program provides free one-on-one support to help individuals understand their options and connect with experienced attorneys and Certified Financial Planners®.

Families can also access Bright Spot Network’s Family Resource Navigation Program, which offers individualized support, including:

• Connecting families with national and local resources
• Helping organize support systems
• Guidance for talking with children about cancer
• Identifying coping strategies and family supports

Helping Families Navigate Metastatic Cancer

To learn more about the program, listen to this month’s How to Triage Health podcast episode, where Triage Cancer and Bright Spot Network discuss parenting while navigating cancer, the unique challenges families may face, and available resources and support. Listen here.

Living with metastatic cancer while raising children can feel overwhelming, but support and resources are available. Programs like Beyond Diagnosis: Empowering Parents Navigating Metastatic Cancer aim to provide practical education, trusted information, and family-centered support so parents and families do not have to navigate these challenges alone.

To learn more, access resources, or register for webinars, visit TriageCancer.org/Parents.