News of a parent’s cancer diagnosis can shake a child’s foundation. Waves of confusion, fear, uncertainty, anger, sadness, and more often prove emotionally and psychologically overwhelming, adding another layer to an already challenging experience.
This inspired University Cancer & Blood Center (UCBC) to organize its inaugural Growing Together event. Designed specifically for families with children 18 or younger who are navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis or treatment, it took place April 18 at the UCBC Athens campus and drew more than a dozen families.
“The day created a fun, camp-like atmosphere with a mix of play activities and hands-on medical exploration stations throughout the clinic,” said Aly Neathery, a UCBC marketing representative. “It was truly special to see families engaging, learning, and enjoying time together in a supportive environment.”
The idea itself came from Charissa Bright, an oncology social worker with UCBC. While UCBC offers family support groups, they wanted to take things further by organizing an event that encourages even more family participation.
“Our goal was to give families a space for connection, support, learning, and having fun together during a particularly difficult season,” Bright explained. “We want families to feel supported, to grow closer, and to strengthen their family bonds during their cancer journey.”
Bright’s concept was influenced by similar family-centric events produced by nonprofits Wonders & Worries and Camp Kesem. She pitched the idea to the UCBC Cares Foundation, the practice’s nonprofit arm that works to serve the community beyond the clinical setting. The proposal immediately struck a chord, Bright said. The foundation quickly embraced the event’s vision of supporting the emotional well-being of patients and families, which closely aligns with its own mission of education, support, prevention, and volunteerism.
The UCBC Cares Foundation soon recruited student volunteers from the University of Georgia, and partnered with Wonders & Worries and Camp Kesem for event planning. Growing Together continued taking shape as both Athens Ford and East Georgia Cancer Coalition came on board as sponsors.
On event day, children were given a lab coat upon arrival before having the opportunity to explore the various education stations. To help kids learn more about what their parents are experiencing in the UCBC clinic, each child was given a plush doll. They would then visit each station and have a mock medical procedure performed on the doll, from vital signs to imaging.
“Our hope was this would dispel myths as well as give children a better understanding of why their parent might be experiencing side effects of treatment,” Bright said.
Other activities included various outdoor games, a meal, family engagement activities, and mindfulness crafts. Children celebrated their parent’s treatment journey by ringing the bell in the healing garden. The day wrapped with a singalong and prizes. Before they left, guests could pose for a family photo beneath a large balloon tree signifying their strength as they grow together.
Bright said she was overwhelmed by the positive response from participants. Some noted how their children were able to connect with other kids processing the same feelings. Multiple parents shared how the event better helped their children understand what they are experiencing. In fact, one parent described how their child was offering medical play to their stuffed animals and toys once the child returned home from the event.
“UCBC’s mission is to provide comprehensive care, and that includes serving the patient and their family,” Bright said. “When children have a clearer understanding of what happens when their parents are at the clinic, this can reduce anxiety and foster a greater sense of comfort.”
