Letters to the Editor: Children battling cancer during pandemic

July 22, 2020

 

Any parent’s instinct is to protect their child. Imagine being the mom or dad of an immunocompromised child with cancer in need of lifesaving treatment during a pandemic.

This is what the 1,100 families across the Carolinas served by Children’s Cancer Partners are facing. Their battle to keep their children healthy before COVID-19 was a struggle. Now, their daily lives are even more precarious as they find their little ones at the highest risk of getting the virus and face greater hurdles to treatments their children need to survive.

In addition to confronting heightened health risks, our families face increased isolation and loneliness as they endure long hospital stays for recuperation without support from family and friends.

Unfortunately, scenes like these are very real for families battling childhood cancer. In addition, they are dealing with the financial burdens that come from pursuing care recommended for their children, which often involves travel and extended stays away from home.

With many parents out of work due to the pandemic, the financial struggles have escalated. At Children’s Cancer Partners, we help Carolina families navigate their children’s cancer journey, providing crucial financial support, assistance and encouragement every step of the way.

The battle against cancer doesn’t stop, even as our world fights COVID-19.

We are ensuring our families get the increased attention and care they desperately need from our committed team of staff and volunteers to make certain their children’s cancer treatment continues.

In the Lowcountry alone, CCP is providing assistance to more than 100 families.

If you need help personally or know of someone who does, please reach out to us.

If you can help provide for these vulnerable children and their families, please contact us at ChildrensCancerPartners.org.

LAURA ALLEN

Executive Director

Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas

South Pine Street

Spartanburg

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