Alyssa and Melissa are the two newest social workers at Friend of Karen, having joined the organization two years ago. They share their perspectives on working with children being treated for cancer, and their family members.

It is an honor to support children with cancer and their families and bear witness to the strength they exhibit and experiences they face. We are dedicated to being by their sides and it is a privilege to work with them.

As Friends of Karen social workers, we recognize that assisting the entire family through their challenges is critical to how they continue to manage cancer within their family. Cancer impacts the whole family in profound ways and in every aspect of their lives. The families we support are fortunate that Friends of Karen works on the principle that every family is unique and that social workers can shape our support to their individual needs.

When working with children being treated for cancer, we consider the length of treatment that can last one to three years, the impact of treatment-related side effects, and the emotional toll it all takes. Families feel comfortable working with us because we remain present at every stage of the child’s cancer journey and build a trusting relationship. We are there when the child is feeling ill post treatment or when a parent needs a gentle ear to hold their pain and concerns. We can even come back and work with them again if their child relapses.

One of the most difficult aspects of cancer is that families navigate constant uncertainty which leads to tremendous anxiety. The anxiety it brings can be everything from the financial strain of paying bills while their caregiver can’t work while they care for their ill child to the outcome of treatment. We understand how their issues interact, so when we address a family’s financial challenges, we also alleviate their stress while creating more time for parents to be with their ill child and other children.

As Friends of Karen social workers, despite having to witness pain and suffering within a family, we are motivated by the ways we have been able to enact change and offer families what they need.