war/ri/or – n. courageous fighter battling pediatric cancer
For 45 years, WOKC has served kids (and their families) afflicted with cancer. Our approach is three-dimensional: attack cancer with cutting-edge research, provide comfort and hope with Buddy Bags, and support the entire family with comprehensive family programs. Our support is unwavering because we exist to walk beside these families throughout the journey - from the diagnosis to ringing the bell and beyond. That is our passion at WOKC and if that mission speaks to your heart...we have a place for you on our team! Let's go!
BUDDY BAGS
The meaning
Typically, as soon as a pediatric cancer diagnosis or suspected diagnoses is given, the parent(s) and child are immediately sent to the hospital for further tests and/or to begin treatment There is no time to return home and pack a bag, so there you are – in a hospital room with your child, a pediatric cancer diagnosis, and not much else. That changes the moment a Child Life Specialist rolls a Buddy Bag (a canvas, rolling suitcase) into the room.
Buddy Bag items
An unexpected transition from home to hospital is not pleasant – the WOKC Buddy Bag makes it a little better.
The bag is strategically filled with items for the parents (i.e.: toiletries, pillow, blanket, booklight, Sudoku book, laundry bag, dining gift cards, etc…) and the patient (i.e.: toiletries, ageappropriate entertainment items, and an iPad with Air Pods). The iPad enables the child to FaceTime friends and family members, download schoolwork, and download entertainment to watch during unpleasant cancer treatments.
“They have a moment of just fun and excitement while they and their family go through the bag. I’ve had many parents tell me later that the Buddy Bag changed the situation for their child. Recently, I had a child exclaim, “this is the best day of my life!” after opening the Buddy Bag. That statement came two-hours after the child was told he had cancer.”
- Child Life Specialist
WARRIOR FAMILY PROGRAMS
war/ri/or–n. courageousfighter battlingpediatric cancer
WOKC refers to pediatric cancer patients as “warriors” and the WOKC Warrior Family Programs are designed to positively impact the entire familybecause pediatric cancer affects the entire family. The Warrior Family Program provides free, fun events when the patient is between treatments. The families enjoy amusement venues, concerts, sporting events, holiday parties, and other social engagement activities … “medicine for the soul” is how one parent described the activities.
Click here to explore our Programs website
WARRIORPARENT SOCIALSPROGRAM
The Warrior Parent Socials Program provides “date night” events with other parents also enduring a pediatric cancer journey. This helps combat the elevated divorce rate of parents with a critically ill child, while also helping to organically create new support systems.
“I told my husband we were absolutely going to [a Parents Night out]. We were either going to be celebrating a good test result or using it as a respite from additional bad news. We needed this for us.”
-Warrior mom about a Parent Night Out event
WARRIORFAMILY SUPPORTFUND
The Warrior Family Support Fund Program provides grocery and gas gift cards for families who are struggling financially. A pediatric cancer diagnosis often creates a financial strain and ensuring these families can eat and have the ability to drive to and from the hospital are basic needs WOKC must protect.
Conversations with Kids
Beating Cancer podcast
This podcast is a global initiative designed as a support component for kids when a cancer diagnosis is given. Kids with cancer experience a range of emotions (i.e.: fear, anger, isolation, “why me”) following the diagnosis. Each podcast episode features a pediatric cancer survivor which helps to create a “safe space” to help validate those emotions.
14-year-old pediatric cancer catient
“I just listened to your podcast and I started to cry because I felt like someone knew what I had been through and what it was like. So thank you so much, y’all are such a blessing.”
RESEARCH
Cutting Edge pediatric cancer innovations
Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer focuses on cutting edge pediatric cancer innovations that represent advancements in treatment outcomes which include early detection, prevention of harmful side effects, and less invasive treatments.
10M 30M
SCIENCE&MEDICAL RESEARCHCOMMITTEE
Our Science & Medical Research Committee carefully selects cutting-edge research studies that might not initially receive traditional funding. These innovations are critical and are keeping scientists working toward advancements in medicine and treatments essential to the mission WOKC serves.
WOKC has funded a wide range of national cancer research projects in almost every pediatric cancer category. The results are making a difference in treatments and outcomes.
One example is a project WOKC helped start that allows children to receive radiation without being sedated. This cuts out hours of harmful sedation while still allowing the radiation therapy to treat the child.
SOHEIL MESHINCHI, MD, PHD
BY THE NUMBERS WIPE OUT KIDS’ CANCER:
BUDDY BAGS DELIVERED per year
700+
11,400+
FAMILIES SERVED per year
GLOBAL PODCAST
The Kids Beating Cancer podcast serves pediatric cancer patients (and their families) in 15 countries.
Noamountis toosmalltogive.
$25
Provides a pair of wireless headphones placed in a Buddy Bag. The headphones are an essential component when using the iPad in the hospital
$50 $100
Sponsors a parent for one of the WOKC Warrior Parent Socials events. These events are designed to combat the increased divorce rate of parents with a critically ill child.
Sponsors a family for a Warrior Family Night Out, which provides a brief respite from the cancer diagnosis.
Volunteering is a great way to get involved with WOKC’s mission! Make an impact in the lives of pediatric cancer families today.
