Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with ALL: A Resource-Rich Guide for Parents

By The Natalie Strong Foundation

Hearing the words “your child has leukemia” is devastating. If your child has just been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), you may be feeling overwhelmed, terrified, and uncertain about what lies ahead. While this moment is incredibly difficult, you are not alone. Many parents have walked this road and there is a strong network of support, education, and treatment available.

This guide brings together essential resources—medical, emotional, financial, and practical—to help you begin navigating this journey.

1. Understanding the Diagnosis

Start by gaining a solid understanding of ALL and what treatment typically involves.

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)Clear explanations, treatment guides, and free booklets like “Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children.”→ Call their Information Specialists: 1-800-955-4572

• American Cancer Society: Childhood LeukemiaOffers a comprehensive overview of ALL, treatment stages, side effects, and coping tips.

• Children’s Oncology Group – Family HandbookFree downloadable guide from the top pediatric cancer research network in the world.

2. Hospital & Care Team Resources

Your child’s care team will become a major part of your life. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

• Ask for a hospital social worker or patient navigator.They can connect you with meal programs, housing, therapy services, sibling support, and financial help.

• Keep a binder or use an app like CareZone or MyChart to track appointments, labs, and medications.

3. Financial Assistance

The costs of cancer treatment can be staggering. Fortunately, many programs exist to help.

• Family Reach: Financial grants for non-medical expenses like rent, gas, and groceries.

• The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS): Travel and emergency assistance.

• CancerCare for Kids: Financial assistance and free counseling.

• HealthWell Foundation: Helps with insurance copays for ALL treatment.

4. Emotional and Mental Health Support

A diagnosis can emotionally shake the whole family.

• Momcology: A supportive community of moms whose children have cancer.

• Stupid Cancer: Resources for teens/young adults and their parents.

• Camp Kesem: Free summer camp for children whose parents or siblings have cancer.

• Therapy Resources: Ask your hospital’s pediatric oncology department if they have trauma-informed counselors or refer to Psychology Today for child and family therapists near you.

5. Education and School Planning

Kids with ALL often miss a lot of school, so early coordination is key.

• Hospital education coordinators: Can help with IEPs, 504 plans, and tutoring.

• CureSearch’s School Re-entry Resources: Helps parents advocate for a successful return to school.

• Learning Ally: Audiobooks and learning resources for children with medical challenges.

6. Day-to-Day Practical Help

Keeping life functioning amid cancer treatment is hard.

• Meal Train: Set up by friends/family to organize meal deliveries.

• CaringBridge: Free site for medical updates to keep everyone informed.

• Beads of Courage: Helps children cope with treatment milestones through a bead program.

• Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Funds research, travel assistance, and offers a mobile app for tracking care.

7. Connecting With Other Parents

Nothing replaces talking to someone who truly gets it.

• Facebook Groups:

  • Parents of Kids with ALL

  • Childhood Cancer Support Group

  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Awareness

• Inspire: A secure space to join leukemia parent communities anonymously.

8. Long-Term Outlook & Survivorship

ALL has one of the highest cure rates among pediatric cancers, especially when caught early.

• Survivorship Resources – Dana-Farber: Focuses on life after treatment.

• After the Diagnosis: Guides and resources to help transition after initial treatment ends.

You didn’t choose this journey, but you are now part of a strong and resilient community. Lean into the support systems available. Ask for help often. Celebrate small wins. You are your child’s greatest advocate—and every day you show up is a powerful act of love.