News & Updates

October 2026 | Volume 17 - Number 8

Innovation Through Collaboration

Mattie Miracle had the vision for the creation of the Psychosocial Standards of Care and it is thanks to the incredible leadership of Dr. Lori Wiener and the collaboration with over 80 healthcare professionals, that these Standards became a reality. The Standards are designed to define what all children with cancer and their families should receive to optimally support their psychosocial needs from diagnosis, throughout treatment, into survivorship, or end of life and bereavement care.

Developing and publishing these historic Standards were just the beginning, as our current focus is to ensure that the Standards are implemented at treatment sites around the Country. To achieve this goal, the formation of a partnership, among researchers, clinicians, and patient and family advocacy groups, was necessary.

Thanks to a generous grant from The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the innovative research study, Implementing the Standards Together: Engaging Parents and Providers in Psychosocial Care (iSTEPPP), was launched. Dr. Anne Kazak, is the principal investigator of this historic implementation study.

iSTEPPP highlights the benefits of the collaboration between researchers (Nemours Children’s Health and The Center for Cancer Research, NIH) and national advocacy groups (Momcology and The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation), resulting in intentional research that has the capacity to help with the implementation of the Psychosocial Standards of Care.

Mattie Miracle is grateful for our partnership with The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and Momcology. These non-profits share Mattie Miracle’s commitment to the implementation of the Standards of Care and value the use of evidence-based psychosocial support to enhance the quality of life of children with cancer and their families.

The fourth peer-reviewed article in the series was published in August. The article is entitled, Provider and Parent Perspectives on Prioritizing the “Asking and Monitoring” Pediatric Cancer Psychosocial Standards of Care. The article highlights the critical importance of capturing both parents' and providers' perspectives and their prioritization of the three "asking and monitoring" Psychosocial Standards of Care.

Click on the image to read the published article.

Spreading Hope Through Psychosocial Support _sm

Child Life Corner

with

Adina Levitan, CCLS

Resources & Connections:

Navigating Childhood Cancer

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is in September but that does not mean that spreading awareness and support goes away when that month is over. In fact, when childhood cancer is not at the forefront of our collective minds, that is when we must redouble our efforts to spread awareness, build support and create systems that help families navigate the confusion and fear that cancer causes. That is why I am so proud to highlight the work of Certified Child Life Specialists who have made it their personal mission to provide continued support to families facing cancer.

Navigating childhood cancer can feel like learning about a whole new language, culture, or system. There is medical terminology, insurance terms, medication names, and so much more. For many parents, this leaves little space for exploring psychosocial, emotional, mental and social resources that are equally as important to their child’s wellbeing. Shani Thornton, a Certified Child Life Specialist based in California created “Childhood Cancer Resource Guide,” a digital resource featuring over 25 pages across 17 areas of support for families who have a child with cancer. From camps to peer support, to sibling support, and wish granting organizations, Shani clearly lists and organizes hundreds of organizations, nonprofits, grant opportunities and so much more. This digital download gives families opportunities to feel support, connection and hope. She is constantly updating this resource, so it remains current and relevant.

A diagnosis of childhood cancer can feel incredibly isolating, mentally, emotionally and physically. Chemotherapy wipes out immune systems and families can literally be isolated in their hospital room from days to weeks on end while their child’s immune system recovers. This limits socialization opportunities for both parents, children and siblings. It can be hard to find support from inside a hospital room. Emotionally, it can feel as if no one understands what a family is experiencing. That is where Katie Taylor, CCLS and CEO of Child Life on Call has filled the gap with her podcast “Inside the Children’s Hospital,” where she shares stories, support, and helpful resources for families navigating cancer. Here is a list of episodes focusing on children and families impacted by childhood cancer. These conversations invite other families to sit together inside the hospital room and find support from one another.

Explaining cancer to a child can be incredibly daunting. While many parents strive for honesty, there is a fear of saying the words out loud, saying the wrong thing, or creating more confusion. This led Kelsey Mora to create The Dot Method, an interactive workbook to teach children about cancer in a way that is less scary, less confusing and more approachable. Kelsey, a dual certified child life specialist and licensed clinical professional counselor, works privately supporting children and families facing medical conditions. Kelsey is also the Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group which provides free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer. The Dot Method uses simple language and clear images to help children and families process a diagnosis of cancer. The workbook breaks down the challenges that disclosure may create and offers a space for children and parents to confront cancer together with honesty and clarity, leading to improved understanding and coping.

Certified child life specialists are often described as hospital teachers and coaches. Our role is to explain what is happening and to support families through their most difficult moments. Here are three child life specialists who strive to live up to this by creating resources and connections for families while they navigate childhood cancer.

Snack & Item Carts

Mattie Miracle learned first-hand the importance of community support and generosity when Mattie was in cancer treatment. We take these lessons learned to guide the operation of our Snack & Item Carts.

Our Carts continue to make a difference in the lives of families caring for children with cancer. We are honored that our Carts also serve as an inspirational role model for other non-profits who actively help children and their families face medical crises.

Facts about Our Carts:

Operating 5 Snack & Item Carts at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (Washington, DC), Children's Hospital at Sinai (Baltimore, MD), and The NIH Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD).
Serving 2,500 families a year.
Supporting 500 families every three months.
Offering free candy, nutritional. snacks, drinks, toiletries, and wellness items to families caring for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Get Involved

It is candy and snack season! Please help us stock our free Snack and Item Carts. Our five Carts are considered a life saver by families who are caring for a child with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Hospitals have requested that candy remain in its original unopened vacuum sealed bags, with its manufacturer's expiration date. Therefore, the safest way to meet these requirements is to use an Amazon Wish List.

You can participate in our 16th annual Candy and Snack Drive from anywhere in the USA. Please view our Amazon Wish List, and we request all items be received by November 9, 2026.

Reflections from Families:

The Cart is such a sweet thing to have and it is nice to know that I can stay in clinic near my child and get a snack without leaving to grab something from the cafeteria.
It was such a nice surprise to have a Snack Cart available. Thank you, Mattie Miracle, for supporting families.
The snacks and treats brightened our day. It is so helpful to be able to grab the things that we need to make our hospital stay easier.
The Cart is a 10 out of 10. It has everything we could ever want and more.
The Snack Cart is the best thing ever!