Family resources and tools
When a child has cancer, you need a trusted source of information.
We regularly update our collection of useful resources because cancer isn’t simple or straightforward, and there is always more information to be shared. Take your time to look through what’s on offer and what will work for you right now.
The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.
The myRedkite Portal is where young people with cancer, their families, and those connected to them can access Redkite’s support services.
Redkite’s Coffee Catch Ups are an opportunity to connect regularly with a supportive network of people who understand childhood cancer.
Redkite’s Coffee Catch Ups are an opportunity to connect regularly with a supportive network of people who understand childhood cancer.
Everything changes when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, a family must focus all their attention on caring for their sick child.
Everything changes when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, a family must focus all their attention on caring for their sick child.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a dad may need emotional and mental support. We look at how Redkite Counselling and Connect Groups for Dads can help.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a dad may need emotional and mental support. We look at how Redkite Counselling and Connect Groups for Dads can help.
For children, it can be scary and upsetting watching the effects of cancer treatment for their sibling and seeing them in pain and in and out of hospital.
For children, it can be scary and upsetting watching the effects of cancer treatment for their sibling and seeing them in pain and in and out of hospital.
Significant days and anniversaries can bring expectations. Feelings and emotion can be intensified, when your child is going through cancer.
Significant days and anniversaries can bring expectations. Feelings and emotion can be intensified, when your child is going through cancer.
Grief can be an overpowering and overwhelming emotion. Managing everyday life during and even after treatment may feel challenging at times.
Grief can be an overpowering and overwhelming emotion. Managing everyday life during and even after treatment may feel challenging at times.
“Having this support for me to re-enter the workforce has just completely changed the trajectory of our family, financially and helped me emotionally and mentally, feeling like I can achieve things again.”
“Having this support for me to re-enter the workforce has just completely changed the trajectory of our family, financially and helped me emotionally and mentally, feeling like I can achieve things again.”
Redkite provides free counselling for adults. You can talk to us once or twice, or more often if you need. It’s up to you.
Redkite provides free counselling for adults. You can talk to us once or twice, or more often if you need. It’s up to you.
It can be hard to know how to help a mother when their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Offering the right help can make all the difference.
It can be hard to know how to help a mother when their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Offering the right help can make all the difference.
This booklet answers some of the many questions which grandparents of children with cancer told Redkite they would have liked answered when their grandchild was diagnosed and during their grandchild’s treatment phase.
This booklet answers some of the many questions which grandparents of children with cancer told Redkite they would have liked answered when their grandchild was diagnosed and during their grandchild’s treatment phase.
Music can promote connection and strengthen relationships within your family. Katie explored the Redkite Music Box and thought it would be helpful for families facing the cancer experience.
Music can promote connection and strengthen relationships within your family. Katie explored the Redkite Music Box and thought it would be helpful for families facing the cancer experience.
These school holidays the kids can have fun and relax after a big term of school and parents can relax the routine and have more time to connect with their family.
These school holidays the kids can have fun and relax after a big term of school and parents can relax the routine and have more time to connect with their family.
After Emily was diagnosed with cancer, Redkite’s children’s counselling program played a vital role in supporting the emotional wellbeing of Emily and her sister Lucy.
After Emily was diagnosed with cancer, Redkite’s children’s counselling program played a vital role in supporting the emotional wellbeing of Emily and her sister Lucy.
Dad Tom speaks about his daughter Bianca’s diagnosis, how it impacted his family, and the stress of caring for his daughter while also managing a demanding job.
Dad Tom speaks about his daughter Bianca’s diagnosis, how it impacted his family, and the stress of caring for his daughter while also managing a demanding job.
Childhood cancer can have a large impact on a family’s financial situation. Here are some support services that may be able to help.
Childhood cancer can have a large impact on a family’s financial situation. Here are some support services that may be able to help.
A child with cancer can experience a whirlwind of emotions throughout their cancer experience. Here we discuss some of the things they may be feeling.
A child with cancer can experience a whirlwind of emotions throughout their cancer experience. Here we discuss some of the things they may be feeling.
A child or teenager who has been diagnosed with cancer will go through treatment and as a result, can look different to what looked like before diagnosis. We look at how they might be the target of bullying and what you can do to help.
A child or teenager who has been diagnosed with cancer will go through treatment and as a result, can look different to what looked like before diagnosis. We look at how they might be the target of bullying and what you can do to help.
It’s that time of year again, dusting off the school uniforms, shopping for school supplies, thinking about creative lunch box and snack ideas as we forge ahead into a new school year.
It’s that time of year again, dusting off the school uniforms, shopping for school supplies, thinking about creative lunch box and snack ideas as we forge ahead into a new school year.
Music can be a real source of support during the cancer experience. Our Redkite Music Box activities for young children and teens going through cancer can help them through challenging times.
Music can be a real source of support during the cancer experience. Our Redkite Music Box activities for young children and teens going through cancer can help them through challenging times.
Healthy eating is an important part of your child’s wellbeing. If your child is going back to school after cancer treatment, this article offers ideas on healthy lunchboxes and after school snack ideas.
Healthy eating is an important part of your child’s wellbeing. If your child is going back to school after cancer treatment, this article offers ideas on healthy lunchboxes and after school snack ideas.
Many big emotions come up when you’re facing childhood cancer, for parents and for children. The below mindfulness exercises can help you reduce and manage these strong feelings.
Many big emotions come up when you’re facing childhood cancer, for parents and for children. The below mindfulness exercises can help you reduce and manage these strong feelings.
With careful planning and consideration, the return to school can be a smooth transition. Below, we outline some tips for parents and teachers to help a child return to school at the end of their cancer treatment.
With careful planning and consideration, the return to school can be a smooth transition. Below, we outline some tips for parents and teachers to help a child return to school at the end of their cancer treatment.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
Parents face many challenges when their child is diagnosed with cancer. This article helps you to find ways of staying connected and supporting each other in your relationship.
Parents face many challenges when their child is diagnosed with cancer. This article helps you to find ways of staying connected and supporting each other in your relationship.
A childhood cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Here are some ideas to help keep your family connected.
A childhood cancer diagnosis can disrupt the family in many ways. Here are some ideas to help keep your family connected.
Anxious feelings can sometimes be hard to spot and can manifest in different ways. Here we share common signs of anxiety and how to help children navigate this often scary and uncertain emotion.
Anxious feelings can sometimes be hard to spot and can manifest in different ways. Here we share common signs of anxiety and how to help children navigate this often scary and uncertain emotion.
Teachers are an important part of a child and teenager’s life. They influence their students and help shape their futures.
Teachers are an important part of a child and teenager’s life. They influence their students and help shape their futures.
It’s natural to think that once cancer treatment is over, the child is in the clear and it’s time for celebration. For the family, that is not always the case.
It’s natural to think that once cancer treatment is over, the child is in the clear and it’s time for celebration. For the family, that is not always the case.
From diagnosis to end of treatment and beyond, parents and carers looking after a child with cancer often have limited time to socialise, however, you can play an important role in helping to keep some normality in their lives.
From diagnosis to end of treatment and beyond, parents and carers looking after a child with cancer often have limited time to socialise, however, you can play an important role in helping to keep some normality in their lives.
Siblings of children with cancer can experience a lot of change in their life and be directly affected emotionally and socially by their brother or sisters’ diagnosis. We take a look at how you can help.
Siblings of children with cancer can experience a lot of change in their life and be directly affected emotionally and socially by their brother or sisters’ diagnosis. We take a look at how you can help.
As outsiders looking in, it can be difficult to understand just how deeply childhood cancer can affect a family’s life. When a child is diagnosed, most aspects of their family’s lifestyle are impacted in some way, which can cause a lot of extra expenses that we may not think of.
As outsiders looking in, it can be difficult to understand just how deeply childhood cancer can affect a family’s life. When a child is diagnosed, most aspects of their family’s lifestyle are impacted in some way, which can cause a lot of extra expenses that we may not think of.
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
Creating healthier eating habits with your child can be difficult after cancer treatment. Here we share some fun tips and activities to encourage your child to eat heathier foods.
Parents and carers of children diagnosed with cancer often experience stress, overwhelm and uncertainty throughout the cancer experience. Here are our tips for coping with strong emotions during this challenging time.
Parents and carers of children diagnosed with cancer often experience stress, overwhelm and uncertainty throughout the cancer experience. Here are our tips for coping with strong emotions during this challenging time.
If you are closely connected with or know a family whose child has been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to offer your help and support. There is a big difference in how comfortable people feel about offering help and asking for help.
If you are closely connected with or know a family whose child has been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to offer your help and support. There is a big difference in how comfortable people feel about offering help and asking for help.
The childhood cancer experience is often described by families as a marathon, an emotional rollercoaster and an overwhelming time for all members of a family.
The childhood cancer experience is often described by families as a marathon, an emotional rollercoaster and an overwhelming time for all members of a family.
Depending on their role, each person in a family is affected by childhood cancer differently. This article outlines some of the common experiences dads can face during their child’s cancer experience.
Depending on their role, each person in a family is affected by childhood cancer differently. This article outlines some of the common experiences dads can face during their child’s cancer experience.
What happens to mothers when their child is diagnosed with cancer? While each story is different, below we’ve outlined some common experiences mothers can face throughout their child’s cancer experience.
What happens to mothers when their child is diagnosed with cancer? While each story is different, below we’ve outlined some common experiences mothers can face throughout their child’s cancer experience.
Childhood cancer impacts each member of a family and all the different relationships in their life.
Childhood cancer impacts each member of a family and all the different relationships in their life.
Talking about cancer can be daunting. You may have fears about how people will react, and voicing it can make it feel more real somehow
Talking about cancer can be daunting. You may have fears about how people will react, and voicing it can make it feel more real somehow
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
It can be hard to talk to your children about how their feeling. In this article, our social workers suggest some books that may help your conversations.
It can be hard to talk to your children about how their feeling. In this article, our social workers suggest some books that may help your conversations.
When your child isn’t going to get better is an eleven-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents.
When your child isn’t going to get better is an eleven-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents.
Everyone grieves in different ways. While your grief may be similar in some ways to other people’s, it will still be individual to you. It’s your own experience.
Everyone grieves in different ways. While your grief may be similar in some ways to other people’s, it will still be individual to you. It’s your own experience.
Offering the right kind of help to a family whose child has cancer can be difficult. Parents have shared the best ways other have helped them, so you can feel confident in offering meaningful support.
Offering the right kind of help to a family whose child has cancer can be difficult. Parents have shared the best ways other have helped them, so you can feel confident in offering meaningful support.
Having to stay in hospital can bring about different challenges. Parents have shared some tips to help you feel more comfortable and to seek support you might need.
Having to stay in hospital can bring about different challenges. Parents have shared some tips to help you feel more comfortable and to seek support you might need.
If your child’s friend is diagnosed with cancer, you might be wondering how this could impact your child.
If your child’s friend is diagnosed with cancer, you might be wondering how this could impact your child.
A list of services providers offering financial aid in Australia
A list of services providers offering financial aid in Australia
Men are encouraged to show strength and can’t say if you’re struggling, but how should a man behave when his child is diagnosed with cancer?
Men are encouraged to show strength and can’t say if you’re struggling, but how should a man behave when his child is diagnosed with cancer?
Living without your child is a nine-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents about life after your child dies.
Living without your child is a nine-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents about life after your child dies.
Redkite’s team of social workers are experts in child counselling and have some suggestions that may help you connect with your children.
Redkite’s team of social workers are experts in child counselling and have some suggestions that may help you connect with your children.
This resource is for adults who would like to explain childhood cancer to the children they care for who are aged 8-12. The resource includes age-appropriate answers for common questions children have.
This resource is for adults who would like to explain childhood cancer to the children they care for who are aged 8-12. The resource includes age-appropriate answers for common questions children have.
Mum of two, Fiona, shares how books became a useful resource for her family to talk about childhood cancer throughout her daughter’s diagnosis and treatment.
Mum of two, Fiona, shares how books became a useful resource for her family to talk about childhood cancer throughout her daughter’s diagnosis and treatment.
A mother shares her thoughts on the Cascade program, and how it has helped her overcome the challenges that she faced when her child finished cancer treatment.
A mother shares her thoughts on the Cascade program, and how it has helped her overcome the challenges that she faced when her child finished cancer treatment.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Parents have shared their top tips for looking after your mental health when your child has been diagnosed with cancer.
Parents have shared their top tips for looking after your mental health when your child has been diagnosed with cancer.
Finishing cancer treatment can also bring up unexpected feelings and responses. It takes time to adjust, and we’re here to support you.
Finishing cancer treatment can also bring up unexpected feelings and responses. It takes time to adjust, and we’re here to support you.
When your child dies is a nine-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents about life after your child dies.
When your child dies is a nine-page booklet written using the real experiences of bereaved parents about life after your child dies.
A case study about how effective KiteCrew is in providing meaningful support to families facing childhood cancer
A case study about how effective KiteCrew is in providing meaningful support to families facing childhood cancer
A case study about how effective children’s counselling is in providing a safe place for children to express themselves
A case study about how effective children’s counselling is in providing a safe place for children to express themselves
A guide for people who care about a family to help them provide the right support at the right time.
A guide for people who care about a family to help them provide the right support at the right time.
A storybook written for parents and carers to read with their children to help them understand what a tumour is and what treatment involves.
A storybook written for parents and carers to read with their children to help them understand what a tumour is and what treatment involves.
Simple tips to stay organised while on treatment: what other parents say. Parents have shared some practical tips to help you stay organised while your child is on treatment.
Simple tips to stay organised while on treatment: what other parents say. Parents have shared some practical tips to help you stay organised while your child is on treatment.
Men are encouraged to show strength and can’t say if you’re struggling, but how should a man behave when his child is diagnosed with cancer?
Men are encouraged to show strength and can’t say if you’re struggling, but how should a man behave when his child is diagnosed with cancer?
A destination des familles calédoniennes recevant des soins au service oncologie de l’hôpital des enfants de Westmead.
A destination des familles calédoniennes recevant des soins au service oncologie de l’hôpital des enfants de Westmead.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on us all. It’s brought many unexpected stressors that can affect our lives in different ways.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on us all. It’s brought many unexpected stressors that can affect our lives in different ways.
Redkite’s team of social workers share their tips for taking care of your mental health while facing childhood cancer and COVID-19.
Redkite’s team of social workers share their tips for taking care of your mental health while facing childhood cancer and COVID-19.
There are often a lot of questions about this time, and also a lot of decisions to be made.
There are often a lot of questions about this time, and also a lot of decisions to be made.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on us all. It’s brought many unexpected stressors that can affect our lives in different ways.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on us all. It’s brought many unexpected stressors that can affect our lives in different ways.
In this 3-minute video, we hear the experiences, feelings and opinions of bereaved parents who participated in a research study….
In this 3-minute video, we hear the experiences, feelings and opinions of bereaved parents who participated in a research study….
Parents have shared their top tips to help you communicate with your family and your child’s treatment team.
Parents have shared their top tips to help you communicate with your family and your child’s treatment team.
Homeschooling children with cancer is stressful which is intensified with the added fear surrounding COVID-19.
Homeschooling children with cancer is stressful which is intensified with the added fear surrounding COVID-19.
Isolation is one of the big changes almost everyone is experiencing in their lives right now. In times of stress, being disconnected from others can be particularly hard.
Isolation is one of the big changes almost everyone is experiencing in their lives right now. In times of stress, being disconnected from others can be particularly hard.
Resources KiteCrew App FAQs This guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the KiteCrew App. General Captains…
Resources KiteCrew App FAQs This guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the KiteCrew App. General Captains…
Resources KiteCrew App User Guide This guide is intended to provide basic user instructions on the key functionalities available in…
Resources KiteCrew App User Guide This guide is intended to provide basic user instructions on the key functionalities available in…
Resources myRedkite User Guide for families The myRedkite portal allows families to access the services they need, whenever they need…
Resources myRedkite User Guide for families The myRedkite portal allows families to access the services they need, whenever they need…
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, they enter often unfamiliar territory of appointments, tests, hospitals and treatments. You’ll have a team of medical professionals and support workers ready to help you navigate it, but sometimes it can be helpful to know more about what to expect.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, they enter often unfamiliar territory of appointments, tests, hospitals and treatments. You’ll have a team of medical professionals and support workers ready to help you navigate it, but sometimes it can be helpful to know more about what to expect.
Decisions made at the start of treatment can have long-term effects, so it’s a good idea to find out about treatment and fertility as early as possible.
Decisions made at the start of treatment can have long-term effects, so it’s a good idea to find out about treatment and fertility as early as possible.
When it comes to hospital and treatment centres, teenagers can be sent to either a children’s hospital or an adult facility.
When it comes to hospital and treatment centres, teenagers can be sent to either a children’s hospital or an adult facility.
The money saved in your superannuation fund is usually only available to you when you retire. However, in special circumstances some superannuation funds may allow you access to all or part of your super before you retire.
The money saved in your superannuation fund is usually only available to you when you retire. However, in special circumstances some superannuation funds may allow you access to all or part of your super before you retire.
During this pandemic, the devastation, sadness and isolation is shared globally, and we all ‘get it’ and can understand the impact. But when it comes to bereavement, sadly many people and communities don’t understand.
During this pandemic, the devastation, sadness and isolation is shared globally, and we all ‘get it’ and can understand the impact. But when it comes to bereavement, sadly many people and communities don’t understand.
Where does motivation come from, and how do we find it? We all kind of know what it is, but often it just seems like something that is missing
Where does motivation come from, and how do we find it? We all kind of know what it is, but often it just seems like something that is missing
Understanding and navigating Centrelink can be difficult and confusing. Below are some tips about Centrelink and other options that may be relevant to you and your family.
Understanding and navigating Centrelink can be difficult and confusing. Below are some tips about Centrelink and other options that may be relevant to you and your family.
Some insurances can be helpful in covering the cost of treatment or living expenses. This information covers accessing health insurance, income protection, trauma insurance, and travel insurance.
Some insurances can be helpful in covering the cost of treatment or living expenses. This information covers accessing health insurance, income protection, trauma insurance, and travel insurance.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Financial tips from parents and families for getting through their child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Managing medications, appointments, hospital visits, finances, work and the needs of other family members means there will be times when you feel overwhelmed.
Managing medications, appointments, hospital visits, finances, work and the needs of other family members means there will be times when you feel overwhelmed.
Being an advocate for your child who has cancer can be a hard role to navigate. Here are some steps you can take and tips from other parents.
Being an advocate for your child who has cancer can be a hard role to navigate. Here are some steps you can take and tips from other parents.
Well all know that nutrition plays a huge part in a child’s overall health and wellbeing but food often becomes a stressful part of daily life during treatment.
Well all know that nutrition plays a huge part in a child’s overall health and wellbeing but food often becomes a stressful part of daily life during treatment.
Childhood cancer: Managing strong emotions
Receiving a test result, reaching a new milestone or making a change in your child’s treatment can all bring about strong emotions, both positive and negative.
Childhood cancer: Managing strong emotions
Receiving a test result, reaching a new milestone or making a change in your child’s treatment can all bring about strong emotions, both positive and negative.
Some friends you can talk to about anything and everything, but it can still be hard to tell your friends you’ve been diagnosed with cancer
Some friends you can talk to about anything and everything, but it can still be hard to tell your friends you’ve been diagnosed with cancer
When your brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer, the world can suddenly become a very different place. Lots of things may change and you probably feel worried about your sibling, and maybe your family and yourself too.
When your brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer, the world can suddenly become a very different place. Lots of things may change and you probably feel worried about your sibling, and maybe your family and yourself too.
Parents go through a rollercoaster of emotions when their child is diagnosed with cancer. Below are some ideas on how you can support yourself and your family.
Parents go through a rollercoaster of emotions when their child is diagnosed with cancer. Below are some ideas on how you can support yourself and your family.
Understanding and navigating Centrelink when a child has cancer is difficult and confusing. Here are tips about Centrelink and other options that may be relevant to you and your family.
Understanding and navigating Centrelink when a child has cancer is difficult and confusing. Here are tips about Centrelink and other options that may be relevant to you and your family.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
No matter what the holiday season looks like for your family, here are some ideas that may help you through this time of year.
Where to next…