Resources
How can Redkite help you?
Redkite exists to support you and your family face the challenges caused by childhood cancer. But how do we do that?
Those who have not experienced childhood cancer often aren’t aware of how it affects every part of life: your emotional and mental wellbeing, your career, your finances and your relationships. The reason Redkite exists is to support families through what may be the toughest time of your lives. But how do we do that?
Here are the four areas where Redkite can help:
Empowerment
When your child is diagnosed with cancer, you are thrust into a completely new, overwhelming and unknown world. Redkite empowers families with the information you need to navigate childhood cancer, resources and tools to better support yourself and your family, including the iconic Red Bag, free educational books to help you tackle common challenges, and someone to talk to, to help you recognise and use your strengths, have confidence in your decision making and believe in your ability to face the challenges that cancer throws at you.
Emotional & Mental Wellbeing
A child’s cancer can impact everyone’s mental health – yourself, your partner, your children, your friends, and loved ones. Redkite’s emotional and mental wellbeing supports, including counselling support from our social work team, and music therapy, have been created specifically to tackle the complexities of childhood cancer. They help both adults and kids alike feel heard and understood, adjust to changes in life, be able to participate in activities that are important in your lives, and reduce stress, distress, and anxiety.
I was going to bed crying, because I didn’t want to put any pressure on the kids. I then joined a Dads Connect Group. It was good to catch up with others in the same situation. I was keeping a lot of things inside. Now, I have learned to speak more
Financial Resilience & Wellbeing
Cancer is sudden and unexpected, and something no one saves up for. There are unexpected costs associated with cancer for most families, whether that’s hospital parking, time off work, giving up your job completely, or renting somewhere closer to hospital. Redkite ensures families are better able to manage the financial impacts of childhood cancer through financial assistance for everyday expenses, like putting food on the table and fuel in the car, scholarships to build strong education and developmental foundations, and tools and resources to help you manage your finances. Our social work team can also help you identify practical ways to improve your financial situation, connect you to financial counselling and advisor professionals and also advocate on your behalf with organisations like Centrelink or your bank.
Connection
Families can often feel isolated from their family, friends, and the community throughout their child’s cancer. Redkite can help you connect with other families going through similar experiences via our Connect Groups and our social work team can help you identify how to stay connected with family and friends and also connect you to other organisations that can support you. Our goal is to help you feel less alone and part of a community that understands.
These four areas form Redkite’s Outcomes Framework for families, which ensures Redkite’s programs focus on improving the overall quality of life for everyone affected by childhood cancer.
Request information & support
We’re ready to help. Please call us on 1800 REDKITE (Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm AEST), or fill out the form below.
Related resources
Childhood cancer: A mother’s perspective
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: A mother’s perspective
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.
Telling people your child has cancer
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
Telling people your child has cancer
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
Other childhood cancer support services
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
Other childhood cancer support services
A list of childhood cancer support services in Australia
Managing family relationships
Going through cancer treatment can lead to some very positive experiences in relationships, but the stress can also cause immense strain.
Managing family relationships
Going through cancer treatment can lead to some very positive experiences in relationships, but the stress can also cause immense strain.
