Childhood Cancer Canada asks for $15 million from feds as demand grows – National

A Canadian pediatric cancer charity is calling on the federal government to provide more financial support to families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment.

The foundation has seen demand for its financial support programs increase by 40 percent over the past two years, but says government funding has not kept pace.

“It’s time to take action, talk to our parliamentary leaders and ensure families experiencing this crisis get help,” said Kyle Smith of Childhood Cancer Canada.

The charity is asking Ottawa for $15 million in the next federal budget to maintain the programs, while also seeking changes to tax credits and employment insurance requirements to provide better support to families facing childhood cancer.

About 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada, according to the charity.

For many families, a diagnosis can mean parents leave work or reduce their hours to become full-time caregivers, creating financial stress that can continue long after the child’s treatment ends.

Smith said many parents caring for children with cancer are under 40, meaning being out of work could have a long-term impact on their finances.

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“There was no RRSP built up, no other benefits,” he said, adding that decades later, “their retirement was impacted, their retirement funds or children’s education was impacted.”

For the Masikewich family, the pressure came after their daughter Sloane was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in May 2023.

Treatment and a weakened immune system meant that Sloane was unable to attend Class 1 completely, while Classes 2 and 3 were disrupted by trips to the hospital.

“It was really hard not being at school and not being able to see my friends, but I enjoyed the time I spent with my mom and dad in the hospital,” said Sloane.

This school year marks an important milestone for the family.

“This is the first year he hasn’t had to undergo treatment, and it’s been amazing for our family and for Sloane,” said his mother, Claire Masikewich.

Claire said families already facing their child’s cancer diagnosis should not have to face increased financial pressures.

“Additional financial stress to families on top of what you are already experiencing is unnecessary,” he said.

Childhood Cancer Canada raises awareness, funds research and provides support to families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis.

The organization says financial stability is critical because it allows parents to focus on caring for their children during treatment.

In addition to its $15 million funding request, the charity is calling for policy changes involving tax credits and EI requirements to provide more direct support to affected families.

For Sloane, not undergoing treatment would mean returning to a childhood disrupted by cancer.

“I got to hang out with my friends, and I met all my new classmates,” he said.

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