Supporting Families with Childhood Cancer: What Not to Say

The following is an excerpt from an article originally shared by Oprah Daily from their Women Who Start Things Series. As told to writer Rosie Hopegood by our co-founder Gretchen Witt.

What Not to Say

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many families who have a child with cancer, and we’ve all experienced the insensitive things people say. Mostly, I think people are trying to kind of suss out the situation to make sure that this isn’t something that could happen to them. These are a few real examples:

1) Did you or your spouse pass it on to your child through a family history?

2) Have you prayed for your child to be healed?

3) Is there something you did during pregnancy to make this happen?

4) I know someone who had cancer who died.

5) Is your child going to survive?

6) I know what you’re going through.

7) God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.

8) Does he know what’s going on?

9) Your child died, so why are you still involved in pediatric cancer?

Use This Simple Phrase Instead

People would ask these things in front of our son Liam, and I would think, Do you not see this little boy who’s aware of what you’re saying? - If you know someone with a child with cancer and are lost for words, try something simple, like “I don’t know what to say, but my heart is with you, and I hate that you’re going through this.”

_____________________________________________

Would you like to share something you've heard as a parent of a child with cancer or offer a more helpful phrase to those who might not know what to say? Leave a comment below.

Click HERE to read more about our co-founders' son Liam Witt and the genesis of Cookies for Kids' Cancer.

Want a sweet way to share the message of why Cookies for Kids' Cancer exists? Send Cookies. 100% of the proceeds will help fund childhood cancer research.