When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are suddenly expected to manage medications, appointments, treatment decisions, family life, and overwhelming emotions, often all at once.
In this episode, we speak with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, pediatric cancer parent, advocate, and author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook, about the practical guidance she wishes every family received from day one. Laura shares powerful insights from her family’s journey after her three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She offers actionable guidance on child advocacy, trusting parental instincts, engaging siblings, and maintaining normalcy during treatment. Additionally, Laura explores strategies for helping children thrive post-treatment, providing crucial hope and support for families facing some of their hardest days.
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CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey.Mentioned on this episode:
- Dare to Dream
- PedAL trial
- Navigating Blood Cancer for Children and Teens
- The Cancer Parent’s Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn’t Have Time To Tell You
- Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
- Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Caregiver support
- Caregiver Workbook
Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:
- Information Specialists
- Free Nutrition Consultations
- Nutrition Handbook for Parents Free telephone/web patient programs
- Clinical Trial Support Center
- SHARE web series
- Online videos
- Free booklets
- Young Adult Resources
- Young Adult Online Chat
- Support groups
- Patient Community
- Medical Debt Case Management Program
- Financial support
- Survivorship Workbook
- Advocacy and Public Policy
- Mental Health Resources