Programs
Hopeful Hearts: Parents Supporting Parents
It’s okay to need help – grown-ups need care, too.
The Hopeful Hearts: Parents Supporting Parents Peer Mentor Program will provide compassionate, free, hospital-independent one-on-one peer mentorship to parents and guardians of pediatric cancer patients. We strive to bridge a gap in the pediatric cancer community by offering emotional support, shared experiences, and practical guidance from mentors who have personally navigated similar challenges.
Cancer Hope Network’s Hopeful Hearts Parents Supporting Parents program has officially launched its Peer Mentor recruitment phase, marking the start of a journey to provide compassionate support for families facing pediatric cancer. For over 40 years, Cancer Hope Network has connected patients and their loved ones with trained peer mentors. Our mentors offer not only empathy but also the lived experience of someone who has walked a similar path. They provide encouragement during moments of doubt, inspire resilience, and serve as a powerful reminder that life beyond cancer is possible.
With Hopeful Hearts, we extend this mission by training peer mentors who’ve navigated their own child’s cancer diagnosis and post-treatment survivorship.
Join this transformative initiative by becoming a Hopeful Hearts Peer Mentor today. We look forward to providing support to families beginning in Spring 2025.
To learn more, or if you have questions, please contact Katie Jenkins, LSW, MSW, Director, Hopeful Hearts: hopefulhearts@cancerhopenetwork.org
By fostering personalized connections, we empower parents with hope and encouragement, helping them to traverse the difficult journey of pediatric cancer with resilience and strength.
Become a Hopeful Hearts Peer Mentor
To become a Hopeful Hearts Peer Mentor volunteer, you must be the parent or guardian of a pediatric cancer survivor who has been at least one year out of active treatment.
As a mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to share your unique experiences, offer emotional support, and provide guidance to other parents and guardians who are navigating the challenges of their child’s cancer journey. Through free training, you’ll be equipped to offer understanding and compassion, helping others who are walking a similar path.
Your story is a powerful source of hope and strength, and by sharing it, you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others who need it most.
Ready to help others through their journey?
Click the button below to access a secure form where you can submit your request to become a Hopeful Hearts Peer Mentor and begin your path to supporting other families.
Hopeful Hearts Program
What is the Hopeful Hearts Program?
Cancer Hope Network’s Hopeful Hearts: Parents Supporting Parents is a free, one-on-one peer mentorship program specifically for parents and guardians of pediatric cancer patients. The program connects families with trained peer mentors who have gone through
a similar experience, providing emotional support, practical advice, and hope.
How do I sign up for the Hopeful Hearts Program?
Parents or guardians of pediatric and adolescent cancer patients (ages 0 – 18) can access support by completing the request form on Cancer Hope Network’s website. A member of the CHN Hopeful Hearts program team will respond promptly to begin the matching process.
Who are the mentors in the program?
CHN’s Hopeful Hearts peer mentors are parents or guardians of childhood and/or adolescent cancer survivors whose children are at least one year into post-treatment survivorship. All CHN peer mentors must complete Cancer Hope Network’s Hopeful Hearts training before being matched with support seekers.
What kind of support can I expect from my mentor?
CHN Hopeful Hearts peer mentors provide emotional support for parents or guardians navigating the challenges of caring for their child through a cancer experience. Our mentors draw from their own lived experiences to share best practices and empower parents to advocate for their child.
Can I become a mentor?
Yes! If you are a parent or guardian whose child is at least one year into post-treatment survivorship, you can apply to become a CHN Hopeful Hearts peer mentor.
Resources
Impact Stories
Voices of Hope: Uplifting Stories of Connection, Compassion, and Resilience
