Print helping children and teens cope with cancer in the family pathfinder
Books for parents and other adults
Books for children and teens
E-books
Patients and the public of B.C. and Yukon can access these online books by calling 1.888.675.8001 x 7000 (toll-free) to get a username and password from the Library.
Websites
These websites have been reviewed and approved by the BC Cancer librarians. See the "Looking for More?" tab above to find more recommended websites.
See our Coping with Grief and Loss pathfinder for websites to help children and teens coping with grief.
Children and Teens (BC Cancer)Information about talking with your children and teens and common questions they ask.
RipRap : When a Parent Has CancerThis website can help young people (ages 11-15) cope when a parent has cancer. There are stories from young people who have experienced having a parent with cancer and there is information and tips to help with understanding along the way.
Start the TalkA guide to supporting children and teens when a family member has cancer for educators, healthcare professionals and patients.
Support programs
This is a list of support programs offered by community organizations and BC Cancer. You can find more support programs offered at each BC Cancer centre and in the community on the BC Cancer website.
BC Cancer Patient & Family CounsellingAvailable to anyone in B.C. who has a cancer diagnosis, as well as those supporting them. Counselling available for individuals, couples, and families, either in-person or over the phone. Services are solution-focused and are limited to addressing challenges related to cancer.
Family Art Therapy Program (BC Cancer)Support is available for families who have a parent living with cancer. Therapy is targeted to families with kids who are about 3 – 16 years old. Support groups for people with cancer and their kids aged 5-9 and 10+. Support groups run for three weeks and are held on Zoom. Any family in BC can join.
BC Association of Clinical CounsellorsDirectory of clinical counsellors in private practice in BC. These are fee-based services. Click “child counselling” under the “Areas of Practice” if looking for counsellors offering services to children.
BC Association of Social WorkersDirectory of social workers in private practice in BC. These are fee-based services.
CancerConnection.caAn online community for cancer patients, caregivers, friends and family. A safe place to connect and find support. Regular webcasts are available on demand on a series of topics relevant to people with cancer including physical activity, relationships and complementary therapies.
Wellspring Children and Parents ProgramVirtual support program for families in which the parent has been diagnosed with cancer and the children are between the ages of 5 and 12. Offered via Zoom.
Wellspring Parents Support GroupVirtual program to support parents with dependent children in high school or younger. Offered via Zoom.
Community services locator
The Canadian Cancer Society community services locator is a directory that helps cancer patients, survivors, family and caregivers find the services they need.
Activity books for children
Pamphlets
BC Cancer Family Support HandoutsHelpful handouts include: Getting through : a guide for middle-school and high-school students when cancer affects the family; Talking with your children about a cancer diagnosis; Talking with your teen about a cancer diagnosis.
Resources found in these Pathfinders have been chosen and evaluated by BC Cancer librarians with input from other BC Cancer staff members. Suggestions for additional resources for inclusion are welcome; however, the Library reserves the final right to decide which websites and resources will be included. See our Inclusion/removal policy.
Resources are reviewed on a regular basis, however, the Library cannot guarantee the function, accuracy, or currency of the websites and the information contained within them.

The BC Cancer library system consists of a central library at Vancouver Centre (VC), and branches in Abbotsford (AC), Kelowna (SAHCSI), Prince George (CN), Surrey (FVC), and Victoria (VIC). All centres have patient resource collections in our Cancer Information Centres (CIC), and all centres have a professional collection on site. Professional resources for CN are housed in the adjacent UHNBC Library.