Puneet Sharma, Cancer Survivor, Founder of Cancer24x7, shared on LinkedIn:
“When Cancer Takes a Life, Who Stands Beside the Family Left Behind?
Today, I received a phone call that left me speechless.
A Cancer24x7 member called me. Her friend’s 6-year-old child had passed away after fighting cancer for two years.
She said, “It’s very difficult to see the condition of the parents. Do you know of any support group or place that can help families who have lost a child to cancer?”
I didn’t know what to say.
Later that day, I saw a WhatsApp status about a single mother who had lost her 23-year-old son to cancer. Our community had also supported her by helping raise funds for his treatment.
It made me think…
When someone is going through cancer, so many people come forward to help. Doctors, nurses, hospitals, NGOs, support groups, volunteers, and even strangers contribute in every way they can.
But what happens when treatment doesn’t save a life?
Who helps the family then?
As a breast cancer survivor and Founder of Cancer24x7, I have seen how powerful community support can be during treatment.
But today I realized that families who lose a loved one may also need someone to stand by them, listen to them, and help them cope with their grief.
I truly believe that support after loss should also be a part of cancer care.
I’m reaching out to everyone working in healthcare, NGOs, mental health, patient support, and the cancer community.
Do you know of any support groups or organizations that help families after they lose a loved one to cancer?
If you do, please share them in the comments so more families can find help.
And if such support is still missing, perhaps it’s time for us to build it together.
Because care shouldn’t end when treatment does.”
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