Family Programs

ACFC offers a place where kids with cancer can be kids. Having a child with cancer can be very isolating for the entire family. Inside our 12,000 square foot facility we offer families an escape from cancer. When families visit ACFC they are offered 3 pillars of support to families who have a child battling cancer; social, emotional and financial.

Social

The Education Center

is dedicated to providing academic support, resources, and advocacy for pediatric cancer patients and their school-age siblings. Services offered will include tutoring, educational advocacy, and school reintegration support.

Toy Store

is a special space designed to bring joy and comfort to cancer warriors and their siblings. Filled with a variety of toys, games, and activities, the toy store provides children undergoing treatment with an opportunity to choose items that bring them happiness.

The Paint Splatter Room

is a vibrant and interactive space designed to ignite creativity and bring joy to the entire family. Families are encouraged to unleash their imagination and creativity as they dip brushes into buckets of paint and splatter vibrant colors. The experience is not only therapeutic but also empowers children to embrace their artistic abilities and express themselves in a fun and uninhibited manner.

The Imagination Station Play Area

is an engaging space designed to spark creativity, exploration, and joy for cancer warriors and their siblings. From sensory stations and hands-on learning activities to pretend play zones and interactive games, the Imagination Station offers a variety of experiences to engage children of all ages and interests.

The Family Room

is a warm and inviting space designed to provide comfort, support, and respite for cancer warriors and their families.

The Teen Center

is a dynamic and inviting space designed specifically for teenage warriors and their siblings to connect, relax, and engage in age-appropriate activities; complete with lounge seating, gaming consoles, board games, and other recreational activities tailored to the interests of teenagers.

Baxter’s Kitchen

is a warm and welcoming space designed to provide nourishment, comfort, and support for warriors and their families. The kitchen is equipped with seating for 40 people to be served buffet style. Families can take pre-made meals home to provide convenience and peace of mind.

The Pantry

is a vital resource that provides essential household items and groceries to families in need during their cancer journey. Stocked with a variety of pantry staples, toiletries, and household essentials, the Family Pantry offers families access to items that help alleviate financial burdens and ensure their basic needs are met.

The Art Studio

is a creative and nurturing space designed to inspire artistic expression, promote healing, and provide therapeutic support to cancer warriors and their families. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpting, or engaging in other creative activities, the studio provides a therapeutic outlet for children to process their emotions, reduce stress, and find moments of joy and inspiration amidst their cancer journey.

Events

Birthday Parties: we believe that every child deserves to celebrate their special day, even while undergoing cancer treatment. These parties provide an opportunity for families to create cherished memories and celebrate milestones despite the challenges they may be facing.

End-of-treatment Celebrations: are a joyous occasion that marks the completion of a child’s cancer treatment journey. These parties include music, food, entertainment, and special activities to commemorate this significant milestone and honor the bravery of the cancer warrior.

Special Events: ACFC hosts various special events throughout the year to support, encourage, and enjoy pediatric cancer patients and their families. These events include holiday celebrations, arts and crafts workshops, parent date nights, and more.

Emotional

Counseling

is a crucial support service that provides emotional and psychological support to cancer warriors, their siblings, and parents/caregivers. Our counseling services are provided by licensed mental health professionals who specialize in working with children and families affected by cancer.

K9 Therapy

program features specially trained therapy dogs, such as Leo, ACFC’s in house therapy dog, and his furry volunteer friends, who visit our facility to provide emotional support and companionship to cancer warriors and their siblings.

The Calming and Respite Room

The Respite Room is a peaceful and comforting space designed to offer relaxation, rejuvenation, and respite to parents/caregivers. The room is thoughtfully furnished with state-of-the-art massage chairs, soft lighting, and soothing decor, creating a calming environment where parents and caregivers can take a break from the stresses of treatment and appointments.

The Wellness Program

is a holistic and supportive program designed to promote the overall well-being of cancer warriors, their siblings, and parents/caregivers. We offer a variety of services and activities aimed at supporting physical, emotional, and mental wellness, including sound bowl therapy, meditation, yoga, and wellness events.

Financial

Financial Support

is a critical program that aims to alleviate the financial strain on families by providing assistance with a variety of expenses related to cancer treatment. This support may include covering costs such as medical bills, hospital stays, medication expenses, transportation costs for treatment, and other out-of-pocket expenses that families may encounter during their child’s cancer journey.

End-Of-Life Financial Support

is a compassionate program designed to alleviate the financial burdens faced by families during the challenging time of caring for a child nearing the end of their life. Our end-of-life financial support program supports families in various ways, including medical and funeral expenses, counseling and support services.

  • You have given us so much hope, togetherness, and ability to take a deep breath. We cannot thank you enough for all the support you have offered for our entire family. Thank you for blessing us, Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children.

    Raul, Sofia’s Dad
  • Whenever we are at ACFC we have so much fun and feel so loved. The girls love their time with Leo and the fact that all my kids get to shop in the boutique is priceless. Thank you for always serving us a warm meal and just being there for us. We love how much you care.

    John, Luke’s Dad
  • Life doesn’t stop when you receive a cancer diagnosis. It’s like everything is thrown at you at the same time. Having financial assistance from ACFC made a huge difference in just being able to live with integrity. With the help of ACFC, we didn’t have to put up our house for sale. We were able to give everything we had to help our daughter and then some because of ACFC.

    Maria, MJ’s Mom
  • Thank you for the generosity, love, and compassion you showed to our family this past year. This journey is HARD and to know someone wrapped their arms around us during a difficult time… we are grateful! A thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.

    Janette, Josie’s Mom
  • I just want to thank you again for everything!! You guys really went above and beyond for us as usual. We are so grateful for you and the organization. We will definitely be seeing you again to give back. You put on the best party ever to celebrate no more chemo!!!

    Kimberly, Veronica’s Mom
  • Thank you again for such an amazing night last night. I totally cried out tears of gratitude last night as they were all doing a fashion show for me. So, thank you so so much for all that you have done for our entire family!!

    Laura, Elizabeth’s Mom
  • The kids and families we serve are extremely vulnerable. I’m amazed by the level on individualized support each child and family receives.

    Justin Dufour, Managing Partner, Desert Cove Recovery, ACFC Board of Directors
  • When we offer financial assistance to families who need to repair a car, pay rent, or provide for funeral services, I feel deeply gratified to be a part of this organization.

    Ben Hayes, President, Freestone Insurance Group, ACFC Board of Directors
  • Everyone loves the boutique, a pace where kids with cancer can be kids. Children of all ages can pick out toys, games, books, and even bicycles to take home with them. Most of our families never get to experience anything like this. It’s pure sunshine!

    Jen Mackay, Board of Directors
  • One of the greatest gift Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children brings to families is creating community among those who are going through the same nightmare. It’s important to give them a place where they can be together and interact.

    Bill Finch, United CRE Partners LLC, ACFC Board of Directors
  • When I heard Chrisie speak at an event, I knew I wanted to be a part of the ACFC team. Helping the team is part of my ‘job’ but seeing the results of our labor — the joy and energy of the children and their families when participating in events and classes — is a privilege.

    Fran Reich, Volunteer