Grandparents & Other Relatives

Dear Friends,

As the grandparent or relative of a child with cancer, we know how hard the journey can be. One thing that’s often most difficult for parents, grandparents and other relatives is to meet the differing needs of each of the other children – the brothers and sisters of the child with cancer. SuperSibs! recognized this need and have filled this section of our site with resources for you – the special grandparents and relatives of SuperSibs! kids.

Our goal is to provide a starting point of ideas, tips, conversation starters, and support methods for your “super siblings” as they manage through their own unique cancer journey. We know cancer is frightening and unpredictable… yet at the same time, you can play a key role in helping siblings “redefine” this journey – finding ways to share hope and laughter, feel strength and courage – and come together as a family.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everyone in the family needs healing. At SuperSibs!, our goal is to do all we can to support these “shadow survivors”– so they can heal, emotionally, as well. Please use our website to help your family fight cancer together.

With hugs and hope,
Your friends at SuperSibs!

Grandparent Voices

“Upon hearing of our grandson's cancer, we immediately drove 450 miles to be available in whatever way possible. We tried to relieve the parents, allowing them to get out of the hospital to spend time with our other grandchild. Sometimes we'd split up, one with our sick grandchild, the other with the well one, trying our best to amuse and distract him.”
- Selma, SuperSib Grandmother

“Walking in the ½ marathon as a member of Team SuperSibs! was a wonderful experience, specially since Gloria and I could do this together. She’s gone through so much over these years as her brother has fought cancer. This was something special we could do together to help other kids like her.”
- Betty, SuperSib Grandmother

“We were deeply saddened and troubled by our little grandson's suffering and the frightful threat to his life, and by the suffering of his parents and littler brother. During the crisis period, we did whatever we could to help, including entertaining our four year-old sibling grandson, trying to distract him from the medical tumult surrounding his brother. We knew that as a sibling, he was stressed by the situation, but only in recent years have we realized the severity of that stress, from which he is making a great recovery.”
- Bob, SuperSib Grandfather

“Just knowing that Spencer was being cared for by his doting grandparents was such relief in my heart. I just needed to know he was safe and happy while I had to be at the hospital. This was the best grandparent gift ever.” - Melanie, SuperSib Mom