When Cancer Affects the Whole Family

July 9, 2026

A cancer diagnosis can turn a patient’s world upside down — and their family’s too. Schedules are adjusted, emotional stress is high, and relatives become caregivers.

But there’s one change that is often overlooked — financial changes. Just as a plethora of new medical bills enter the picture, many patients and caregivers have to leave their jobs to keep up with treatment schedules, making it harder for families to keep up with expenses, from daily needs like groceries to moments of joy like family traditions.

Meet Liam’s family

Liam was just two years old when he was diagnosed with a high-risk neuroblastoma, requiring multiple types of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, stem cell transplants, and surgery. His health became his family’s top priority, and his parents were determined to do absolutely everything they could to get him the best care.

Amanda, Liam’s mom, took a leave of absence from nursing school to be by her son’s side every step of the way. Liam’s dad Ethan took on a reduced work schedule to care for their other three children, including a one-year-old baby boy, while Amanda was at the hospital with Liam.

“During Liam’s long out-of-state stays for his transplant, my husband and I both stayed with him the whole time. Neither of us could work during these long admissions,” shared Amanda, Liam’s mom.

During that time, Amanda and Ethan were separated from their other children for over a month. Their social worker connected them with Family Reach right before the holidays, helping them celebrate the season and reuniting as a family — a much-needed moment of joy during a difficult year.

“We got home from transplant the day before Christmas. I think my favorite holiday memory is just being all together again with all the kids. Family Reach made it possible for us to give our kids a happy Christmas with multiple gifts,” Amanda explained.

Thankfully, the treatments were effective, and Liam’s cancer has stabilized. The family is still navigating the physical and financial side effects of treatment, and is looking forward to creating new memories together.

“Liam was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease as well as severe hearing loss from the treatments. We still travel back and forth for multiple appointments a month for Liam’s kidney disease, and audiology and speech therapy. We are just trying to process all the trauma we have been through as a family in the past 18 months and make up for all the lost time we will never get back with our other kids.”

Relief for the whole family

Support from Family Reach doesn’t just help the patient in treatment — it brings relief to parents who’ve sacrificed everything, relatives who’ve become a support network, and children trying to understand why their lives are suddenly different.

For Liam’s family, support looked like a holiday celebration. For others, it can be a warm meal on the table, securing a reliable ride to treatment, learning the right questions to ask their care team, paying an overdue utility bill, finding caregiver reimbursement programs, and more.

Through financial assistance, resource navigation, and education materials, our Financial Resource Center serves as a hub for patients and caregivers looking for financial help with cancer costs. With over 200,000 resources available, families can find the right support for their circumstances, no matter what challenges the diagnosis brings. This ability to meet patients exactly where they are is what makes Family Reach a top cancer cost help organization.

You can help more families like Liam’s

At Family Reach, we hear from families like Liam’s every day looking for relief. Your donation can be the reason they can afford to fill their gas tank, find a food pantry in their neighborhood, or focus on their loved one’s health instead of bills.

Because cancer is hard enough.

Give hope.