connect over cancer

CONNECT OVER CANCER
Fall 2025

For kids and teens navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer.

Ages 6-18 | Meets Weekly on Sundays, for 5 Weeks | Virtual
Connect Over Cancer is offered 4 times a year: Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer
Fall Cohort: September 28 - October 26
FREE
All are welcome

Connect Over Cancer is a proven activity-based peer support model for kids affected by a parent or guardian’s cancer. Kids and teens build relationships with peers who get them in a safe, supportive, fun environment online. They also learn about cancer in a developmentally appropriate way, an experience that’s proven to decrease stress, anxiety, and worry for kids whose parents have cancer.

These engaging, virtual group meetings are interactive, play, and art-based. Parents receive weekly prompts to help facilitate connection and conversation at home.

As part of a Connect Over Cancer group, your child will
💚 develop and practice coping skills
💚 create connections with peers who share their lived experience
💚 receive honest, age appropriate information about cancer

All groups are led by skilled Youth Facilitators who have backgrounds in areas such as Child Life, Social Work, and Nursing. They use a curriculum designed by our Chief Clinical Program Officer, Kelsey Mora, LCPC, CCLS, an expert in supporting families through illness and grief.

Please note:
We recommend families navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer start finding support with our 5-week virtual Connect Over Cancer program.

Fall enrollment deadline: Friday, September 5, 2025

Fall 2025 meeting dates

Weekly on Sunday for 5 Weeks
September 28
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26

Parents Say…

“For the first time in this process since my husband's diagnosis, my daughter has a support system and new friends that truly understand what she is going through. This has been a game-changer in her attitude and overall demeanor.”

“This group will make your child understand they aren’t alone. No pressure to share, but they can listen to others and know they aren’t alone.”

“<My child> seems to be talking about how their dad is feeling each day, with more ease and not just avoiding it completely.”

Pickles Kids Say…

“I liked being with kids my age and just having a safe space to talk <about stuff>.”

“I liked everything but what I loved most was hanging out with everyone knowing that I'm not alone.”

“ I learned that I don't have to carry everything in my backpack by myself. It's much easier if others could help me as well. As well as identifying that not EVERYTHING I'm worrying about is my responsibility.”

  • Connect Over Cancer meets every Sunday for 5 weeks from 1-2:30pm Pacific, 2-3:30pm Mountain, 3-4:30pm Central and 4-5:30pm Eastern.

  • The meetings are conducted virtually via Zoom.

  • There are 5 meetings total, for each Connect Over Cancer cohort. Youth should plan to attend every week to experience the full benefit of the program.

  • All Pickles Group programs are open to children ages 6-18 or in 1st-12th grade.

  • Meetings are facilitated by our skilled volunteer Youth Facilitators who have backgrounds in child development, education, Child Life, social work, and other youth-focused areas. They use a curriculum developed by Pickles Group Chief Clinical Officer, Kelsey Mora, CCLS, LCPC.

  • Each group varies - but there usually around 18-20 youth in one group at a given time.

  • All Pickles Group programs are 100% free! 

  • Before the session, help your child get set up in a quiet, private, and comfortable space. For younger kids, we recommend an adult stay for the first 5–10 minutes to assist with tech and ensure they're settled. Kids often feel most at ease sharing when they have space away from their parent or guardian. Parents receive prompts to support continued connection and conversation at home.

  • The groups are closed - meaning that the same, small, consistent group of Youth Facilitators and participants are at every meeting.

FAQs