connect over cancer

Free virtual program or kids and teens navigating a parent or guardian’s cancer.

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.

Register for Connect Over Cancer

Fall enrollment deadline: Monday, September 28

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, and receive honest, age appropriate information about cancer

For kids ages 6–18, with participants grouped by age

Groups meet on Sundays over 5 weeks

Offered 4 times a year in Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer.

“It was especially helpful for [my son] to feel and know that there were other kids going through the same kind of experiences, and to be able to ask questions anonymously about cancer, questions that him and other children didn't feel comfortable asking their cancer patient parents.”

-Christine Lagos, Pickles Parent
Diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in January 2021

Group Facilitation

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

Fall 2026 Meeting Dates & Themes

4-5:30pm ET | 3-4:30pm CT 2-3:30pm MT | 1-2:30pm PT

October 18 Connecting & Belonging: Getting to know each other
October 25 Shared Experiences: What brings us together
November 1 Understanding Cancer & Treatment: Learning together
November 8 Emotions & Coping Skills: How it feels and what we can do about it
November 15 Reflection & Going Forward: Hope, gratitude, and see you soon

Registration Tips

New Pickles Families

Please complete the Youth Registration Form and select Connect Over Cancer to receive program information and supplies.

Returning Pickles Families

Please email contact@picklesgroup.org to receive a separate registration link.

“Attending the meetings took away that feeling of isolation, the feeling of ‘being the only kid in the world’ who has a parent experiencing cancer.”

-Aarohi, Pickles Kid
Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024

  • 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.

If you have additional questions about our programs, we are happy to talk to your family. Please email Cam Dews, Pickles Group Program Director, at cameryn@picklesgroup.org.