Back to school season is such a special time of the year. If you’re a parent to young children you can certainly feel a buzz in the air. The excitement among kids to buy school supplies, to enter a new classroom, meet old friends and make new ones, is palpable!
This year, I’m happy to see my daughter step into her new school season. But there’s also a deep sorrow that my son, Rishaan, never got to experience the ‘first day of school’ feeling. Last year, we were making plans for his pre-K enrolment since he was doing so well after his frontline treatment. But he relapsed soon after. He would have started kindergarten this year if brain cancer hadn’t cut his life short.
He enjoyed waving his sister goodbye as she left for school and walking with me to the bus stop to pick her up. I remember on one cold January morning during the six long weeks of radiotherapy, he quietly pointed out, “Rishaan (goes to) hospital, Didi (goes to) school.” I know he didn’t quite understand the “why” behind this difference because of his age. He thought that was perhaps the norm and was simply naming things as he saw it, but his words broke my heart for how cancer stole simple joys of a normal childhood from him.
For many children with cancer—those in treatment or navigating life after it—schooling can be complicated. Chemotherapy, hospital stays, and a lowered immune system can make regular attendance impossible. Yet even short visits to school during treatment breaks can bring a sense of normalcy. And when that’s not possible, having friends visit at home or in the hospital or even staying connected through FaceTime and social media can lift their spirits.
It can be challenging for children to go back to school after treatment finally ends. Visible changes like hair loss, surgery scars, feeding tubes, or hearing aids can make children anxious. That’s where understanding and support from parents, teachers and classmates matter so much. Simple gestures like a friend walking with them in the hallway or a “welcome back” sign in the classroom can help the child feel seen and embraced. It is vital for parents to keep teachers in the loop about child’s health and treatment side effects (especially those on development, cognition or learning), and advocate for accommodations to make the transition a smoother one.
At Tali’s Fund, we’re committed to helping oncology families face these challenges. That’s why we’ve partnered with Oliver’s Labels where 20% of every purchase made through our fundraising link goes toward supporting children with brain cancer and their families (https://www.oliverslabels.com/talisfund). These funds also help advance research into better childhood cancer treatments, so that more children can survive, thrive, and experience the joy of going to school.
Neha
References:
https://cancer.ca/en/living-with-cancer/your-child-has-cancer/coping-with-a-child-s-cancer/school