Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

Childhood Cancer Lantern
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A Small Miracle Foundation

Free Childcare for Cancer Patients

What you get

Up to 80 hours of free nanny care at home for a healthy child while a parent or sibling is in cancer treatment. Open now, but funds are limited, so ask early.

Who starts it
You, with a letter from your doctor
How it’s sent
Online, on their website
Your time
About 30 minutes, plus waiting for the letter
Last checked
Aug 27, 2026

Before you start, check you fit

  • Your child is 18 or under.
  • The care is for a healthy child; it does not pay your existing childcare bill.
  • A healthy child must need care; this is not general payment for existing childcare.

  1. Ask your doctor for the letterStart here. This is the part that takes the longest.

    A Small Miracle Foundation needs a letter from your doctor. Copy this message, or say it in person at the next visit.

    Hi [doctor’s name],

We’d like to apply to A Small Miracle Foundation’s Free Childcare for Cancer Patients. Up to 80 hours of free nanny care at home for a healthy child while a parent or sibling is in cancer treatment. They are taking applications now while funds last.

They need a letter from you confirming [child’s name]’s diagnosis and our situation. Their form and instructions are here: https://www.childcareforcancerpatients.org/programs-services

Could you write that when you have a chance? I can send you the link, or bring a printout to our next visit. Thank you for everything you do for us.

[your name] · [phone]
    Copying is the only thing this page does with your text. Nothing is saved.

  2. Fill in their applicationIt is on their website.

    Open their application ↗ Checked Aug 27, 2026

    What the form asks for

    Applicant and Contact Information
    Applicant First and Last NameApplicant Date of BirthApplicant Phone NumberApplicant Email AddressApplicant Physical Address (CITY & ZIP INCLUDED)Is this the location childcare will take placePartner, Spouse or Emergency Contact Name & RelationshipPartner/Emergency Contact Phone NumberCan A Small Miracle Foundation Contact this person
    Children and Childcare Needs
    Name and Date of Birth for all children in the homePlease tell us a little about your childrenWhat are the general days/times you will be needing childcare
    Cancer and Care Team Information
    Name of Social Worker, Nurse Navigator or OncologistSocial Worker, Nurse, or Oncologist Phone NumberSocial Worker, Nurse or Oncologist EmailName and DOB of person with active cancer diagnosisWhat is the cancer diagnosisTell us about the treatment plan
    Demographics and Additional Information
    Race/ Ethnicity *** This is only used for demographic reporting. This information is not used in determining eligibility for servicesAny other information you would like to provide
    Service-Limit Acknowledgment
    By typing your name, you acknowledge ASMF services are limited and cannot replace full-time or long-term childcare. All approvals and additional hours are based on caseloads at any given time

  3. Submit it on their websiteSend the letter with your application, or the way they ask.

    • Submit the live Microsoft form after the applicant reviews all required answers and types their own name for the service-limit acknowledgment.

After you send

ASMF reviews applications weekly, and the FAQ says approval usually takes one week after ASMF receives the application and provider treatment notes. If treatment notes or status are unclear, email asmf@childcareforcancerpatients.org; the public site does not publish a separate status portal or treatment-note delivery address. If you have not heard back by then, write and ask.

Full record, as published