Charities and organisations helping families
of children with cancer in Singapore
The childhood cancer landscape in Singapore is made up of various hospitals, charities and organisations. Each of us may have a different area of focus, but all of us collectively work towards helping children with cancer. When a child is first diagnosed with cancer, it may be challenging for families to navigate this broad landscape, on top of seeking the best treatment for your child. Hence, we hope this section helps to make your journey easier.
VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer primarily focuses on cancer medical care and cure through research and education. Here are the key charities and organisations which look after a variety of needs and could offer services that could help support your family.
Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF)
Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) is a Social Service Agency with a mission to improve the quality of life of children with cancer and their families through enhancing their emotional, social and medical well-being. Founded in 1992, CCF provides children with cancer and their families the much needed support in their battle against the life threatening illness. Over the years, CCF has helped more than 3,700 children and their families at different stages of the illness.
Services offered to children with cancer and their families include:
- Casework and Counselling
- Therapeutic Play
- Art Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Caregivers Support Services
- Back to School Support
- Tuition & Befriending
- Survivorship Programme
- Very Important Brothers and Sisters (VIBS)
- Social and Recreational Activities
- Financial Assistance
- Palliative & Bereavement Support
- Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS)
- Children Impacted by Cancer
Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP)
The BMDP manages Singapore’s only register of volunteer bone marrow donors. With just a 1 in 20,000 chance of finding a matching donor, BMDP is committed to growing the local donor register in order to help more children and patients suffering from terminal blood-related diseases like leukaemia to find a match that could give them that chance of survival.
Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB)
The SCBB is Singapore’s only non-profit public cord blood bank. SCBB was set up in response to a demand for unrelated donor umbilical cord blood for transplantation therapy by haematologists and paediatricians in Singapore. SCBB’s mission is to provide cord blood units of high safety and quality, through the practice of internationally accredited techniques of collection, processing, and banking, in order to support cord blood transplantation in Singapore and around the world.
Place for Academic Learning and Support (PALS)
PALS, which is CCF’s learning centre, is set up to prepare children recovering from cancer for a smooth transition back to mainstream school for Singaporeans and PRs. Located in the VIVA-CCF Hub, the PALS school allows children to study and play in an infection-controlled environment.
Arc Children’s Centre (Arc)
Arc supports children between the ages of 3-18 years with cancer and other life-threatening conditions. Arc accepts all children regardless of religion, race or culture. Arc aims to provide a sanctuary for the children’s continuing education, safety and bonding. Arc’s care also extends to the family and siblings as well, creating a haven of respite, comfort and support for affected families.
Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) (BTSS)
Newly formed in 2014, BTSS helps brain tumour patients, their families and caregivers through care groups, awareness raising, fund raising, and education for patients and their families.
Club Rainbow
Club Rainbow is a charity committed to providing comprehensive help to children who are suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their families.
- Emotional support
- Education help
- Social integration
- Financial assistance
- Information support
- Transport service
- Respite care
- Parent support groups
- Youth programs
- Family resource centres
Useful links to resources on childhood cancer research
Current Clinical Trials (St Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA)
Children's Cancer Research (The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA)
SIOP, the International Society of Paediatric Oncology
SIOP Education books (2010)
Other useful resources for parents
Union for International Cancer Control, UICC
International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations
International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations Members (incl. Asia such as Singapore, Japan)