Coping with Loss as a Family
“When we found out that Sam’s cancer was terminal, I started seeing a therapist,” says Elizabeth. “And I still meet with her most weeks for the opportunity to talk to someone one-on-one and share.” Elizabeth has also found comfort in regular morning runs with her group of friends where they talk and share support.
Sam’s sister Charlotte also has a supportive network of friends and community through her school, where Sam also attended. “They really rallied around Charlotte, as well,” says Elizabeth.
Edmarc, a local home health and hospice organization for children, which provided care for Sam, has a bereavement program that offers several supports, including an intern who is available to meet with Charlotte. “That gives us great comfort that she can talk with her,” says Elizabeth. “Therapy is not for everyone and it’s not for her at this point, but she knows it is always an option.”
Jim and Elizabeth attend a bereavement group for parents who have lost a child to cancer at the oncology clinic at their local Children’s Hospital. “That is helpful in the sense that the folks all have gone through a similar kind of cancer battle,” she says.
Another way the family is coping with their loss is by honoring his memory. Sam wanted to leave a legacy at his school, which he attended since first grade. “Sam established a financial aid fund at his school. That is the other way that we are remembering Sam,” says Jim.
“We had talked about what he wanted his legacy to be for about 12 months. We really wanted to honor him. He always talked about his school and making sure that other kids who cannot afford it can attend.”
Grief and Coping Resources for Families
The below resources can help families who are processing the loss of a family member to osteosarcoma. While the Osteosarcoma Institute is primarily a research institute, we recognize and honor the deep grief of losing a loved one and hope these resources can aid families in their healing journey. Explore The Frontline for personal stories of individuals and families who have lost loved ones to osteosarcoma.
A Memory Grows
This charitable organization’s mission is “to provide a space of healing and peace for parents who are grieving the death of their child. By bringing together those who have experienced a similar loss in a retreat setting we honor and celebrate our children while making connections with others who truly understand our journey. A memory grows where love carries on.”
The Compassionate Friends
A support group network with over 500 chapters in the United States, The Compassionate Friends supports bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents by providing a venue to share experiences with other grieving families.
Courageous Parents Network
Courageous Parents Network was created to share programs, including Education, Community, and Advocacy, to “offer parents the information, skills, tools and virtual support they need during their child’s illness journey, so as to make the impossible possible.”
Dougy Center
The mission of Dougy Center is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. This nonprofit is the world’s first peer-to-peer grief support program for children.
Grief Haven
This unique resource’s mission includes providing current, effective grief support tools to all who have lost a loved one, educating the public about grief and the grief journey, and aligning closely with grief researchers to better understand this emotion.
GriefShare
GriefShare is a grief ministry that organizes 13-week grief and loss support groups through local churches throughout the U.S., either in-person or online. The program includes recorded video curriculum, a workbook, and guided discussions.
MIB Agents — Healing Hearts
MIB Agents is an osteosarcoma nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients, families, and practitioners with research, education, and programs. Healing Hearts is MIB’s “multi-faceted bereavement program of group sessions, wellness sessions, and retreats for parents and siblings of OsteoAngels.”
What’s Your Grief?
This nonprofit’s mission is to “promote grief education, exploration, and expression in both practical and creative ways.” Resources include information related to understanding and coping with grief and loss, online courses about grief and supporting someone who is grieving, a podcast about grief, and a supportive community.
Zach’s Bridge
This national nonprofit focuses on helping to “ease the journey by providing parents and caregivers with connection, compassion, and support.” Trained peers are matched with support seekers to listen and engage in thoughtful conversation, shared experiences, and curated resources. The organization was named for Zack Wall, an osteosarcoma patient.
Advancing Osteosarcoma Advocacy
Advancing treatment for other osteosarcoma patients can be a powerful way to keep alive the memory of a loved one. The OSI offers several avenues for advocacy. Browse more ways to get involved.
- Partnering for Progress: The OSI establishes partnerships with like-minded families and foundations looking to co-fund osteosarcoma research studies and trials. The OSI can help make the act of raising funds in honor of a loved one easier by handling many of the logistics.
- OSI Board of Ambassadors: Formed in 2023, the OSI Board of Ambassadors focuses on accelerating the OSI’s efforts in bringing new treatments to osteosarcoma patients by developing strategic relationships and fundraising opportunities.
