Childhood Cancer Survivor Creates Charitable Legacy Working With Her Childhood Social Worker

*CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / May 9, 2023 / *Childhood cancer survivor Carie Stock started Helping Families Handle Cancer in 2008, based on her family's experience through her childhood diagnosis and treatment. Carie's story has come full circle in recent years as she regularly collaborates with the Social Workers at the Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH) to support childhood cancer families. Of special note is the close working relationship Carie has with Wendy Pelletier at the Alberta Children's Hospital, who was Carie's childhood Social Worker when she battled cancer from the age of 13 months old until 7 years old. Carie is currently 38 years old and has committed the last 15 years to Helping Families Handle Cancer.

When Carie was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer and given only a 10% chance of survival, Carie's Mom (Robyn) was immediately put in touch with a Social Worker at the hospital named Wendy. The support Robyn received from Wendy enabled her to navigate being a single Mom and having a critically ill child.

Robyn and Carie pictured at the Alberta Children's Hospital

As Helping Families Handle Cancer gave out their one millionth dollar of financial support to a childhood cancer family, Carie found herself reflecting on the impactful influence Wendy had had on her life. From being Carie's own Social Worker to now having the privilege to work with Wendy to ensure families have support in their own journeys. "It is very special to take what was a terrible experience and make it better for families while working alongside someone you deeply admire".

*For a media opportunity to capture Carie at Helping Families Handle Cancer deliver grocery and fuel gift cards along with essential medical thermometers to the Alberta Children's Hospital as part of their Care Program with Wendy, please reach out to the contact us below:*

*INTERVIEWS*

Carie Stock
*Executive Director*
*Helping Families Handle Cancer*
Cell: 403-850-5477
carie@helpingfamilies.ca

Wendy Pelletier
*Oncology Social Worker*
*Alberta Children's Hospital*
Office: 403-955-7277
wendy.pelletier@albertahealthservices.ca

*ABOUT HELPING FAMILIES HANDLE CANCER*

Helping Families Handle Cancer is a not-for-profit organization that strives to alleviate some of the stress of childhood cancer by providing financial support to families in need, due to the time commitment at the hospital, in caring for their child. The Helping Families Care Program purchases items such as parking passes, medical supplies, medication not covered through benefits, rent, fuel, groceries, and other household bills that families are struggling to pay for as they take time away from work to be with their child during this critical time. To date, Helping Families has helped over 1,900 families at the Alberta Children's Hospital with over $1 million in financial support, giving more precious time with their little warrior! In 2022, Helping Families Handle Cancer expanded its Care Program to include a Palliative and Bereavement Care Program which financially supports families with a child who is not going to survive their cancer diagnosis.

*ABOUT WENDY PELLETIER MSW, RSW*

Wendy has worked at the Alberta Children's Hospital for over 39 years. She is a Social Worker for Oncology, Hematology, Blood & Marrow Transplant, Immunology Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology Cumming School of Medicine, and University of Calgary. Wendy is the winner of the 2000 Social Worker of the Year Award, 2016 Lifetime Contribution Award, 2018 Outstanding Clinical Care Award, and 2022 Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal for significant contributions to Alberta. She is heavily involved in research through the Children's Oncology Group and other grants through pediatric oncology stakeholders both locally and internationally. Wendy is loved by the countless families that she has supported through the Alberta Children's Hospital.

*SOURCE:* Helping Families Handle Cancer
View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/753638/Childhood-Cancer-Survivor-Creates-Charitable-Legacy-Working-With-Her-Childhood-Social-Worker