Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

Mama Bears would be honored if you would consider donating to Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer on Giving Tuesday!

What We Do and Who You Are Helping!

Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer delivers Hospital Wagons and Clinic Carts to Northern California Children’s Hospitals. We receive referrals from social workers or other parents living in the hospital with their child. Our hospitals include Stanford, Kaiser Oakland, Kaiser Roseville, UC Davis, Sutter Health, and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland and San Francisco. We started delivering wagons and carts in December 2022 and have thus far delivered 170 units. Each of these seven hospitals has reported diagnosing between 100 and 200 children annually. The wagons include a mattress topper for mom or dad to have something soft to lay on top of the hard recliner, a mini fridge to store snacks and drinks, a Roku and soundbar for streaming favorite shows and movies, a silk pillowcase for tender heads experiencing hair loss, a bathroom kit, a weekly pill dispenser, a cooler bag with cooler pack, a weekender bag, a market bag, a notebook and pen, our plush teddy bear, room decorations, and a bed caddy to stay organized. The wagon costs $500, and the clinic cart is $350, which is filled with some of the same items to help get through long exhausting days at the outpatient clinic.

The goal of Mama Bears is to ensure that no parent walks this journey alone and is immediately and sustainably supported with resources throughout their child’s cancer treatment journey.

In addition to the wagon and cart, we provide a community support group for the parents/caregivers through a private chat. I would like to share two testimonials, one from a current mama bear and one from a social worker who sees firsthand what our organization is providing to these families.

From the parent, “You all literally saved me from going into a dark tunnel when I was alone, scared, and confused. The wagon with all the goodies and the friends I’ve made through all of you is what has been keeping me sane. I wouldn’t be here right now celebrating my son’s progress without all of you. I know I don’t physically know all of you but I know that I love you all.“

From the social worker: “Parents often tell me about the wonderful support they receive through Mama Bears. They speak of feeling part of a community that understands their cancer journey with their child, in a way they have not found among family and friends. The wagons and carts are filled with high quality, thoughtful and useful gifts. Parents often share they are getting much needed rest for the first time since their child’s diagnosis because they can now be comfortable themselves. This organization helps children and families feel less isolated and alone. More recently, the child of one of our parents passed away and within days Mama Bears was providing support from one of their own bereaved parents. We are grateful to Mama Bears for all that they do!”

At Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer, our motto is, Carry your family, We’ll carry you!