At Gilda’s Club Wisconsin, we know cancer affects the whole family. Our Children, Teen, and Family programs give kids, teens, and their loved ones a safe space to connect, share their experiences, and feel supported. These programs help families know they are not alone—and that together, they can navigate the challenges of cancer.
Family Night
Weekly on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30pm
Family Night is a no-cost program offered weekly for children and their families impacted by cancer. Each Tuesday, the evening begins with an optional dinner from 5:30–6:00 pm, followed by support groups from 6:00–7:30 pm for children, adults living with cancer, and caregivers.
Kid Support (Cancer Support) & Therapeutic Medical Play
Available year-round!
Our Kid Support program is curriculum-based, giving children a structured, age-appropriate way to explore their feelings, build coping skills, and connect with peers who understand what they’re going through. Family Night provides a safe, supportive space for the whole family to come together, share experiences, and know they are not alone.
Interested in Registering or Have Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Kunz CCLS, APSW at elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org or 608-828-8875.
Kid Support™ is a free peer support group for children ages 5-11 who are affected by cancer; for both children who know someone with cancer and children who themselves have cancer. This 10-week program uses a combination of education, art, expressive games, and team-building to help children feel safe to ask questions, express difficult feelings, and share common experiences.
Medical play involves interacting with real or pretend medical equipment in a playful way, such as giving a teddy bear a pretend IV for chemotherapy or using a syringe to paint a picture. It can help kids and teens understand and become more comfortable with medical tests, procedures, treatments, and the overall cancer experience. Therapeutic medical play gives kids and teens a way to express their feelings, fears, and anxieties and helps them learn ways to cope with things that may be stressful or upsetting (cancer.gov). This is a free group for kids and teens who are affected by cancer; for both those who know someone with cancer and those who themselves have cancer. Throughout this 6-week program, children and teens will engage in therapeutic medical play facilitated by a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Supportive play is a free group for children 4 years of age and younger who are affected by cancer; for both children who know someone with cancer and children who themselves have cancer. “Play is the work of kids,” and this 10-week program allows space for kids to grow, learn, laugh, and play.
This group is for parents or guardians who are living with a cancer diagnosis, through treatment, and up to 1 year following treatment, and have children or teens.
This support group is for the adult family and friends with children and teens who are supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis. Come meet and share support with others in the same role.
Kids Connect through Grief and Loss (Grief Support)
Sessions Planned for 2026
- Dates TBD
Interested in Registering or Have Questions?
Contact Elizabeth Kunz CCLS, APSW at elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org or 608-828-8875.
This 4-week program is designed for children ages 5-11 who have experienced the death of someone they know to cancer. This program uses a combination of education, art, expressive games, and therapeutic activities to help children feel safe to ask questions, express difficult feelings, and share common experiences through grief and loss.
This 4-week program is designed for teens 12+ who have experienced the death of someone they know to cancer. This program uses a combination of education, art, expressive games, and therapeutic activities to help children feel safe to ask questions, express difficult feelings, and share common experiences through grief and loss.
Supportive play is a free group for children 4 years of age and younger who have experienced the death of someone they know to cancer. “Play is the work of kids,” and this 4-week program promotes a healing space for kids to be kids.
This 4-week workshop series is for parents and caregivers with teens or children, who are grieving a death to cancer.
Socials
Gilda’s Club Wisconsin brings families together to connect, have fun, and support one another through the cancer journey. Our monthly family social events—like baking, hikes, games, and creative activities—give families a chance to laugh, share experiences, and make memories together. Check out our calendar and join the fun!
Short Term Individual or Family Sessions
Gilda’s Club Wisconsin offers up to six no-cost support sessions for children, teens, and families impacted by cancer. We know that a cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, and questions often arise about how to talk to kids, what resources to use, and how to best support children and teens through treatment, survivorship, or loss.
Children and teens may have their own concerns and questions, and meeting with a mental health professional can help them process their experiences. Sessions can include therapeutic activities that encourage emotional expression and use developmentally appropriate ways to explore challenging topics. Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs of your child and family.
Our Children, Teen, and Family Program Manager, Elizabeth Kunz (she/her), is a Certified Child Life Specialist and Advanced Practice Social Worker with extensive experience supporting children, teens, and families navigating cancer. She is here to guide and support your family every step of the way.
For more information or to schedule a session, please call 608-828-8875 or email elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org.
School and Community Support
Gilda’s Club Wisconsin offers free school and community-based education and support for folks impacted by cancer or a death to cancer. We work with children, teens, families, students, teachers, staff, and community members to provide education and support through interactive presentations, consultations, lectures, and workshops. Support available for children and teens in the community also includes developmentally appropriate preparation for a hospital visit, medical procedure, attending a funeral, and other potentially challenging life events due to cancer. For more information or to schedule, please contact Elizabeth Kunz CCLS, APSW at elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org or 608-828-8875.
Volunteering & Supporting Our Program
Interested in volunteering for our Children, Teen and Family program? Complete our volunteer application and sign up to attend a Children, Teen and Family Program volunteer training.
Do you have a talent or expertise you’d like to share with our kids, teens or families? Please contact Elizabeth Kunz at 608-828-8875 or email elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org.
Consider helping by giving. Support the Children, Teen and Family program by donating items from our Amazon wishlist, making a gift online, or email elizabeth@gildasclubwi.org for additional ideas.
All submissions were part of the Gilda’s Club Art Show and can be viewed in our digital exhibit.