The Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC) is a vital non-profit organization that provides a lifeline for families who have a child with cancer in Northern Ontario.
The organization offers 23 programs that provide emotional, financial and educational support to families dealing with the challenges of childhood cancer.
NOFCC offers financial aid to families who are faced with medical expenses that are not covered by OHIP, as these costs can be a significant financial burden.
Since medical services for children with cancer are not accessible in the region, the organization offers accommodation programs that cover stays at the Ronald McDonald House, funds for parking and travel and meal support to minimize the burden of additional costs for families.
They also offer tutoring services for children who are away from school receiving treatment.
NOFCC acknowledges that childhood cancer affects the entire family and structures their counselling programs to address the needs of all family members.
“The organization was created by parents with children who have cancer and wanted to make a difference for other families who are newly navigating it all,” said Andrea Fortin, Program and Office Coordinator at NOFCC.
Supporting about 200 families a year, the organization’s assistance programs fully rely on community support as they are not government-funded.
“There is not another organization that focuses on these challenges in Northern Ontario”, said Fortin. “We are a lifeline for these families”.
As the pandemic brought new challenges for many organizations, NOFCC saw an 80 per cent decrease in funding, making community support more important than ever.
NOFCC welcomes community support and funding and is actively seeking volunteers for events.
The next fundraising event on the horizon is the fourth annual Gold Soiree Gala event. Proceeds from the event, taking place on September 30, 2023, will directly benefit families dealing with a cancer diagnosis in our region.
If you are interested in the event, sponsorship opportunities or volunteering, please contact [email protected].
Visit Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer’s website to learn more about the organization.