Das Neueste von Ukandu

As I walked through The Loft surrounded by families, friends, partners, supporters, and people who have helped imagine this place into existence, I was struck by something one of our parents, Julia Thompson, said in remarks to commemorate the day:

The audacity.

The audacity of Ukandu to believe families affected by childhood cancer deserve something this extraordinary.

Throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing stories about what childhood cancer asks of children and families—not only during treatment, but long after it ends.

This week, we turn to what comes after treatment—and why the word “survivor”, while worthy of celebration, doesn’t always tell the whole story.

A More Than Medicine Installment

For families affected by childhood cancer or another serious medical condition, "back to school" can mean something entirely different. School may not look the way it once did. For families affected by childhood cancer or another serious medical condition, "back to school" can mean something entirely different. School may not look the way it once did.

A More Than Medicine Installment

For families affected by childhood cancer or another serious medical condition, "back to school" can mean something entirely different. School may not look the way it once did. For families affected by childhood cancer or another serious medical condition, "back to school" can mean something entirely different. School may not look the way it once did.

Eine Folge von More Than Medicine

Es war mein erstes Ukandu Family Camp.

Monatelang hatte ich Menschen mit einer Art Ehrfurcht davon sprechen hören, die schwer zu erklären war. Familien zählten die Tage bis zum Camp. Freiwillige lächelten, wenn sie darüber sprachen. Kolleginnen und Kollegen sagten einfach: „Du wirst es verstehen, sobald du dort bist.“

Sie hatten recht.

A More Than Medicine Installment

June is National Men's Mental Health Month.

Like many men, I'm pretty good at convincing myself that things can wait. A nagging symptom? Probably nothing. Stress building up? I'll deal with it later. Something doesn't feel quite right? Let's give it a few more weeks and see what happens.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Eine Folge von More Than Medicine

Im Camp Ukandu geschieht etwas Außergewöhnliches.

Für eine besondere Woche, an einem ganz besonderen Ort, dürfen die Dinge, die alle zusammengeführt haben (die Diagnosen, die Behandlungen, die Verluste, die Scans, die Narben), für eine Weile ruhen.

Und Menschen dürfen einfach miteinander Mensch sein.

A More Than Medicine Installment

Recently, after spending time talking with some of our incredible Ukandu volunteers about grief, loss, and the experiences so many families in our community carry, I found myself continuing to think about grief long after the conversation ended. Not just grief after death, but the quieter forms of grief that families living with serious illness often carry every single day.

Eine Ausgabe von More Than Medicine

Ich arbeite seit mehr als 20 Jahren in verschiedenen Formen im Bereich der psychischen Gesundheit. Verschiedene Umgebungen. Verschiedene Gemeinschaften. Verschiedene Altersgruppen und Bevölkerungsgruppen. Krankenhäuser, Schulen, gemeinnützige Organisationen, Kliniken, Camps, Krisenmomente, ganz normale Momente. Und durch all das hindurch ist eines wahr geblieben: Menschen brauchen einander.

Nicht perfekt. Nicht immer mit den richtigen Worten. Aber beständig, ehrlich und menschlich.