Wagon & Cart
Each day, 47 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States, which means more than 17,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed each year. We are continuously meeting families throughout Northern California who have been suddenly thrust into the world of childhood cancer. Our mission is to reach each of these families in a unique and personal way. Our community has grown tenfold in a year, and we are elated to continue to reach families as we grow.
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We have delivered Hospital Survival Wagons and Clinic Carts to Northern California Pediatric Oncology Hospitals:
Kaiser Roseville and Oakland, UC Davis, Sutter Health, Stanford, multiple hospitals within UCSF, and Oakland Children's Hospital.
How you can help!
MBFCC has two essential care resources to provide parents/caregivers. The items included in our wagons and carts are essential items that we have identified through personal experience as crucial and necessary to care for a child during hospital stays, clinic visits as treatment continues as well as caring for their child at home. Our goal is that the Hospital Survival Wagon and Clinic Cart alleviates the added stress of ‘what do I need?’, ‘how do I get it?’, ‘am I able to afford all this?’ during a time when a family’s life has been suddenly turned upside down and they must be at their child’s side. These are essentially “cancer parent hacks” that have only been identified and passed down from experience in a way that only veteran parents can provide.
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By donating to MBFCC, you can come alongside parents and caregivers to provide these vital items to help them successfully care for their child. This support alleviates an immediate financial and practical burden at a time when they should solely be focusing on caring for their child. It allows parents to have many critical tools they need to navigate their child’s lengthy treatments.
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Charitable Donations are Tax Deductible. Tax ID 88-2095855.
Descriptions of a few of the items that may be provided. The content in the wagon and cart may vary depending on the caregiver's needs and the child's stage in their treatment journey.
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Smart Thermometer: Fevers in pediatric oncology patients, especially during neutropenia, are concerning for the presence of viruses. Fever in this population is considered to be anything above 100.4. The Smart Thermometer is a wearable thermometer with an alarm that will sound if the child’s temperature reaches the threshold set. This thermometer eliminates the anxious need to wake your child every hour or minute to take their temperature.
Weekly Pill Dispenser: Unfortunately, most pediatric patients will need to take medication throughout the week during treatment. This pill dispenser helps prepare the weekly medication.
Mattress Topper: Caregiver sleeping arrangements in the hospital are not ideal. Generally, the caregiver is provided a reclining chair. The mattress topper saves your back and hips and folds away for easy storage. Mattress Toppers are donated by MUFNTOP.com.
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Bed Caddy: An organization tool that attaches to the hospital bed for easy access to the TV remote, cell phone, and any other item that your child needs to be able to access while in bed.
Collapsible Cooler Bag: Clinic treatments can be anywhere from 1-8 hours long. This cooler bag allows for easy transport of your favorite perishable snacks and meals because fueling your body is essential to providing care.
Hospital Wagon
Clinic Cart
Buy a wagon or cart for a family in need!​
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Testimonial from a 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!”