Services We Offer
Families of children who are cancer survivors, or are in various stages of treatment, are invited to attend our family gatherings on the first Tuesday of each month at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester MN, from 6 – 7:30pm. These times provide a special time for our families to share a light meal and spend time with one another. A Mayo Clinic Child Life Specialist and a professional Brighter Tomorrows’ Coordinator are onsite to provide organized activities for the children.
- Provision of Family Care Kits
Brighter Tomorrows is privileged to provide newly diagnosed families with a Family Care Kit. A soft-side cooler (designed to transport medications that need to be kept cool) is given to each family to help them as they begin coping with a childhood cancer diagnosis. Inside, the family will find items essential to their cancer journey including gift cards for gas and food, parking passes, snacks, a few necessary toiletries, as well as other helpful items.
- Hosting Family Retreats
Periodically, Brighter Tomorrows hosts a very special get-away where our families are invited to join us for an entire weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation. This retreat allows them to spend time with one another away from the day-to-day stresses of the medical world. In the past we have been guests of Faith’s Lodge in Danbury WI, as well as The Miracle Lodge in Stewartville MN.
- Sponsorship of Family Events
In addition to our monthly meetings, we offer many opportunities for our families to get together! It seems we always have something fun going on. Please check out our calendar of events and plan to join us!
- Winter Warmth Festival
Annually, the Mayo Clinic Medical Students, in collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House and Brighter Tomorrows, host the Winter Warmth Festival in Rochester MN. This unique event is provided for families whose children are battling serious illnesses. The festival is in the likeness of a children’s carnival, and features many exciting events!
- Hospital Visits
Please know that if invited, it would be our privilege to stop by to visit while you are spending time in the hospital. If your child is newly diagnosed and you are feeling overwhelmed, we welcome the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with you. Please contact us.
- Mentorship Programs
Because of the support our families receive while their child is undergoing treatments, many desire to give back once they have completed their own personal journey. Brighter Tomorrows welcomes and fosters their wishes by involving them in our programs. Thank you to all of the families who are graciously giving of themselves and helping others.
- Professional Speakers
Periodically, Brighter Tomorrows invites professionals to speak on topics of interest at our monthly meetings. Please click here to view a schedule of our speakers.
- Adopt-a-Family Program
If a newly diagnosed family desires to be matched with another family whose child is the same gender, same age, and/or has the same diagnosis, Brighter Tomorrows will do our best to make this match. Once this connection has been made, these families are there to support one another.
- Tomorrow’s Chapter ~ Bereavement Support for the Days to Come
Even though many of our children go on to live normal lives, sadly some do not. Because families going through the grieving process have very special needs, Brighter Tomorrows has developed and offers our bereavement program entitled Tomorrow’s Chapter~Bereavement Support for the Days to Come. If you are facing the loss of a child to childhood cancer, please contact us. We are waiting and willing to help.