Here is a helpful site sponsored by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation that has a series of 20 animated short films, imaginary friends explain a wide range of complicated cancer topics in a way that kids can understand. Because the more they understand about their treatment, the less scary it will be.
This is an excellent guide produced by the National Cancer Institute. If you have been newly introduced to the childhood cancer community, the NCI Guide for Parents is excellent material to help guide you in your journey.
2025 – 2026 Rankings: US News & World Reports Top 10 Best Children’s Hospitals for Cancer
1. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 8006 Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039. Phone (513) 636-4200
2. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104-4319, Phone (878) 217-6281
3. Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, 450 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA 02215 Phone (877) 442-3324
4. Children’s Hospital Colorado (Aurora), 13123 East 16th Avenue Aurora, CO 80045-7106 Phone (720) 777-1234
5. Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, Ohio), 700 Children’s Drive Columbus, OH 43205-2664 Phone (614) 722-2000
6. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027-6062. Phone (323) 660-2450
7. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.), 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105-3678 Phone (901) 595-3300
8. Children’s National Hospital (Washington, D.C.), 111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington, DC 20010-2916. Phone (202) 476-5000
9. Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston), 6621 Fannin Street Houston, TX 77030-2399 Phone (832) 824-1000
10. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, San Francisco and Oakland (Calif.), 1975 4th Street San Francisco, CA 94143 Phone (415) 476-1000
What does NCI “Comprehensive” designation mean to patients?
“Comprehensive” designation means patients get access to leading-edge treatments, including development of personalized therapies based on the unique molecular characteristics of individual patients’ tumors, and access to clinical trials in early phases of drug development. It also means that the physicians who see patients in clinic are collaborating with researchers to develop new approaches to detecting, preventing and beating cancer for all populations.
There are 51 cancer centers in the United States designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute. For a complete list go to: https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers/find
Port Access
Many children will use a Port when treated for Childhood Cancer. Here is a useful video explaining what a port is and how it is used.
Four-Square Clobbers Cancer 