Helping new parents understand the diagnosis and the need to complete treatment protocols is a very important part of such support. Other activities could include: where new parents are welcomed into the ward and made to feel part of the cancer family by other parents who have been there for a while; basic coping skills for ward-life; one-on-one chats; explanations why it is necessary to complete treatment; preparing both patients and parents psychologically for medical procedures; discussion groups; information on the hospital layout; and where to shop.

Support is provided for needs such as: funding for transport to-and-from the treatment centers; food parcels for families left behind at home; extra food in the wards; clothing; wigs for the children; wheelchairs; medical devices to be used at home and prostheses. One of the most important services, is providing “parent homes.” These facilities house the parents and the patient while being treated, since their own homes are often a long distance from the treatment centers. Some CCFs are also able to arrange that children with cancer and their families have a brief holiday to get away from ward-life and have a few days or normal family life for a while. Others even supplement the loss of income of the caregiver or parent who needs to give up their job to look after their child who is ill.

Recent research suggests that adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer (age 15–20 years) should form a group separate to that of young children (age 0–14 years) as their medical and psychological needs differ. In most countries in Africa, AYAs are treated in adult oncology wards on adult protocols, despite recent research indicating that AYA cancers following a pediatric protocol have better outcomes. Internationally, websites and chat rooms have been established so that AYAs can support one another. There are wards, in Africa, especially for AYAs where their unique needs are better addressed, however, at the time of writing there were few. CCFs actively assist with establishing such wards where they are allowed by health departments and hospital administrators. Literature specifically for this group is also available from many CCFs globally through CCI.

Volunteers help entertaining the children by reading or playing with them. These volunteers could also help with translation in general, but especially when healthcare professionals communicate the disease. They can also help with many others aspects of ward-life such as: personnal hygeine practices, answering telephones, filing, arranging transport, organizing information packs, completing forms for illiterate parents or caregivers, cleaning, cooking, distributing gifts and clothing and accompanying patients to other areas of the hospital.

CCFs organize volunteers and professionals to offer support through play therapy to address issues such as, accepting their diagnosis; how to cope with life in a hospital ward; hygiene; addressing their angers; overcoming fears of medical procedures; understanding of death; and alleviation of pain by listening to music.

Patients and their families are offered a break from ward-life by organizing birthday parties, outings to places of interest, as well as attending special camps for children with cancer and possibly also their siblings in some countries.

Survivors form groups to offer support to one another on how to meet the challenges of long-term survival. They also advocate for change by governments and other institutions to address issues, such as discrimination when applying for work, health insurance being loaded, etc. There is a group called, Childhood Cancer International Survivors Network, run by survivors that can be contacted through www.​iccpo.​org.

Some CCFs provide a palliative care service where treatment centers are understaffed or staff are overworked and unable to take adequate care of those for whom cure is no longer an option.

Families are assisted with the cost of funerals and the transport of the deceased child back home. Forming special bereavement support groups to assist in long-term support of the family. Arranging annual bereavement services, regular meetings for bereaved parents where they are addressed by experts in the field. Appointing bereavement counsellors specially trained to assist parents, siblings and relatives.

CCFs help organize an annual international conference for all stakeholders in childhood cancer matters, but with an emphasis on issues affecting the activities of CCFs. This usually takes place at the same venue where SIOP has their annual Conference. Regional conferences are also organized in the following regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

CCFs make provision for the following needs at the treatment center: