Helpful Resources
For Families of Seriously Ill Children
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest
www.rmhtwincities.org
Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families with children who have life-threatening illnesses.
Brave Kids
www.bravekids.org
Has a mission is to help children with chronic, life-threatening illnesses or disabilities.
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
www.starlightmidwest.org
Dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families by providing a broad array of both in-hospital and outpatient programs designed to enhance their ability to cope with the stress of illness. Serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Wonders and Worries
www.wondersandworries.org
Provide psychosocial support for children, youth and families coping with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Children’s Cancer Association
www.childrenscancerassociation.org
Support, information and advocacy for children and families facing pediatric cancer.
The Sibling Support Project
www.thearc.org/siblingsupport
Provide peer support and education opportunities for brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs.
Miracles of Mitch
www.miraclesofmitch.org
Dedicated to supporting families of children facing pediatric cancer.
The Lupus Foundation
www.lupus.org
Furnish educational material and provide programs of hope, strength and empowerment.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
www.mdausa.org
Provide access to educational materials and support networks in local communities.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
www.cff.org
Dedicated to supporting those facing cystic fibrosis, advocacy and research.
SuperSibs
www.supersibs.org
Strive to support, honor and recognize brothers and sisters of children with cancer.
Children’s Cancer Research Fund
www.childrenscancer.org
Supports research and training at the University of Minnesota to prevent, treat, and cure childhood cancer and offers quality of life programs for pediatric cancer patients and their families.
Great Escapes
www.starbright.org/minnesota
Great Escapes offers a variety of activities such as movie screenings, circus trips, mother-daughter makeovers, sporting events, picnics and more. All events are held in the Twin Cities metro and allow families the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves while someone else takes care of all the planning.
For Bereaved Parents & Families
Minnesota Department of Health
www.health.state.mn.us/stillbirth
Instructions and information on how to apply for a legal Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth. Does allow for retroactive filing as well.
Missing Grace
www.missinggrace.org
Minnesota organization that serves to help families on their journey through pregnancy and infant loss, infertility and adoption.
One Bright Star
www.onebrightstar.org
One Bright Star’s mission is to be a resource for families who have lost a child to death. The organization - located in Mankato, Minnesota - has created a unique star symbol to help recognize and support bereaved families with greater compassion.
A Place to Remember
www.aplacetoremember.com
Books, support materials and resources for those who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or the death of a baby.
MISS Foundation
www.missfoundation.org
National volunteer based organization committed to providing crisis support and long term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause.
Compassionate Friends
www.compassionatefriends.org
National organization assisting families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
Centering Corporation
www.centeringcorp.com
Provides materials, education and resources for the bereaved.
St. Mary's Grief Suppport Center
www.stmarysduluth.org
Provides counseling, support and education to individuals of all ages who are affected prior to or after the death of a loved one.
Infants Remembered in Silence (IRIS)
www.irisremembers.org
Dedicated to offering support, education and resources to parents, families, friends and professionals on the death of a child in early pregnancy or from stillbirth, and all other types of infant & early childhood death.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org
Administers a network of nearly 3,000 volunteer professional photographers who, at a family's request, will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session.
American SIDS Institute
www.sids.org
Strive to provide family support through crises phone counseling, grief literature and referrals.
Bereaved Parents of the USA
www.bereavedparentsusa.org
Aids and supports bereaved parents and families coping with their grief following the loss of a child.
KidsAid
www.kidsaid.com
Online support group for children dealing with loss. It includes artwork, stories and poems.
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
www.dougy.org
Provide grief support services to children or families who have experienced a loss.
Hoping Skills
www.hopingskills.com/resources
Provide on-line resources to meet the needs of children of all ages and adults dealing with serious illness, grief and loss.
Silent Grief
www.silentgrief.com
On-line support for those who have suffered miscarriage and later child loss.
Healing Quilt
www.childrensmn.org/Communities/HealingQuilt.asp
Healing Quilt is a comprehensive program offering bereavement services to families in the Children's of Minnesota system after the death of their child. It is intended to give comfort and support for families for the first year and beyond.
Allina Hospitals and Clinics
www.allina.com/ahs/grief.nsf/page/related_infant_child
Comprehensive listing of bereavement resources and grief support groups in the Twin Cities Metro and surrounding areas.
Youth Grief Services
www.ridges.fairview.org/Community_Health/grief/index.asp
Offer a range of support and education services for grieving children and for the adults who care for them.
Camp Amanda Minnesota
www.campamandaminn.com
A camp for children and teens, kindergarten through high school, who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or significant person in their lives.
Survivor Resources
www.survivorresources.org
Dedicated to helping families and loved ones recover from the shock of homicide, suicide and sudden accidental death.