Clare Matschullat
April 22, 2026
More families now than ever have found themselves facing an unimaginable reality: a child diagnosed with cancer. There is a huge emotional, physical, and financial toll on children and their loved ones in these realities. And in the middle of all this, kids are still finding ways to learn, play, and enjoy small moments. That’s why even the smallest gestures
Reaching out and sending a text to a friend going through chemotherapy can feel daunting, worrying if you’ll say the wrong thing or creating pressure to respond and provide updates. Some of the most common phrases, “stay positive” or “you’ve got this”, can feel emotionally exhausting for cancer patients. The goal of a kind text isn’t to inspire, solve anything,
When someone we care about is going through something difficult, we instinctively want to do something. For a long time, flowers have been a go-to expression of love and support, a bright bouquet that says, “I’m thinking of you.” But when someone is undergoing cancer treatment, flowers aren’t always the safest option. During treatment, many patients have significantly reduced immune
Over the past few years, funding for cancer research and patient support has declined. Recent federal budget cuts have created significant gaps in the resources that millions of patients, researchers, and caregivers rely on. Reduced funding leads to widespread consequences, including delayed clinical trials, stalled research, and lost support for patients and families. Community involvement is now more important than
The holidays are meant to feel joyful, but that joy can be harder to access when someone you love is navigating cancer treatment or rebuilding life after recovery. This guide offers thoughtful ways to bring a little more light into their season — from simple gestures that ease daily stress to curated gift ideas that genuinely support cancer patients, survivors,
The holidays can be a happy time of connection — but for many cancer patients and caregivers, they can also come with unique challenges. Going through cancer treatment, chemotherapy, or facing a new diagnosis can make this season feel overwhelming, even isolating at times. Between medical appointments, side effects, and emotional fatigue, the typical holiday pace may not feel realistic
I have been hesitant to share my story, or the many hundreds of stories —good and bad —that comprise my thirty-year survivorship, because, in truth, surviving is hard. PLEASE don’t get me wrong, it is better than the alternative, but short- and long-term survival after cancer presents its own unique sets of challenges that, like cancer diagnosis and treatment, require
When someone you love is navigating cancer, everyday tasks like cooking can become overwhelming. Organizing a meal train during cancer treatment is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to show support. Whether they’re going through treatment, recovering from surgery, or balancing appointments with rest, having a hot meal—or even just a stocked fridge—can make a big difference. These
Navigating cancer is overwhelming—emotionally, physically, and financially. But you’re not alone, and there are incredible resources out there designed to support you through every step of the journey. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or deep into treatment, these free services can make a real difference. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most helpful cancer resources—covering everything from emotional support and
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just impact your body—it shifts the ground beneath your feet, affecting your relationships, conversations, and sense of control. One of the hardest parts? Figuring out how to talk about it. Who do you tell? What do you say? How much do you share? And how do you handle the inevitable flood of emotions—from your own and
One of our first instincts upon hearing a friend or family member has cancer is to want to comfort them by sending “something.” That “something,” however, can be hard to find in that we often don’t know what they will want or need throughout their cancer journey. Cancer Sherpa has curated a list of Valentine’s Day gifts for every cancer
There are few phrases I hate more than “Carpe Diem.” When I was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager, a well-meaning, kind family friend gave me a T-shirt with some artistic stick figures dancing in front of what I can best describe as an abstract, stained-glass-ish sunny forest with the words “Carpe Diem” plastered across the chest. I still, decades
If there is one thing I know about this nurse and all nurses, it is that nursing is not a profession. It is a calling. Please understand me; I do not use the word calling in a cute or trite way; I use it because caring for another human being from birth through death requires individuals who are both the
Cancer Sherpa has repeatedly recommended many self-pay options to help our readers access mental healthcare, and we have also encouraged them to find out what mental healthcare services they are already paying for through insurance. To explain why it is critical to find out what mental health diagnostic and treatment options many Americans already have, Cancer Sherpa spoke to the
It often feels like you have the no-win choice of either selecting a plan with great pharmacy benefits and super high monthly payments and/or deductibles or reasonable deductibles and payments with somewhat lousy pharmacy coverage.
Finding time to exercise and socialize should be a part of every person’s day, just as working and having a schedule is. It’s fun, inexpensive, and feels good.
I have worked with everyone from family and friends to referrals and strangers, and I have always fought for them from the perspective of the patient. Three weeks ago, however, I was brazenly reminded of how much harder it is to do the same for a loved one when I became a caretaker.
My name is Clare. I am the founder and CEO of Cancer Sherpa, and this is my twenty-sixth year of going to sleep away camp.