SUPERSIBS
Rating: 5 stars 6 reviews
Issues: Cancer
Location: 5005 Newport Ave Suite 502 Rolling Meadows IL 60008 USA
Mission: SuperSibs! was founded in October of 2002, to fill a glaring gap in services to families of children with cancer. Because the young brothers and sisters of children with cancer too often feel lonely, frightened, forgotten, angry, jealous, guilty, confused and even grief before, during and after their brother or sister's diagnosis, many of them are left with life-changing emotional scars. Until SuperSibs!, there was no organization with its primary goal to comprehensively address this problem, which can lastingly affect siblings of 12,000 children who become dangerously ill with cancer each year in the U.S. alone. SuperSibs! is unique 501(c)(3) organization designed to fill this specific gap. We bring joy, comfort and support to these "forgotten" children, attacked as they are by emotional turmoil and feelings of displacement and unimportance. SuperSibs! complements existing services provided to the sick child and his or her family. SuperSibs! answers the heartbreaking question "Hey! What about me?". SuperSibs! is being lauded by parents, siblings and professionals across the U.S. and Canada. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, EVERYONE in the family needs healing, even the "invisible children" - the siblings. SuperSibs! is here to help.
Photos
Filter Reviews by Role
Promote This Nonprofit
GreatNonprofits badges allow you to raise awareness of your favorite nonprofits on your own web sites!
GreatNonprofits
Community Reviews
9 people found this review helpful
SuperSibs! is one of those great American success stories that rose up from the ashes of near tragedy. I am not a client of SuperSibs! but I was on the ground floor in helping this incredible organization plant its roots firmly and deeply in a mission that focuses on serving children in the shadows and shining a beacon of hope for their survival and success. The organization is founded and staffed by bona fide altruists and philanthropists who want nothing more than to move the mission forward but with professional, efficient, diligent, compassionate, and high performing execution.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the rapid worldwide recognition of this new brand and founder.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-7-01
1 person found this review helpful
Last year on May 22, 2008 my little brother who was 12 years old at the time was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). My life changed completely. I was 15 years old and went to every single appointment that he had, friends were no longer of importance nor was going anywhere except the Hospital and being with family. During that period of time I learned new vocabulary and my thoughts were only related to Leukemia. At one appointment the Child Life Specialist had set my brother and I down and she asked me if I would like to join the SuperSib! program. Hearing all of the great things this program does, it sounded so intriguing to me so of course I said, "YES!" Going to all the appointments made me think solely on my brother and what my family needed before I 'treated' myself. My thoughts had change from that day forward. I actually began to think, "Hey! I am important and I do have a vital part in this whole journey." In the next few days I got a colorfully decorated envelope and it said MY name on it; it wasn't for my little brother it was for me! I opened with extreme excitement and inside was a welcoming letter, in the next few days I got a trophy for being an awesome sibling. I began to feel special. I would come home everyday excited to go get the mail, I still do! I thank SuperSibs! for everything they have done for me. I would have still been thinking about Leukemia and doctors. SuperSibs! made sure that I was ALWAYS feeling special. I cannot be more grateful for this program and they deserve for someone else to be giving them an award.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I am a fan of SuperSibs! on Facebook and I visit their site often. I read about all the people that they have helped. It is amazing to me.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Help siblings all over the WORLD! Their organization would be in every country and their hand would outreach to many others!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-6-01
1 person found this review helpful
When our oldest boys were 7 and 5, we welcomed our third son, Hansen, into our family. Just as we seemed to be finding our groove as a family of 5, Hansen was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, cancer of the retina. He was only 11 months old at the time. Our world went into a tailspin. In addition to worrying about the health of Hansen, we were concerned about making sure our older boys were getting the emotional support that they needed. That's when a friend told us about SuperSibs. I wasn't sure what to expect from the program or how long it would take to hear back from them. Much to my delight, the cards, gifts and support starting rolling in right away. For me, as a mom, it was a dream! The kids would always get so excited to see their mail in the mailbox and very quickly learned to recognize the SuperSibs symbol!! Since this is a program for siblings, I thought it might be best to have my older sons tell you what they think of SuperSibs: "Hansen is doing well. Thanks for all you've given us; trophy's, courage beads, pillowcases! It makes me feel special!" Love, Karsten, age 8 "It's a good program because you get stuff. Some days after school it makes you feel better. The pillowcase or the trophy is probably my favorite. Or the shoe things. And the beads were pretty cool. It's all cool!" Brennyn, age 11 I hope that one day no one has to hear that their child has cancer. Until then, SuperSibs is a program that I would highly recommend to all of the siblings of kids with cancer.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the emotional well-being and confidence of my kids.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
give myself a pat on the back for creating such a wonderful organization.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
knowing that there are still kind, compassionate and caring people in the world.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
n/a.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue to do it's amazing work with less worries, I'd imagine.
Ways to make it better...
nothing comes to mind. I think that our experience was just what we needed.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
publicity. I heard about this group from another family with a child with cancer. No one at the hospital or dr's office ever mentioned it and didn't seem to know about it when I mentioned it.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I cannot find adequate words to thank you for filling the needs to the most vulnerable members of my family. Small acts make a huge difference in the world. Thank you!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-4-01
12 people found this review helpful
This group has provided fantastic support for our whole family but most of all our Daughter Mary. Last fall her brother was diagnosed and our world was turned upside down. Both of our children grew up very fast, anyone who has faced a medical crisis knows the impact on everyone. Super Sibs has shown Mary how to deal with the whole range of emotions that go with having a sibling facing a major medical condition. They have connected her with other siblings and provided information for us as well as her school on how to support both kids. We will be forever greatful to this amazing organization for all they do! Mary still gets so excited whenever a new package arrives and her trophy has a place of honor in her room.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The support they offer the whole family
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I cant imagine anyone better than the group that is in charge now
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Watching my daughters eyes light up when a package arrives
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Everyone has been amazing they are never to busy to answer a question or point you in the right direction
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the world
Ways to make it better...
I had known about them sooner
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Knowledge of what they can do getting out to more families
One thing I'd also say is that...
Our daughter has been very blessed to be a part of this group, there are no words to express the help they have been
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-6-01
1 person found this review helpful
One day we were thrown the words "we're sorry, your daughter has cancer..." The lives we knew before that day were soon forgotten and we were tossed into the world of hospitals, tests, surgery, medications, and worry. As parents we were focused on our daughter and all else sadly took a backseat while in the midst of our journey. One very special person graciously took the backseat and never once complained. It was our son. Only being 9 yrs old at the time, he couldn't do much more than to love his sister through the pain and try to support her. It got rough on him because she was showered with gifts and attention and at his young age he just didn't understand why she got all the "goods" when he was trying so hard to be a good big brother. We soon came across SuperSis and quickly signed him up. Not long after we did, he began to recieve letters, cards, packages, bracelets, a trophy, books, key chains, t shirt, pillow case, just to name a few. His first words were "someone must know how hard I'm trying to be a good brother!" And yes, he was being rewarded and recognized for his bravery and courage through this difficult time for him. It's not east to watch your sibling hurt, cry in pain, and in our case go from a walking healthy 3 yr old one day to a pale, feeble sister who could no longer walk and he didn't understand why. Our son's life changed that day of diagnosis just like ours did, and although we did our best to make him feel included and important, we were not filling that need of his at that time and SuperSibs stepped in there and did just that. Our son is so proud to be a SuperSib and he wears his t shirt proudly and shares his experience and the news of SuperSibs with anyone who will listen. It made that big of an impact on a little boys life and he wants to tell the world. He feels important, loved, and encouraged each time he recieves something in the mail from SuperSibs! The impact this organization has on siblings of cancer patients is priceless!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Helping my son deal with his sister's cancer, making him feel special, encouraged, understanding difficult times, and that he matters!
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would do exactly what they are doing, making the children come first!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
How dedicated they are to these siblings of cancer when they often times have to take a back seat.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
I've conversed with several staff through emails and letters.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
It could help even more children feel the support and encouragement that they need when watching their sibling go through cancer.
Ways to make it better...
I wish we had found out about it earlier in our cancer journey.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Limited funds, not enough public awareness.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I would spread the word about SuperSibs more wide spread publicly, we wish we knew more about it earlier on.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-7-01
1 person found this review helpful
SuperSibs is a great organization that helps not only siblings of children going through cancer, but the entire family. When my daughter was going through the hardest parts of her chemo and treatment, I could not be there for my son as much as I would have liked. Supersibs helped him to feel special and remembered. He got monthly packages from them with fun and inspiring things such as an award trophy for being a super brother to his sick little sister. He always enjoyed going to the mailbox and finding a package waiting for him! SuperSibs just recently threw a wonderful and inspriring luncheon for mothers of children with cancer, calling us the "quiet heroes" the luncheon was touching and was a venue for women with the same struggles to come together and share their experiences. Their website is a wonderful source for all family members to get more information. As a parent of a child who is now thankfully in remission, I have even made contact with this organization to see if I can join them and help in their efforts to ease the family pain that is expereienced when cancer hits home.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my son and how he was able to cope with changes to our family when cancer came and changed our lives forever.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hope to be able to do as well of a job as Ms. Goldish in reaching out to the forgotten children.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ability to meet others who are in the same type of situation as ours. To see examples of strength and perseverance when it comes to the challenges of having a child with cancer.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
extremely kind and easy to talk to. They were sympathetic, generous and lovely people.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
expand it's outreach to help families in many ways that struggle with the realities of cancer.
Ways to make it better...
There were some events to have children in similar experiences interact and talk.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
just getting out awareness to all families so that help/donations can allow it to expand and continue to do good.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I always recommend this organization to any new cancer parents that I meet, as we all struggle with how to help our child with cancer, while at the same time, continuing to support the other children in the family. Cancer parents know how hard this can be
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-5-01