This would be the first organization that I would learn of when I heard the terrifiying words that my son has cancer. I learned of this organization when I was given a bag. This was a tote that contained so many things that would help distract our mind and help us get through the first few days and a bag that said that someone outside of these walls nderstands and cares for families like mine. This bag would become my hospital bag that I had packed for those unexpected hospitalizations.
Circle of Care welcomed our family into theirs in March of 2020, right when the state shut down due to COVID-19. Our son, Kyle had just been diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma. During his first week of treatment, we were provided with a Bag of Love consisting of several essential items we didn't even think to pack - it was so thoughtful during the most difficult time of our lives. Over the years, our family has gotten to know the founders and staff at Circle of Care. They have always welcomed us with open arms and have offered support, both emotionally and financially which we are forever grateful. They are always reaching out to us to let us know they are there if we ever need anything. Our family is incredibly fortunate to have been put in contact with Circle of Care to help us through this hardship. It's always nice to know they are there, and, will continue to be there, as we continue to navigate this difficult journey.
Circle of Care has been a force of hope and kindness throughout a devastatingly challenging time in our family's lives. While our 5-year-old was going through treatment for Leukemia, Circle of Care provided continuous support for our whole family, both financially and emotionally. The hospital social worker helped us communicate with Circle of Care initially. Now, two years later, our family has developed an extraordinary connection with the incredible team that makes all of it possible! What's even more significant is how included the siblings and parents feel when participating in Circle of Care events or initiatives - they don't just help the patient but uplift the whole family! We are so grateful for the kindness extended to us in such a destabilizing period in our lives and will carry the Circle of Care torch for others who will come after us!
A truly dedicated and caring organization. As a volunteer, Liz and Dawn and the rest of the staff make you feel a part of their mission. They have many great events and opportunities to get involved to help support families with children fighting cancer throughout Connecticut.
One of the best non profits where the focus is on children with cancer and their families .Circle of Care understands the needs of families as they navigate the health care system and find themselves without resources to help their other children , and or the child with cancer .With exceptional care from this organization , families have remained whole and come out knowing they have the support of a dedicated group of caring people. Circle of Care touches the lives of so many and we at St.Matthews feel lucky to be a part of helping Circle of Care .
Circle of Care has been an incredibly important part of my family's life throughout the entire cancer fighting journey for my child. I don't know what we would have done without them.
This organization has a profound impact on children with cancer and their families in CT, paying mortgages, providing day of diagnosis Bags of Love, doing amazing dream room makeovers for kids, and tons of other stuff. Small organization doing big things!
As a Board Member for TeamConnor Pediatric Cancer Foundation, I have had the privilege of getting to see the work of The Circle of Care intimately, as we have considered their organization for receiving grants from our foundation.
We, as a Board for TCF, have been amazed at the work Circle of Care does. They are on the frontlines during a family's most difficult time, anticipating their needs before they are even aware of what it is they need. Through the Purple Pages, the Bags of Love, and the support they provide through hospital volunteers and phone support, they help families know that they are not alone.
A cancer diagnosis is a terrible thing, but particularly for a child. Circle of Care is there from the very beginning and walks with the family through the duration of their treatment. They truly are an amazing organization.
As the Child Life Specialist for inpatient pediatric oncology, I have been able to see, first hand, the impact Circle of Care has on children and families. At the time of diagnosis, families receive a "Bag of Love" which includes fun items for kids, care items, snacks, and vital educational materials for caregivers. This bag serves as a "welcome" to the hospital as well as an introduction to the Circle of Care program which is a resource families typically rely on throughout their treatment process.
Circle of Care provides volunteers that come into the hospital several times a week. These volunteers are invaluable in that they are willing to help in any way they can! Volunteers are able to play with children while families are talking with medical staff, able to "pick up" lunch or snack items, provide play activities at bedside or in the playroom, or, to lend a listening ear.
The Connexions program by Circle of Care is a lifeline to helping families comminucate! This programs provides laptop computers that patients and families can use to update blogs, communicate via email with friends and family, research a diagnosis/procedure, play games, or, watch movies! These laptops are usually the first things families ask for upon admission!
Another special program that makes Circle of Care unique is Art from the Heart. This amazing program partners creative teams with patients to create room make-overs! Patients are chosen by a lottery system several times a year and, if chosen, patients are able participate in creating a new special space, just for them! This program makes all the difference for children undergoing treatment as many children are spending more time at home after a diagnosis. It also gives the children something to look forward during their difficult journey of illness.
I can't say enough about Circle of Care and all they have done for our families. Every time we email or speak on the phone, they are always willing to help proivde support- whether financial or emotional. This is a relationship that I hope will continue for many years!
I am a pediatric oncology socialworker and have worked closely with the Circle of Care on behalf of my patients and their families. The Circle of Care is a wonderful organization to work with, their response time is quick and without delay. The feed back I have received from my families has been very positive. The caring nature of the people involved with the Circle of Care speaks for itself. One of our teenage patients could not afford to attend her prom, Dawn from the Circle of Care ,went above and beyond, and made this patients dream become a reality . This organization far exceeds expectations.
For years Circle of Care has been an inspirational, dedicated, and passionate organization that truly makes an impact. The Circle of Care volunteers bring joy and comfort to kids and families during extremely chaotic times. Child by child, they transform the world of kids being treated for cancer and their families. I am forever grateful for all of their support.
A truly amazing organization. My son was diagnosed with hodgekins lymphoma at the beginning of summer of his sixth grade year. As most kids were celebrating the start of the summer we were in a hospital and then housebound most of the time. It seemed like every day I was telling what he could NOT do. No going in the sun, no going in the water, no crowds, etc. It was a very lonely and sad time. There was very few positive things I could offer him to take his mind off of this very scary situation. During the chemo there seemed to be very little room for joy. Then came circle of care. They were amazing. They got him involved in the room decoration and had all kinds of ideas. He was able to share with his friends something positive and fun HE was doing! I think it gave him something to focus on and look forward to. It was one of the few things he could actually enjoy and still gets enjoyment out of to this day. It was a wonderful gift which lifted his spirits in a way nothing else could. I can't say enough about these wonderful people who give so much of their time and energy to make complete strangers happy. Thank you circle of care!!
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Circle of Care. Their programs offer comfort, support and resource assistance to families who are facing one of life's biggest challenges. In big and small ways, they let families at our center know that someone understands what they are going through. The relief a family feels when I share that Circle of Care can help with a light or rent bill is beyond words. They are always responsive to a special request and available to go the extra mile.
Circle of Care always goes above and beyond in helping families in so many ways. All I need to do is call them and share a story and they have always been available to help our oncology families. For example, during the holidays they purchased entire meals (from turkeys to stuffing, to deserts) for families who could not afford a meal or who did not have the time to cook due to their child being hospitalized. I have known Dawn and Liz for many years. They are caring, compassionate, and dedicated women who understand what our families experience on a day to day basis. I applaud them and Circle of Care for their support of children with cancer at Yale.
My daughter was diagnosed with brain Cancer at the age of 10.
During her treatment, I was unable to work...adding to the pressure of an already devastating illness.
Circle of care provided us with Gas Cards and Grocery Store Cards.
They always seemed to come when we were at the end of our rope.
God Bless Circle of Care.
By the way my daughter just celebrated her 4th year as a Survivor !!!
E.S., Fairfield, CT
At 2 pm we were told to head to the hospital asap to treat my daughter who had Leukemia. It a shocked state, we rushed ourselves there and forgot many items. Circle of Care had a bag of necessities in the hospital waiting for us. There were cards from children and as I said many necessities for my daughter and for myself and husband. They knew exactly what we would forget! Also, high school students visited the oncologist office often to do crafts with the sick children. My daughter won a room makeover from Circle of Care-her room was redone the way she wanted it! It was awesome having them come to our house and do this for us. They even made sure my older daughter was in the loop and treated her great! Dawn and the girls were wonderful! We will never forget them. They were a shining star during an awful time of our lives. Thank-you!!!!!!!
"Your son has cancer". Our world came crashing down. We were moved from the Emergency Department to an inpatient room that was to be our home for the next four weeks. On the bed was a large, zippered bag. A bag filled with comfort. A fresh shirt for me (we'd been in the ER all day), an oral thermometer to keep track of any infections (how many times a day did I use that during treatment?), a pen, a pad of paper (how else could we keep track of what the doctors were saying?), lots of other gear and a very important stuffed bear for a very scared little boy. Circle of Care, a bunch of strangers I've never met, brought our family into their circle of love at a time when we needed it most. We are forever grateful.
We were connected with Karen with Art From the Heart through a social worker from our daughter's oncologist's office. Though her a makeover was done on the room she shares with her sister, the results of which are amazing! We were so impressed with the kindness shown to our entire family. This is a wonderful organization.
When we received a call from Karen from Art from the Heart, we had no words that could thank her organization enough. Through the Maria Ferrari Childrens hospital, where my daughter Rosie was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma, she was contacted by AFTH and had a room makeover that she is thrilled with. Our family is forever grateful for this wonderful charity and all the special people we met.
Sitting in a planning meeting for another event I sat and listened to the Founders of Circle of Care speak about their passion for helping families who children's lives had been touched by Cancer. Liz and Dawn have been exactly where these families are now and know exactly what they need to do to be helpful and make an impact. When you realize, that you yourself could find yourself in a hospital with your child who has just been diagnosed with cancer and you have not been home all day, or eaten, and have $2 in your pocket, you need someone. You need Circle of Care. You realize they are indeed providing amazing service. I had a pit in my stomach and knew I was called to get involved. I volunteered to help in any way I could. Circle of Care makes a difference EVERY SINGLE DAY to someone. All who come in contact with them are very blessed!
I met the three women who started Circle of Care a few years back through a mutual friend. I started off helping out with a fundraiser and saw right away the incredible motivation, willpower and dedication these women possessed. Hearing their stories about how their children survived cancer was so inspiring to me. They met and wanted to help other mothers feel like they had a support system because when your child is diagnosed with cancer the world falls from beneath you. I too, am the mother of a cancer survivor, so I could relate to their crusade. I was, and still am, in awe of these women. We all have other children, families, extra curricular activities, etc. and they are still out there trying to raise awareness and pounding the pavement in order to help other families that are experiencing pediatric cancer. It's amazing how you can feel a connection with someone by exchanging chemo stories, blood transfusions, relapses, all things that we wish no one has to go through. Circle of Care is an organization that brings a special light to a community that is growing day by day. It's nice to know someone out there cares and wants to help in any little way possible.
I first learned of Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer when asked to volunteer on a fundraiser about 4 years ago. I have been volunteering ever since because I know my efforts can make a big difference!
What is immediately appealing about Circle of Care's services is the thoughtful and immediate help they provide to families; their care begins from the day of diagnosis and endures throughout the end of treatment, comforting patients as well as their families.
Circle of Care fulfills the emotional as well as the practical needs. Everyday essentials fill the Bags of Love and accompany patients on admittance; laptop computers are available for patient and parent use to ease communication and research, a resource directory and respite support from well-trained, loving volunteers, as well as financial aid are among our programs. The difference Circle of Care makes is palpable.
Circle of Care is a community of love and support to families who need it most and deserves top-rating status!
Review from Guidestar