A program to help parents with advanced cancer support their children
Official title: Enhancing Connections-Palliative Care: A Cancer Parenting Program for Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Children
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10794247 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a helpful program for parents with non-curable cancer that offers support and guidance over the phone, so they can better manage their parenting while dealing with their illness, and it’s designed to see how well this program works for families like yours.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 6, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $714,650 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR019987-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10794247 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents diagnosed with non-curable cancer who have children aged 5-17 living at home.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without children or those whose cancer is curable may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a cancer parenting education program designed for parents diagnosed with non-curable cancer. The program, called Enhancing Connections-Palliative Care, offers five telephone sessions led by trained educators to help parents manage their parenting responsibilities while coping with their illness. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the program or a control group, allowing researchers to assess the program's effectiveness in supporting both parents and their children. The goal is to provide practical tools and emotional support to help families navigate the challenges of advanced cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide essential support and resources to parents with advanced cancer, helping them to better care for their children during a difficult time.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot testing of the program has shown promise, indicating that similar approaches may be effective in supporting families dealing with cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Frances Marcus — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Frances Marcus
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.