On the Blog:
International Women’s Day and The Nanny Angel Network
When women show up for one another,
Hope is restored.
When women show
up for one another,
Hope is restored.
Ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day, we wanted to focus on taking our mission of uplifting others one step further, so partnering up with the Nanny Angel Network felt like the perfect place to start.
Mothers bear the burden of many responsibilities and labour at home, so when it comes to taking care of themselves, it’s a common response to put their wants and needs on the back burner. A pedicure or massage can be re-booked—when a cancer diagnosis strikes, ignoring life-saving treatment is not an option.
“When a mother is sick, it can be difficult for them to reach out and ask for help,” says Audrey Guth, Founder and Executive Director of the Nanny Angel Network. “When she does, she feels an immense amount of guilt,” says Guth, who says some mothers perceive the support as surrendering their role as a mother. And that’s the magic of the Nanny Angel Network (NAN). NAN is the only charitable organization in Canada that provides free in-home and virtual childcare support to moms with cancer and their children support to moms with cancer and their children so they can focus on their cancer journey. “It’s ‘guilt-free’ childcare for them,” says Guth.
Established in 2009, NAN plays caregiver matchmaker by pairing a specially-trained volunteer with a family in need, analyzing everything from personality traits to their location. Special details are considered, such as volunteers who recently lost a loved one and want to give back their time volunteering. “Our expertise in matching volunteers and families is truly our secret to successful relationships and why our Nanny Angel volunteers change lives one child at a time,” says Guth, a two-time cancer survivor herself.
NAN goes beyond supplying mothers with “guilt-free” childcare, as Guth describes it. They also provide nutritious meals and programming for the children, with various touch points to help support their emotional needs, during the cancer treatment period and beyond. Programs like organized birthday parties (to spare mothers from frosting Encanto/Frozen cupcakes) and the Teddy Bear Clinic, which educates children about the treatment their mothers are experiencing. NAN takes the time to approach the cancer diagnosis holistically, examining the constellation of the diagnosis to members of the household.
To date, NAN has supported over 1,500 families living with cancer...
To date, NAN has
supported over 1,500 families living with cancer...
and provided over 25,000 healthy cooked meals to immunocompromised moms throughout the Greater Toronto, Hamilton and Kingston areas in Southern Ontario, Canada.Regardless of what happens with the mother’s treatment and recovery, the family is provided with support for an extended time, and, in the unfortunate case that the mother passes away, the nanny will remain in the home for some time after.
As time goes by, the nanny and the family form lasting bonds and memories for years to come. “We have an amazing graduation program, and many, many happy endings,” says Guth.
Initial Thoughts
Leading up to International Women’s Day, JENNY BIRD is donating $20 from the sale of each JB Monogram sold on jenny-bird.com to the Nanny Angel Network*, a charitable organization that supports women with cancer by matching families with childcare volunteers, and providing essential meal deliveries to their families.
SHOP MONOGRAMS