The charity says demand for its help has risen 40 per cent in the last two years, while government funding has not grown at the same speed.

Each year about 1,500 Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer. When a child is sick, a parent often has to quit work or cut hours to care for them.

Many of these parents are under 40 years old. Missing work can stop them from building retirement savings or education funds for their children, Kyle Smith with Childhood Cancer Canada warned.

"This is the time to step up, talk to our parliamentary leaders, as well as make sure those families going through it have a helping hand," said Kyle Smith with Childhood Cancer Canada.

Because of these financial pressures, the charity also wants changes to tax credits and employment‑insurance rules. It hopes the changes will give families more direct help.

Families like the Masikewichs, whose daughter Sloane was treated for stage‑4 neuroblastoma, say the extra money would ease stress. Claire Masikewich said families should not have to face extra financial worries on top of a cancer diagnosis.

The request matters because without extra funding, families may struggle to pay bills, and parents could lose long‑term savings. More support can let parents focus on caring for their sick child.