Learning, Connection, and Hope: The Pediatric Hope Project
From Experience to Action
Through my experience with stage four neuroblastoma, I noticed that education was a challenge that many families were facing. Between hospital stays, appointments, fatigue, and the emotional toll of illness, keeping up in school could feel impossible. I also saw how much siblings were affected. This eventually motivated me to create the Pediatric Hope Project.
The Pediatric Hope Project is a nonprofit organization that provides free one-on-one tutoring and mentorship for children with cancer and other serious illnesses, as well as their siblings. We match families with volunteer tutors from mostly college and graduate programs based on each student's needs. Our tutoring sessions are virtual, which allows us to support students wherever they are, whether at home, in the hospital, or recovering between treatments.
More Than Academic Support
While academic support is a big part of what we do, our mission goes beyond that. We want students to feel supported and connected during a time when life feels uncertain. Tutors can become a familiar face each week, offering encouragement and companionship.
For parents, educational support can make a meaningful difference, as families dealing with complex medical conditions are already balancing countless responsibilities and worries. By providing free tutoring, we hope to lighten their load and give families one less thing to worry about.
Building Confidence and Connection
One of the most rewarding parts of this work has been seeing the relationships that develop between tutors and students. Many children look forward to their sessions not only because they are learning, but because they have someone to talk to about books, hobbies, goals, and everyday life. For siblings, tutoring can also be a reminder that they matter and deserve support, too.
One parent shared, “Tutoring has helped my son by giving him the structure he needs to stay on track, especially with everything he’s juggling medically. It has boosted his confidence by helping him feel capable and caught up, and it has improved his attention because the sessions are paced in a way that keeps him engaged without overwhelming him.”
Another family shared, “One of the most meaningful aspects of the program for our child has been the opportunity to connect and communicate with someone outside of our household. She always looked forward to Fridays and is genuinely excited to meet with her tutor, talk, and share about anything under the sun. Those interactions became very special to her.”
A Hope for Every Family
My hope for the Pediatric Hope Project is simple: that every family facing pediatric illness has access to educational support. No child should have to fall behind because they are focused on getting better, no sibling should feel overlooked, and no parent should have to navigate these challenges alone.
Through the Pediatric Hope Project, we're working to provide that kind of support by helping children and families find confidence, connection, and hope, even during some of life's hardest moments. Every one of our tutoring matches represents a courageous child continuing to learn despite difficult circumstances and a generous volunteer choosing to invest their time and care in someone else's journey.
More from the Ronald McDonald House Resource Link:
Mikaela Hong is the founder and executive director of Pediatric Hope Project. After her own experience with stage four neuroblastoma, Mikaela started Pediatric Hope Project to help students feel supported beyond medical care, as children with goals, interests, and futures. Her hope is that every child facing serious illness has someone cheering them on, helping them keep learning, and reminding them they are not alone.
Outside of Pediatric Hope Project, Mikaela is interested in cancer research, loves playing with her Goldendoodle, and enjoys designing and sewing her own clothes.