When presence becomes medicine

Author: Justyna Ławniczak, psychologist, psycho-oncologist during specialization.

My name is Justyna. I work as a psychologist at the "Krwinka" Foundation. I am completing my specialization in psycho-oncology at SWPS University. Every day I meet children who suffer from cancer and their families. I accompany them in the hospital - sometimes in silence, sometimes in conversation, and sometimes simply in play, which brings relief. This is a text about presence. About the fact that even in the most medical world, what is human is of the greatest importance.

I am not alone. And you don't have to be either

A child's cancer is a moment when the world falls apart into a million pieces. A parent faces the biggest challenge of their life - staying with their child, hoping for health, and fighting fear every day. The path through treatment is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: no one should go it alone.

There is a word that I have been repeating to myself a lot lately – companionship. It sounds ordinary, but for many families going through a child's cancer diagnosis, it means everything.

Companionship is not just being "next to you". It is the shared silence in the doctor's office, holding your hand during the first chemotherapy, reading a story for the hundredth time or simply being there in the hallway when the parent is holding on with the last of their strength. You cannot define companionship in one sentence. But you can feel it – when someone looks at you with concern before asking: "How are you holding up?".

Companionship heals. Literally

Many people may think that real treatment is only medicine. But science says otherwise.

Uchino's study confirmed that social support lowers the level of cortisol (the stress hormone), and thus reduces the physiological burden on the body. This translates into better immunity, faster convalescence and even the effectiveness of oncological treatment.

Other studies show that patients with a high level of emotional support cope better with the side effects of treatment and are less likely to develop depression.

Being with your child during cancer is the foundation on which mental strength is built – both for young patients and their families. The presence of another person – whether a parent, doctor, nurse, psychologist, volunteer, or another parent – ​​gives a sense of security and reduces the feeling of isolation. Scientific research clearly confirms that social support has a huge impact on the healing process. According to a publication in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, children who receive regular emotional support from loved ones and medical staff cope better with the stress associated with treatment, and their quality of life significantly increases.

Social support acts as a buffer – it reduces anxiety, improves adaptation to the disease, and strengthens mental resilience. Parents who feel understood and cared for are less likely to experience caregiver burnout. In turn, children surrounded by friendly people retain more of their childlike joy, despite difficult hospital conditions. Companionship is not just a gesture – it is a real force that helps to survive.

You see? Your presence, a kind word, attentiveness – these are not “nice additions”.

These are very important therapeutic factors.

Who is a companion?

Everyone brings something unique. A doctor gives knowledge, a nurse care, and another parent solidarity. Even a short conversation over a hospital coffee or shared silence in a difficult moment can be priceless. As a future psycho-oncologist, I am learning that companionship is the art of being there – without judgment, without imposing, with full openness to the needs of another person... in an extremely difficult situation.

You don’t have to be a psychologist to accompany. You don’t have to have the answers to everything, know medical procedures, or wear a lab coat. Just… be.

A companion can be:

• another parent who goes through a similar path,
• a nurse who comes not only with an IV but also with a smile,
• a volunteer who can turn a child's bed into a space base,
• a doctor who - despite the time pressure - will ask: "How do you really feel today?"

But also a teacher, a neighbor, a friend who will call and say: "I don't know what to say, but I'm here."

How to accompany a child with cancer?

Even during hospitalization, children remain children - full of dreams, curiosity and the need to play. Treatment requires discipline, but it should not take away their childhood. Here are some practical ways to support young patients:

How to support a parent?

When their child is ill, parents often put themselves in second place, focusing on fighting for their child’s health. Accompanying them is a reminder that they also need support. Here's what you can do: