Are you a caregiver?

You might already be one. Here’s what that can look like.

A caregiver is anyone who helps another person manage their health, daily needs, or overall well-being—often without pay. You might be a caregiver if you:

  • Help a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor with everyday tasks

  • Coordinate or attend medical appointments

  • Manage medications or health-related needs

  • Provide emotional support, check-ins, or advocacy

  • Assist with household responsibilities or transportation

  • Step in regularly because someone relies on you

If you see yourself in any of these roles, you can identify as a family caregiver—even if you’ve never used that term before. Caregiving looks different for everyone, but every caregiver plays a vital role and deserves recognition and support.

The Caregiver’s Role

Managing Treatment and Everyday Support

Caring for a loved one with leukemia often means helping manage appointments, treatments, medications, lab tests, symptoms, and communication with the healthcare team. Caregivers may also assist with transportation, meals, daily activities, insurance, medical bills, and other practical needs that arise during treatment.

Caregivers also provide reassurance, help their loved one stay connected to others, and coordinate support from family and friends. Because leukemia caregiving can be demanding, sharing responsibilities and caring for your own physical and emotional well-being are important parts of sustaining support over time.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Treatment can change, and so can your role

Leukemia treatment may involve chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, or combinations of treatments. Your loved one’s needs may change throughout the process, so be prepared to adjust the type and amount of help you provide. 

Pay attention to changes and communicate with the care team

Caregivers are often in a good position to notice changes in symptoms, energy, appetite, mood, or side effects. Keep a simple record of concerns and know when to contact the healthcare team. Don’t assume a new or worsening symptom is “just part of treatment.”

You don’t have to do this alone

Leukemia caregiving can involve appointments, transportation, medications, household responsibilities, financial concerns, and emotional support. Ask family and friends to help with specific tasks, use available community and patient resources, and make time for your own health and well-being. Being a good caregiver doesn’t mean doing everything yourself.

Caregiver Resources from Our Partners

Organization

Cancer Information, Treatment & Support Resources

Provides information about cancer symptoms, treatment, side effects, nutrition, and managing daily life, along with support programs and services for people with cancer and their caregivers.

Organization

Blood Cancer Education, Support & Financial Assistance

Offers disease-specific information, personalized support, educational programs, peer connections, and financial assistance for people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers.

Organization

Blood Cancer Information & Support

Provides education, support, and resources for people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers, including help navigating treatment and connecting with support services.

SUPPORT

Free Cancer Counseling & Support Services

Provides free counseling, support groups, educational workshops, resource navigation, and limited financial assistance for people with cancer, caregivers, and loved ones.

SUPPORT

Leukemia & MDS Patient Education Resources

Offers educational programs and practical resources for people with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, including information designed to help newly diagnosed patients better understand their disease and care.

SUPPORT

Patient, Family & Caregiver Counseling Services

Provides professional counseling and social work support for patients, families, and caregivers, including help with emotional concerns, coping, support groups, transportation, housing, and other practical needs.

Caregiver Action Network Resources

Explore Your Community Support Options

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Personalized Guidance from Caregiving Experts

Available Monday-Friday from 8am – 7pm ET, our experts are ready with the personalized support, guidance, and assistance you need and deserve–for as long as you need it.

(855) 227-3640

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

24/7 Access to Hundreds of Helpful Resources

The National Caregiver Help Desk App, powered by Carallel, is full of bite-sized resources crafted to help you build skills, validate what you’re feeling, and help you get stuff done.

Use Access Code: CAN

Connection & Community with Other Caregivers

Expert-Led Virtual Fireside Chats

These 30-minute virtual fireside chats address the complex and often difficult topics encountered by caregivers. Sessions are led by Matt Perrin, Carallel’s Director of Caregiver Engagement, and Sheila Schultz, a Carallel Care Advocate.

Community with Other Caregivers

Community With Other Caregivers

Through CAN, Carallel Support Groups give you a place to ask questions, feel understood, and build confidence in your caregiving journey. Access is simple and available when you need it.

Certified Listeners

Connect with Certified Listeners

Looking for someone who really gets it? Get matched with trained listeners who share your lived experience—whether that’s caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, cancer, or another chronic condition.

Facebook Support Group for Caregivers

Online Support Group on Facebook

Join our caregiver community on Facebook to connect with thousands of peers in a welcoming, supportive space.
Ask questions, share experiences, and receive advice any time of day.

We’re meeting caregivers where they are—giving you choices for how you want to connect, whether through expert advice, peer-to-peer empathy, or live support groups.