As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, Lucy’s Love Bus families are embracing fall with open arms—and full hearts. This season has brought together children, siblings, and caregivers for meaningful experiences that nurture healing, laughter, and connection. From apple picking to equine adventures, every moment reminds us how powerful community can be on the road through childhood cancer.

New & Ongoing Services

Equine Encounters at Ironstone Farm: This fall, children with cancer and their siblings have continued to find comfort and confidence through our beloved Equine Encounter programs with Ironstone Farm. Whether it’s riding through forest trails, observing the herd in their natural environment, or helping to groom and care for the horses, these experiences foster calm, courage, and joy. We’ve already hosted three sessions this fall—with three more still to come before year’s end!

Support for Caregivers and Teens: Our monthly support groups for caregivers—including groups for dads, moms, and Spanish-speaking caregivers—continue to provide safe spaces for connection and understanding. Teens are also finding calm and focus through our Virtual Monthly Mindfulness for Teens group, held each month to build coping skills and promote emotional well-being.

Fall Fest with Camp Casco: In collaboration with our friends at Camp Casco, 22 families (a total of 89 people!) gathered at Shelburne Farm in Stow, MA for our annual Fall Fest. The day was filled with apple picking, hayrides, crafts, cider donuts, and laughter—everything you could hope for in a quintessential New England autumn celebration.

Fight Childhood Cancer Match with the New England Revolution: Families also came together at the New England Revolution’s Fight Childhood Cancer Match, where we joined forces with other childhood cancer groups for an evening of awareness and unity. It was a night of powerful connection—and a thrilling tie game to top it off!

“When childhood cancer groups come together for events, it feels like one big family reunion. Our kids get to see their favorite friends, and we as caregivers get to reconnect too—without having to choose between special moments.”
— Love Bus Caregiver

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Our group programs help children with cancer manage pain and anxiety, offer siblings tools to cope, and give caregivers space for rest and renewal. To learn more or register for any event below, visit www.lovebusprograms.org.

Children’s Programs:

• Equine Encounter at Ironstone Farm (ages 6+)
  Sunday, October 19th | 11:00am–1:00pm
• Virtual Mindfulness for Teens
  Monday, October 27th | 4:30pm–5:30pm
• Barn Babies
  Saturday, November 22nd | 10:00am-11:00am

Caregiver Programs:

• Spanish-Speaking Caregiver Support Group
  Tuesday, October 14th | 9:00–10:00am
• Monthly Online Father’s Support Group
  Wednesday, October 15th | 8:00–9:00pm
• Mothers/Female Caregiver Support Group
  Rotating AM/PM Tuesdays (weekly)

Program Milestones
This has been a record-breaking year for Lucy’s Love Bus, with more families reaching out for healing and support than ever before. As more families discover Lucy’s Love Bus, we’re reminded of why our mission matters so deeply. Every new participant is a child, sibling, or caregiver seeking relief, community, and the tools to heal—and we’re honored to meet them with open arms.

• 120 new Lucy’s Children applicants in 2025 — our highest number in a single year!
• 86 new Sajni’s Siblings participants — also our highest number to date.
• 70 new Ilene’s Caregiver applicants — and counting.

We’re also celebrating four years of group program partnership with Ironstone Farm, where we’ve hosted 47 programs and welcomed 251 attendees over the years. That’s a whole lot of healing, laughter—and time with Kerry, Kathy, and Alison (the humans, not the horses)!

Funding & Grant Updates
Our work is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of foundations and funders who believe in the healing power of integrative therapies and community care.

• DCU for Kids Foundation: Funded integrative therapies for 18 children through our Lucy’s Children program.
• Rogers Family Foundation: Supported seven caregivers through Ilene’s Caregivers Program, providing gym memberships, massage therapy, naturopath consultations, respite nights, and spa sessions.
• Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation: Awarded $10,000 to support our Group Programs.
• Boston North Cancer Association: Contributed $2,500 to provide integrative therapies to families north of Boston.
• Community Foundation for Greater New Haven: Granted $5,000 for Lucy’s Children and Caregiver Programs in the New Haven area.
• Greater Worcester Community Foundation: Awarded $10,000 to expand support for Spanish-speaking childhood cancer families in Worcester County.
• Rhode Island Foundation: Gave a grant of $5,000 to support our Lucy’s Children program throughout Rhode Island.
• The Hermann Foundation ($35,000)  and Adobe Employee Community Fund ($20,000): Both awarded these grants to help us sustain our mission and operations.

We are deeply grateful for every partner who helps us meet families where they are—physically, emotionally, and financially—so they can access the healing support they deserve.

Take Action
You can help make childhood cancer care more accessible for all families. Visit CAC2’s Advocacy Page to learn more about the Finn-Sawyer Act and other initiatives that improve healthcare access for children nationwide.

From Our Families
“When you have a child with cancer, community is everything. These programs remind us that we’re not alone.”
— Love Bus Parent

As we move through this beautiful season of change, we’re filled with gratitude for our families, partners, and supporters who make every program possible. Thank you for helping us deliver comfort, connection, and hope—through treatment and beyond.