TNBC Support has been developed and funded by Gilead Sciences Ltd
for people living with TNBC and their carers in the UK and
Ireland
TNBC Support has been developed and funded by Gilead Sciences Ltd
for people living with TNBC and their carers in the UK and
Ireland
The Adventure Jar
As a parent living with metastatic breast cancer (or MBC), balancing family life and unexpected turns following diagnosis can become challenging.
This resource was written, produced and fully funded by Gilead Sciences and is endorsed by Make 2nds Count.
Explaining how life can change to your children can be tricky to discuss openly. “The Adventure Jar: A story of magic for families living with metastatic breast cancer” uncovers how even at times of uncertainty and disappointment, everyday magic can be made possible when families come together.
Sit down with your little ones during reading time and explore the magic that can be created. Recommended for children aged 3-8 years old.
download free e-bookThe Adventure Jar book is available in 10 other languages: German, French, Russian, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Korean and Italian.
This book was written for the community, by the community, working with 8 diverse MBC collaborators and a psychiatrist. For illustrator Alexandra Colombo, working on this book was personal for her; she unfortunately lost family members to cancer and understands that having courage is important in the face of a cancer diagnosis.
A mother’s perspective
“When I was first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, my thoughts immediately turned to my children, who were aged seven and four at the time. I was so worried that my diagnosis would ruin their happy little lives and become a huge trauma for them both to have to deal with. Now, I am so grateful to still be stable and I am also hugely grateful for the sense of perspective that my diagnosis has given us.
This beautiful book, The Adventure Jar, reminds us all to seek out the positives, make the most of the better days and that the every day can truly be magical. It perfectly illustrates that all families need support and to look out for one another. It shows how resilient we can all be in the toughest of circumstances.”
Sarah| Mother living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer
A mother’s perspective
“When I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer two years ago, my first thoughts were of my children. I was terrified that my illness would cast a shadow over their happy little lives. Like many parents, I tried to protect them by saying nothing – I couldn’t even bring myself to say the word ‘cancer’ around them. I just wanted to shield them from it all.
But as we slowly found our way forward, I realised that silence wasn’t the answer and began searching for ways to support us on this journey. Life with a secondary diagnosis is challenging for the whole family, and navigating it together isn’t always easy.
The Adventure Jar beautifully shows how families can support one another, find joy in the everyday, and create meaningful moments – even during the hardest times. It’s a brilliant, child-friendly resource that encourages open, age-appropriate conversations. It’s also a powerful reminder of how resilient we truly are.
The idea of creating an actual adventure jar is something any family can adopt – it helps build precious memories in a way that feels manageable, accessible, and meaningful. I genuinely believe there’s magic to be found in the everyday, and this book helps families discover exactly that.”
Sarah| Mother living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer
Opening Up, One Step At A Time
Remember, you know your child best!
To help you navigate those difficult conversations about cancer, we invite you to download the Adventure Jar Discussion Guide with conversation starters and activities to help open up conversations with your young children.
download discussion guideCreate Your
Own Magic
Bring the magic to life by simply finding a container around the house and design your own adventures with this print out Activity Sheet.
download activity sheetSupport Groups
More support is available within the UK and Ireland for families and parents living with TNBC. Find our recommended patient support groups here for more information.