A cancer diagnosis has life-changing repercussions for the individual.

But when making care plans and long-term financial decisions, less consideration is given to explaining the major changes to family members.

“No child should walk through the cancer experience alone,” said Page Sacks, director of communications and special events for Walk With Sally, a charity that pairs mentors with kids aged 7-17 affected by a family member’s cancer diagnosis.

The charity was founded by Nick Arquette, a Manhattan Beach entrepreneur whose mother’s cancer when he was 11 impacted his life forever. To honor her memory and to aid others going through similar situations, Arquette gathered like-minded members of the community to help.

Mentors (selected specifically for their experience with cancer) guide kids and families through a diagnosis.

“We are focusing in on something, a part of the cancer experience that often goes overlooked,” said Sacks.

“So many organizations are focused on treatment, but what can you do when it hits home?” The charity has big plans.

They currently serve a wide swath of the South Bay and surrounding cities, but a new satellite office in DTLA will allow their reach to extend to all 88 cities in the county. “For early 2020 we want to serve and support families in every city in L.A. County,” said Sacks.

Walk With Sally’s overarching mission is serving as many as possible, as cancer is a shared experience, said Sacks.

“Cancer is not biased… it affects all of us.”