What if better treatment means more than treating the disease?
For Dr. Justin Baker, it means helping children and families live as well as possible throughout the entire cancer journey. Palliative care is often misunderstood as end-of-life care, but Dr. Baker is working to change that perception by making quality of life part of care from diagnosis onward.
In Episode 57 of Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Dr. Justin Baker, Chief of the Division of Quality of Life and Pediatric Palliative Care at Stanford Medicine and Director of the Quality of Life for All (QoLA) Program. Dr. Baker shares how pediatric palliative care is evolving, why connection is at the center of his work, and how families, healthcare teams, and communities can come together to support children facing serious illness.
Watch Dr. Baker’s episode here: Quality of Life in Pediatric Cancer Care | 57
Palliative Care Is About Quality of Life
For many people, palliative care is associated with end-of-life care or the idea that treatment is no longer working. Dr. Baker challenges that misconception, explaining that palliative care is really about treating suffering and improving quality of life. That can include managing pain and symptoms, supporting families through difficult decisions, addressing emotional and spiritual needs, and helping everyone involved feel supported. The goal is not to replace curative treatment, but to work alongside it. As Dr. Baker explains, it is a “yes and” approach. Yes, we want to cure children, and we also want every day along the way to be as meaningful and comfortable as possible.
Connection Is at the Center of Care
Dr. Baker describes suffering as the central concern of palliative care, and suffering can take many forms. Sometimes it is physical pain. Sometimes it is fear, isolation, uncertainty, or the weight of making impossible decisions. Connection can help carry some of that weight. Being present, listening, and showing families that they do not have to navigate difficult moments alone can have a meaningful impact. You do not need to have the perfect answer to be helpful. Sometimes the most important thing you can offer is simply your presence.
Showing Up Before the Hardest Moments
Dr. Baker believes palliative care is most effective when it becomes part of a child’s care early rather than being introduced only when a family reaches a crisis. When palliative care teams are integrated from the beginning, they have the opportunity to build trust with families before the most difficult decisions arise. This early connection can help families feel more supported, improve communication, and create space to talk openly about their hopes, concerns, and values. It also allows the team to help families think through difficult decisions with the goal of preventing regret later. Rather than coming in with an agenda, palliative care teams help families understand their options and make decisions that align with what matters most to them.
We All Have a Role in the Ecosystem of Care
Supporting children with cancer does not end when they leave the hospital. Dr. Baker describes an “ecosystem of care” that extends into schools, homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Families need support not only from their medical teams, but also from the people around them. That can mean a teacher making space for a child, a friend continuing to check in, or a community choosing not to disappear when things become difficult.
Dr. Baker shares a powerful example of a bereaved parent encountering a friend in a grocery store. Instead of avoiding the parent because they did not know what to say, he encourages people to lean into the moment. You do not need the perfect words. Simply saying, “It is so good to see you. I don’t even have the words, but I want you to know I care,” can create connection. Sometimes showing up means simply being willing to sit in discomfort and be present.
Why This Conversation Matters
Dr. Baker’s perspective reminds us that creating better outcomes for children with cancer means looking beyond the disease itself. Better means advancing treatment while also helping children and families experience more connection, support, and quality of life throughout their journey.
At Cannonball Kids’ cancer Foundation (CKc), we believe in pushing for better treatments and better futures for children with cancer. If you’re inspired by this conversation, visit cannonballkidscancer.org to learn more, donate, or get involved.
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