About Sibling Society
“This organization was built because I was one of them. “
— Founder, Sibling Society
Our Story
Sibling Society was founded in 2024 by our founder (now the chair) whose younger sister was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Like many siblings of children with cancer, she tried to stay strong, stay out of the way, and carry some difficult emotions on her own while her family focused on treatment and recovery. Along the way, it became clear how few resources existed for siblings facing the emotional challenges of their brother or sister getting sick.
Patients have healthcare teams. Parents often have access to social workers, support groups, and community resources. Siblings, however, are frequently expected to adapt quietly to a life that has suddenly changed. Although many organizations recognize the importance of siblings, there are few spaces dedicated entirely to their experiences, challenges, and voices.
Sibling Society was created to help change that. We believe that siblings deserve support for their own journey, too. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, lonely, hopeful, or simply looking for others who understand, you belong here. Our mission is to support, empower, and inform siblings of children with cancer, providing a community where they feel seen, heard, and equipped to navigate their changing roles with confidence and resilience.
Our Values
Siblings-First
Every decision starts with siblings. We prioritize their experiences, voices, and needs at the center of everything we do.
Authenticity
We’ve been there before. We speak to siblings honestly and directly, without minimizing their experiences or overcomplicating their realities.
Universal Thinking
Supporting a sibling means understanding the entire family system. We consider the broader family dynamics to provide more meaningful and grounded support.
Board of Directors
Founder & Executive Director
Jolin Zhang
Hi all! My name is Jolin, the founder of Sibling Society. On behalf of our entire team, I'm thrilled to welcome you to our community! As a sibling of an 13-year-old sister who was diagnosed with Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, I created Sibling Society as a place where siblings of pediatric patients can come together to laugh, cry, and swap stories about everything from epic sibling battles to who really ate the last cookie.
Director of Operations
Sylvia Guo
Hi everyone, I’m Sylvia, one of the co-founders and director of operations of Sibling Society. As the sister of a 9 year-old, our big age-gap has led to a lot of responsibilities and valuable experiences. My brother has always been there for me during both joyful and stressful times, and I will always be paying him back with icecream and lots of love. It is my hope that Sibling Society will allow more siblings like us to meet and be there for each other, sharing our ups and downs, sibling style.
Director of Outreach
Melodie Zhang
Hi everyone, I’m Melodie, the Director of Outreach for Sibling Society. My brother is 4 years younger than me, and because of our small age-gap, teasing is often our way of expressing love—but deep down, we both know how important we are to each other. Siblings often carry complex emotions when facing each other’s stresses and changes, especially during something as life-changing as going through cancer treatment. Through Sibling Society, we hope to create a safe space where siblings with similar experiences can connect, share, and support one another.
Join Our Team
Volunteer as a Sibling Society blog writer, website worker, online and in-person event facilitator and more!
Partners & Sponsors
Learn about the organizations and companies that make our work possible through their generous support.
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Contact Us
Email us about partnering, sponsorships, volunteering or any general inquiries, we are here and we can’t wait to hear from you!
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