The aim of this article is to explore the meaning of hope and non-attachment to outcome for parents challenged by their child’s cancer diagnosis. From the perspective of Dr. Carl Simonton’s therapeutic approach, not only are patient’s needs addressed, but also those of their support persons, and this approach is particularly applicable to parents caring for children with cancer. Simonton’s concepts of hope and non-attachment to outcome are presented and contrasted with so-called false hopelessness and the conspiracy of positive thinking. Empirical research demonstrating the importance of hope in the attitude of those parents caring for a sick child is reviewed and discussed.