Toronto ( CNN ) -- It was confirmation of her worst fears : The lump Audrey Guth found on her breast turned out to be cancer . `` When you get the news that you have cancer , as a mom your life turns upside down , '' Guth said . `` The first thing you think about ( is ) your children . '' Fortunately for Guth , her adult children could support themselves while she underwent treatment . But she quickly learned that not all mothers were as lucky . `` I saw so many moms sitting there with their children on their laps , pulling their clothing , '' Guth said . `` I thought , 'This is not a place for children . ' `` With a background running a nanny agency , Guth knew she could help . In 2008 , she started the Nanny Angel Network , a nonprofit that provides free in-home childcare for mothers who have cancer . `` Mothers who are diagnosed with cancer are caregivers who suddenly find themselves in need of care , '' said Guth , 59 . `` Our program allows mothers the freedom to take a rest , because that 's what they need the most to get better . '' Since 2008 , her organization has helped more than 300 moms in and around Toronto . 'Nanny Angels ' to the rescue . Guth 's program is staffed by a team of volunteers who have professional backgrounds in childcare . Many of them are cancer survivors . Nearly half of the moms they help are single parents . It 's one of the many reasons she believes the organization is so important . `` When you 're a single mom , your income is decreased , and you often ca n't afford childcare , '' Guth said . It 's a challenge Shauna Barnett knows all too well . A single mother to a 4-year-old son , Barnett has battled stage 2 breast cancer since September . She underwent a double mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy to treat her disease . `` If I 'm having a bad day , sometimes I ca n't lift my head off the pillow , '' said Barnett , 38 . `` As a mother , I feel so bad to have to say to my son , 'Please go play with your toys so mommy can rest . ' He 's only 4 , he does n't understand . '' Do you know a hero ? Nominations are open for 2014 CNN Heroes . Once a week , Barnett and her son , Deshaun , get a visit from someone who does understand : Deshaun 's `` nanny angel , '' Ruth Van Es . `` We bake cookies and cakes . When it 's warm , we walk to the park . ( We ) play board games , read books , '' said Van Es , a cancer survivor . `` The main thing is to keep their minds off of the cancer and what is happening to mum . I feel like Mary Poppins . '' Barnett recently underwent her last round of chemo and says doctors have given her a positive prognosis . She is grateful to Guth 's program for making her cancer journey easier . `` The Nanny Angel Network is a Godsend , '' Barnett said . `` When Ruth comes to my home , it 's such a huge relief to have a chance to rest . '' Cancer changes everything . Last year , Guth expanded her services to help families with end-of-life care . `` When there is a death , we stick around to be there for the kids , '' Guth said . `` This is so essential for the child who just lost their mother and is trying to cope with that . '' Ultimately , Guth hopes her efforts give families the peace of mind that their children will be cared for during a difficult time . `` Cancer changes everything for you and for your entire family , '' she said . `` What we do wo n't take away their illness , but it will certainly make their journey a lot easier . '' With her own cancer now in remission , Guth considers herself lucky , and she plans to keep paying her good fortune forward to more moms in need . `` When we get the call that says , ' I finished my chemo ' or 'my nanny angel came today , and my child had the best time , ' that 's when we say , 'Yes , we 're really making a difference . ' `` Want to get involved ? Check out the Nanny Angel Network website at www.nannyangelnetwork.com and see how to help .
Nanny Angels Network provides free in - home childcare for mothers with cancer . A breast cancer survivor , Guth met women suffering from the disease while raising children . Today 's nonprofit provides them with ` ` nanny angels '' to help take care of the children . Do you want a hero ? Nominations are open for 2014 CNN Heroes .