Family and Patient Support
Cancer Support Services
CHKD recognizes the impact a diagnosis of cancer has on the entire family. Our program was developed to meet the needs of the patient and family as they journey through the cancer experience. This CHKD team consists of pediatric oncology physicians, specially trained oncology nurses, clinical oncology social workers, child life specialists, chaplains and educational specialists who help patients and families
cope with the stress of serious illness in the family. Specific programs are listed below.
Advocacy Day
Each June, families go to Washington, D.C. to help Cure Search, a national foundation
that supports childhood cancer, research and care, to advocate for increased research funding in the field of pediatric oncology. Families travel to our Capitol to meet with congressional representatives to tell their stories.
Bead Program
Beads are used to document the patient's cancer experience in a very unique way.
Bereavement Group
This group meets at night every other month and is open to all families who have had
a child or friend die.
Community Events
Involvement in community events provide the opportunity to reach out to our community.
Events such as Relay for Life, St. Baldrick's
Day and Light the Night are well attended.
Cancer families are also frequent participants in CHKD fund-raising events such
as the "Cure Kids Cancer" radiothon, the CMN Telethon and others.
Family Fun Night
A variety of activities held at night. Look for announcements.
Fathers' Group
The father's group provides an opportunity for fathers to meet and share their unique experiences. The group meets outside the hospital usually over dinner.
Lee's Friends
Lee’s Friends provides special activities for our families throughout the year including
Mother’s Day Out, Dad’s Night Out, attending a Tides baseball game and the Backpack Project.
Mom's Helping Mom's
Supportive group run by the mothers. Meets monthly at various locations outside
the hospital to discuss all aspects of the cancer experience.
Munch and Mingle
This parents' group meets once a month over lunch.
The group is open to parents with children in any stage of treatment. Please stop by.
School Reentry Program
Run by our educators and child life staff, this program attempts to ease the transition
back to school.
Survivor Day
Each year patients and families are invited to return for a day to celebrate survivorship. The event, part of National Childhood Cancer Survivor Day, is both educational and
fun.It is an opportunity to reconnect with staff and old friends.
The Teen Program
This program provides a comfortable atmosphere for teens between the ages of 13-18 to discuss and explore their feelings. Events vary throughout the
year.
XIBS (Extremely Important Brothers and Sisters)
XIBS is a program for siblings of oncology patients. The participants take a behind-the-scenes
tour of CHKD, providing an opportunity to see some of the treatment their siblings are receiving.
For more information on any of these events, please call (757) 668-7243.
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