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> Resources
The purpose of this information guide is to help parents or children
with cancer find information sources appropriate for their
children. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to provide
starting points for information seeking. The materials can be found at the Patient Education Resource Center
of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in room B1-361.
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Last updated 4/05
Pamphlets
Free copies available in the Patient Education Resource Center B1-361
American Cancer Society. "What Happened to You, Happened to Me."
For teenagers.
American Cancer Society. "When Your Brother or Sister has Cancer." For ages 8-14.
Landier, Wendy, Scott Tamara. "My Central Line Book." For ages 3-6.
Coloring books
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I'm Having a Bone Marrow Transplant.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sam Fights Back.
Books
Available for loan in the Patient Education Resource Center B1-361
(list arranged by age)
For all:
Klett, Amy. Amazing Hannah: Look at Everything I Can Do! Candlelighters; 2002.
Gordon, Apel Melanie. Let's Talk About: When Kids Have Cancer. New York: Power Kids Press, 1999.
A book for kids with cancer ages 4-8.
Krisher, Trudy. Kathy's Hats. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman and Co., 1992.
Beautifully illustrated story of a girl with cancer focuses on hair loss.
For ages 4-10.
Cranston, Lynda. You and Your Cancer: A Child's Guide. Hamilton, Ontario: BC Decker Inc, 2001.
Text, illustrations and activity pages aimed at children with cancer.
Keene, Nancy & Romain, Trevor. Chemo, Craziness &
Comfort: My Book About Childhood Cancer. Candlelighters;
2002.
Trillin, Alice. Dear Bruno. New York: The New Press, 1996.
A letter from an adult cancer survivor to a 12 year old boy with cancer.
Field, Molly. Through and Beyond: 13 Teenagers Share Their Battles with Cancer. Wicasset, ME: Molly
Field, 1998.
Divided to chapters by topic 13 teenagers
talk about their experiences with cancer such as: dealing
with the diagnosis, going back to school, peer relations,
hair loss, choosing a port-a-cath vs. a central line, support
systems, self-esteem etc. For ages 13-18.
Gill, Kathleen, A. Teenage Cancer Journey.
Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Press, 1999.
Insight into the special issues facing young people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Struggle with
philosophical questions, peers, hair loss, looks, family and balancing school responsibilities while
undergoing treatment.
Bone Marrow Transplants
Lilleby, Kathryn U.
Stevie's New Blood.
Pittsburgh: Oncology Nursing Press, 2000.
This book is intended for children who are
undergoing a bone marrow transplant. It explains the process
with lovely illustrations and two text levels: a large print
version for kids ages 6-10, and a small
print version for ages 10-17. Younger children
can follow the illustrations.
Crowe, Karen. Me and My Marrow: a Kid's
Guide to Bone Marrow Transplants. Deerfield, IL: Fugisawa
Healthcare, Inc., 1999.
Explanations and advice on coping with a BMT
for
ages 10-18. Full-text available on-line at
www.astellas.us/meandmymarrow.pdf. Free
copies available at the Patient Education Resource Center
on level B-1
Brain tumors
Rose, Ellen.
Ellen Rose's Story. Boston: Brain Tumor Society.
Written by a five-year-old girl about her
life with a brain tumor. It describes her surgery, radiation
and chemotherapy. For ages 5-9.
Rosenberg, Doris. Talking Lady Presents:
Having a Brain Tumor. Toronto, Canada: Talking Lady Press,
1996.
An illustrated book for kids diagnosed with
a brain tumor. Explains brain tumors and brain surgery.
Emphasized the importance of expression, artistic and verbal.
For kids ages 5-10.
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association,
1994.
The story of an eleven year old by boy diagnosed
with a brain tumor.
For ages 9-14.
Leukemia
Wescott, Patsy.
Living with Leukemia.
Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn Publishers, 2000.
The story of three kids who have leukemia.
Describes the disease and suggests ways of coping. For
children ages 4-12.
Moehn, Heather. When Someone You Know Has
Leukemia. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000.
Overview of leukemia for kids ages
12-18. Intended for friends and relatives of patients.
Apel, Melanie Ann. Coping with Leukemia.
New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2001.
Includes medical explanations of leukemia
and tips from teenage patients. Has a chapter for teenage
siblings and discussion of the emotional side of living
with cancer.
Videotapes
Available for loan in the Patient Education Resource
Center B1-361
For all:
My Hair's Falling Out...Am I Still Pretty?
Necessary Pictures Film & Media, 1992 (22 minutes).
Live action, dance, animation, and music tell
the story of two hospital roommates living with childhood
cancer. The story is told from the point of view of a physician
who had cancer as a child, explaining diagnostic tests,
hospital procedures, and the effects of chemotherapy and
hair loss.
Brain tumors
American Brain Tumor Association. Alex's
Journey. Des Plains, IL: American Brain Tumor Association,
2000 (30 minutes).
Based on the book mentioned above, the video
focuses on the diagnosis and surgery. For ages 9-14.
Leukemia
American Cancer Society. Why Charlie Brown,
Why? Atlanta, GA: ACS, 1990 (30 minutes). For
young children.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. A Little
Help From My Friends: Living with Leukemia and Lymphoma.
New York: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
For children ages 6-12.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Making the
Grade: Back to School After Cancer for Teens. New York:
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1999 (20 minutes).
Electronic Resources
KIDZ with Leukemia: a Space Adventure
An interactive CD-ROM for children with leukemia
(ages 4-11), their families, friends and
classmates. Available in the pediatric infusion area.
Starbright
An interactive computer network where hospitalized
kids from across the nation can interact with a community
of their peers, helping each other cope with day-to-day
realities of living with an illness. Accessible in the pediatric
infusion area and 7west.
Web Resources
Cancer
Characters
Developed by a pediatric-oncology nurse, these
characters help children ages 3-6 understand
cancer and it's treatment.
Blood
Count Information for Kids with Cancer
Characters, illustrations and explanations
for kids ages 5-9.
CancerSourceKids
An interactive site offers age-appropriate
information and explanations on cancer, as well as art,
games, and a feature that allows the user to maintain an
online journal. The site is divided to three sections: one
for kids ages 6-12, one for teens and one for parents.
Listservs
4YOUTH
is the e-mail discussion group for children/teens who are
cancer survivors. Hosted by the
Association
of Cancer Online Resources ACOR.
You may also subscribe to the listserv from
OncoLink's automated listserv subscriber
- Go to www.oncolink.com
[note: this link will open in a second browser
window for your convenience]
- Click on "Coping with Cancer"
- Click on "Support"
- Click on "ListServ"
- Click on " OncoLink Automated E-mail Discussion
Group Subscriber"
- Select 4YOUTH from the list
This list does not constitute an endorsement of the information contained in the resources.
It is provided for educational purposes only and are not intended for nor engaged in rendering medical
advice or professional services. The information provided through this list and its links should not be
used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care.
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