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Patient and Family Support Service sponsors
Families Facing Cancer, a program with particular emphasis on resources
and programs for children who have a parent or other adult family member confronting cancer. The program offers:
- A resource kit with tools to assist patients and caregivers in talking with children about cancer. Developmentally appropriate resources
and activity workbooks are included to help children and adolescents understand and cope. These kits are available at the
Patient Education Resource Center and the
Practical Assistance Center.
- Interactions with parents to discuss developmentally based language and suggestions for talking with children about cancer related
information, concerns about parenting while ill and interactive projects for the family to enhance expression and sharing of feelings.
- The "Hand in Hand" bead program which recognizes and affirms children during the cancer journey of an adult family member. The beads
symbolically represent special moments shared with children and acknowledge individual qualities and positive coping abilities. This program
is similar to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital "Hope Beads" program for pediatric families.
- Saturday morning Cancer Center "Come & Visit" Tours planned for children of adult patients. The tours are offered six times per year.
In addition to the tour, an activity and refreshments are included.
Other components of the Families Facing Cancer program to be developed and implemented in 2013 are:
- Expanded selections of Patient Education Resource Center books and materials about parenting while ill and the support of children.
Choices of developmentally appropriate books for children will also be available.
- Presentations by guest speakers, for patients and caregivers, relevant to parenting and supporting children.
- Partnerships with schools and community programs.
- Special programs and events for children and families.
- Voices Gallery exhibits created by families in collaboration with Art Therapy.
- Cancer Center and community service projects for children of adult patients.
- A website created especially for children and teens. The website will enable children who live long distances from the Health System to
learn about a family member's healthcare experiences via a virtual tour of the Cancer Center and other child friendly activities and information.
Please watch for announcements of upcoming programs offered by the Families Facing Cancer program. For further information contact
Sheila Morris, Program Coordinator at 877-907-0859 or via e-mail: rrbsem@med.umich.edu.
The Families Facing Cancer program is made possible by the generosity of Patient & Family Support Services donors.
updated 12/2012
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