A family is never prepared to hear that their child has cancer.  It can feel overwhelming and presents unexpected psychological, emotional and social challenges.  The Childhood Cancer Center at CCMC offers a variety of supportive services to help families navigate the road ahead.

As members of the multidisciplinary team, social workers and child life specialists provide families the support, resources, education and guidance to adapt to the challenges a cancer diagnosis brings.  Understanding each family’s unique strengths and abilities, these disciplines strive to help families find their “new normal” as they move through cancer treatment and beyond. 

Our Services
Services provided include:

• Supportive counseling to foster adjustment to diagnosis, treatment and hospitalization
• Preparation and support for medical procedures
• Emotional support and crisis counseling
• Connection to a variety of hospital and community resources
• Facilitate school re-entry and home instruction
• Community outreach and education
• Sibling support
• Education on the possible “late effects” of cancer treatment
• Support and resources for palliative care and end of life issues
• Advocacy

The goal of the psychosocial staff is to optimize each child and family’s well being during cancer treatment and beyond.  We offer hope and healing in an environment where play and laughter are as vital as chemotherapy.

Helpful Resources for Patients & Families
(Please refer to the sections for Adolescents & Young Adults for additional resources.)

Pediatric Cancer Information

Cure Search
www.curesearch.org
Cure Search represents the combined efforts of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF), two organizations united by a common goal:  finding a cure for childhood cancer.  Excellent information from diagnosis to the end of treatment and beyond.

National Cancer Institute – Childhood Cancer Home Page
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/childhoodcancers
Information about pediatric cancers:  treatment, clinical trials, research, statistics, and other topics from the National Cancer Institute.

Oncolink
www.oncolink.com
Good information on a variety of adult and pediatric cancers.

Pennsylvania State University Children’s Hospital Oncology Website
www.hmc.psu.edu/hematology/homeguide
A great resource for patients and their families developed by Penn State University Children’s Hospital.  Click on “Our Program” drop down box to select a category.

National Institute of Health – Young People with Cancer:  A Handbook for Parents
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/youngpeople
Discusses the most common types of childhood cancer, treatments and side effects, and issues that may arise when a child is diagnosed with cancer.  Offers medical information and practical tips gathered from parents.  Includes a section on talking to children about cancer.

Pediatric Oncology Resource Center
www.acor.org/ped-onc
A one-stop center for parents of children with cancer by parents of children with cancer.

Family Programs and Financial Assistance

Camp Sunshine
www.campsunshine.org
Retreat in Casco, Maine for kids with cancer and their families. 

Cancer Care, Inc.
www.cancercare.org
Provides publications, counseling and limited financial assistance with parking and mileage.
(203) 854-9911
1-800-813-HOPE (4673)

Circle of Care
www.circleofcarefoundation.org
Offers a sense of community and support to ease the isolation and helplessness parents and caregivers experience at diagnosis and throughout treatment.

Hannah’s Gift
www.hannahsgiftinc.org
Provides quarterly packets to families treated at CCMC to defer the cost of some treatment-related expenses including parking and gas.

HUSKY
www.huskyhealth.com
HUSKY is Connecticut’s health care program for kids.  It provides free or low cost insurance for children less than 19 years of age.  Eligibility for HUSKY is based only on income.
You may apply by phone at 1-877-CT-HUSKY (284-8759).
For additional questions, call the HUSKY Health Info Line at 1-800-434-7869. 

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
The organization provides publications, information and referrals, financial assistance, school re-entry assistance, and support groups.
Connecticut Chapter – Meriden, CT
(203) 379-0445
1-888-282-9465
National Information Line:  1-800-955-4572

National Children’s Cancer Society
www.children-cancer.com
Provides financial assistance, education and emotional support.  New online “Care to Share” cancer connection.
1-800-532-6459 

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov
Contact this agency for information on receiving disability income for your child.
1-800-772-1213 

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
www.holeinthewallgang.org
A very special camp for children with cancer located in Ashford, CT.

Time for Life
www.timeforlife.org
Time for Life is a nonprofit organization in Connecticut that provides year-round activities for children with cancer and their families.  Call to get on their mailing list.(860) 214-4345

Websites to Help Your Family
Band-Aids & Black Boards:  When Chronic Illness Goes to School
www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/
Great site for children dealing with medical issues.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
www.candlelighters.org
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is committed to their mission of providing support, education and advocacy for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors of childhood/adolescent cancer and their families.

Caring Bridge
www.caringbridge.com
Allows you to set up a free website that you can update with your child’s condition.  This can help to alleviate high phone bills and keep extended family members updated.

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
www.cbtf.org
Their mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and the long term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education and advocacy to families and survivors.
1-866-228-HOPE (4673) 

HipHat
www.hatswithhair.com
“Cool hats with hair and wig alternative headwear.”
1-877-447-4287

Make a Child Smile
www.makeachildsmile.org
This site offers cards and packages to children dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses. 

Never-Ending Squirrel Tales
www.squirreltales.com
Offers practical tips and encouragement for the parents of kids with cancer.  World famous guest book. 

Song of Love Foundation
www.songsoflove.org
Songs of Love is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating personalized songs for children with cancer.

Super Sibs
www.supersibs.org
Provides monthly packages to siblings to honor, support and recognize brothers and sisters or children with cancer.
1-866-444-SIBS (7247)

Cancer Source Kids
www.cancersourcekids.com
Kid/teen-friendly website which provides age appropriate information on cancer and coping.  Great for parents and siblings.

Starlight Starbright Foundation
www.slsb.org
Well done site that addresses teens coping with cancer in a fun format.

Information and Advocacy

American Brain Tumor Association
www.abta.org
Provides information, support, resources and links.  Large section on pediatric brain tumors.
2720 River Road
Des Plaines, IL  60018
1-800-886-2282 

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
News and information site with a specific area on childhood cancers.
1-800-492-7161

Cure for Lymphoma Foundation
www.cfl.org
Provides support and education for those that have been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
1-800-500-9976 

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
www.pbtfus.org
Supports the search for the cause and cure of childhood brain tumors through research.

National Brain Tumor Foundation
www.braintumor.org
This foundation provides information needed to cope with illness and funds research.  It also includes resources, frequently asked questions, treatments and rehabilitation, clinical trials and tumor types.
1-800-934-CURE (1873)

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
www.nccam.nih.gov
Website from the National Institute of Health.

Bone Marrow Transplant 

Blood & Marrow Transplant Newsletter
www.bmtnews.org
Serves the needs of persons facing marrow or stem cell transplants.

Bone Marrow Foundation
www.bonemarrow.org
Provides financial assistance, education and support to those facing transplants.
1-800-365-1336

Children’s Organ Transplant Association
www.cota.org
Provides support and financial assistance to children who need an organ, tissue or bone marrow transplant.  Offers guidance to families and communities with organizing fundraising activities.
1-800-366-2682

National Marrow Donor Program
www.marrow.org
Coordinates local donor drives, offers publications on donor searches, recruitment and being a donor.
209 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT  06032
(860) 678-5428
1-800-676-4545