Providing Mental Health Resources to Children Affected by Cancer
Resilience Campaign™ distributes psychosocial emotional support
for pediatric cancer patients, their siblings, and children of adult cancer patients.
The Need
In hospitals and outpatient programs, the Child Life team focuses on the psychosocial concerns that accompany hospitalization and other health care experiences. The child life specialist focuses on the strengths and sense of well-being of children, while doctors and nurses work to save their lives.
In most cases, Child Life Services are provided for free to patients — as they should be — but this also means that most programs have very little funding for resources.
Our Role
Resilience Campaign™ provides psychosocial emotional resources to support Child Life Specialists as they help children cope with the ongoing trauma of cancer treatment — both their own treatment or that of a sibling or parent.
Our book and calendar kits were developed with the assistance of therapists, Certified Child Life Specialists, social workers, and families affected by cancer.
The books are used to explain the science of cancer and how it will affect a child's day-to-day life. The reusable visual calendar shows the child what to expect from treatment and provides a sense of safety and security when everything is upside-down.
Results of our 2021 Survey of Certified Child Life Specialists
100%
rated psychosocial emotional support as vitally important.
100%
rated these kits as "absolutely" providing psychosocial emotional support.
75%
do not have the budget to purchase these resources, despite 100% having the need.
100%
need a kit for siblings in addition to a kit for patients themselves.
Patient Populations We Serve
Pediatric Cancer Patients
Cancer treatment is complicated and abstract, and kids need to understand — in real, concrete terms — what it means and how it will affect them. The book, What Happens When a Kid Has Cancer explains the science of cancer and how it affects a kid's day-to-day. The visual calendar is a tangible tool that helps them feel a sense of ownership over their treatment, providing a sense of agency during a time of chaos.
Siblings of Pediatric Patients
A child's cancer diagnosis affects all members of the family, and there are virtually no resources for siblings. As parents necessarily shift their attention to the ill child, their sibling is left feeling confused, scared, and oftentimes jealous. With a book and calendar just for siblings, these kids learn how their brother or sister's cancer treatment will affect their life, and the calendar reminds them that they're a priority and no one will forget them.
Children of Adult Patients
A parent's cancer diagnosis is a scary time for the whole family. What Happens When Someone I Love Has Cancer (also available in an "Advanced Cancer" edition) explains the science of cancer and how a parent's treatment affects a child's life. The visual calendar helps the child understand their parent's exhaustion levels and who will be managing day-to-day tasks such as school drop-off and pick-ups.
Tools and Programs
Bibliotherapy is a creative arts therapies modality that involves the reading of specific books with the purpose of healing. Mental health professionals of all kinds utilize books in their treatment, but at times have difficulty finding resources that meet their specific needs.
Resilience Campaign™ distributes books specifically for children affected by cancer. With an open, honest description of cells and how they turn into cancer, these books take the fear out of cancer and show kids what to expect out of treatment.
In hospitals and outpatient programs, the Child Life team focuses on the psychosocial concerns that accompany hospitalization and other health care experiences. The child life specialist focuses on the strengths and sense of well-being of children, while doctors work to save their lives.
In most cases, Child Life Services are provided for free to patients — as they should be — but this also means that most programs have very little funding for resources. Resilience Campaign™ was founded with the goal of meeting the needs of these programs by creating and distributing resources they need to do their jobs more easily.
These book and visual calendar kits build a foundation to prepare children for treatment, normalize their experience, and provide a sense of control at a time when everything is changing.
Pediatric Cancer Patients
Described by Child Life Specialists as "hands down the best book written for children with cancer," What Happens When a Kid Has Cancer, explains the science of cancer and its impact on a child's day-to-day life.
The corresponding calendar helps kids visually understand when they'll be home, and when they'll have treatment. They'll also have something to look forward to with the light activity stickers, which are fun activities that are easy enough to do from bed.
These book & calendar kits support the mental health of patients by helping children understand cancer and normalizing their treatment. As one Child Life Specialist said, "kids are scared, and this is a tool that every new patient needs to help build the foundation of what is to come."
During times of chaos, visual calendars provide a sense of security, safety, and autonomy for kids. They also help kids communicate better about their treatment and become a more active participant.
Siblings of Pediatric Patients
A child's cancer diagnosis affects all members of the family, and there are virtually no resources for siblings. As parents necessarily shift their attention to the ill child, their sibling is left feeling confused, scared, and oftentimes jealous.
With a book and calendar just for siblings, these kids learn how their brother or sister's cancer treatment will affect theirlife, and the calendar reminds them that they're a priority and no one will forget them.
As Shani T., CCLS and founder of childlifemommy.com said, "There’s a serious gap in care for the siblings of cancer patients. To have a resource like this is invaluable."
Children of Adult Patients
When a parent is diagnosed with cancer, their children are their main concern. By providing support to the children, we remove major worries from the patient as well, allowing them to focus on healing.
With a book and calendar just for kids of adult patients, kids learn what cancer actually is and how cancer treatment will affect their own life. The calendar reminds them that they're a priority and no one will forget them.
During times of chaos, visual calendars provide a sense of security, safety, and autonomy for kids.
Hospital Professionals Need Resources,
but Don't Have the Budget.
Make a donation today to get these resources — developed with the assistance of Certified Child Life Specialists, social workers, and families of patients — into the hands of the people who desperately need them.
$25 provides emotional support to a kid with cancer.
$50 supports the patient and their sibling.
By Mail
13203 SE 172nd Ave
STE 166, PMB1121
Happy Valley OR 97086
Online
Make a tax deductible donation.
Providing Mental Health Resources to Children Affected by Cancer
Life changes suddenly and dramatically for families facing cancer, leaving everyone — especially kids — feeling lost and scared. Resilience Campaign™ provides resources to help families talk honestly and understand what to expect, helping them feel more at peace and comfortable navigating the "new normal."
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