Family Support: Resources for Patients and Families

Learning that your child has cancer or a blood disorder may seem like overwhelming news to take in. Someone who has never experienced it before may have little knowledge about childhood cancer or blood disorders.

Learn about your child's diagnosis. Gathering information about your child's cancer or blood disorder diagnosis is often helpful. Our social workers can guide you to helpful reading materials, such as books and pamphlets.
Visit our online health library

Social Workers. Our social workers can be a primary source of help. They can provide a good orientation to the clinic, are aware of special problems facing young patients and their families, provide information on how to get help from outside community agencies, and address many other nonmedical issues. 

Visit our social work office in the outpatient clinic

Child Life Specialists. Talking to children about their cancer or blood disorder can be difficult, especially if your child is scared or afraid of the doctor's office. Our child life specialists know how to speak to our patients at an age-appropriate level so they know what to expect. Learn more

Art Therapist. The Faris Foundation Art Therapist uses art to support the social, emotional, psychological, physical, and developmental needs of children and their families from diagnosis through treatment. In art therapy sessions a variety of materials may be used including painting, drawing, clay, sculpture, mixed media and digital media to help children and their families process their medical experiences.

Learn more

Arts and Activities. Our Psychosocial Programs provide a number of activities for patients to participate in:

Develop a strong support network. Parents say that as time passes, dealing with the cancer or blood disorder diagnosis becomes easier. Some parents believe this because they understand it better and because friends and family are lending their support. Talking to other families who have been dealing with a similar disease can also be a positive step. A strong support network for children and parents facing cancer and blood disorders spans the country, with local and national parents groups, support groups for children and their siblings, organizations that deal with education, and other branches.

Advice from parents of children with cancer and blood disorders