Child Life and Expressive Arts Therapy
A cancer diagnosis is a traumatic, life-changing event at any age. Kids especially may have trouble understanding what their diagnosis means. They need their hospital stays explained to them. They ask why they have to undergo sometimes-painful treatments.
Child life therapists are available to help families understand and manage stressful hospital experiences.
Expressive art therapists use art, puppetry, writing and drama to help kids and family members express fears, worries, hopes and dreams. Expression helps patients externalize their energy and allow their bodies to heal. Families are better able to cope with their cancer experiences.
Music therapists address physical, psychological, cognitive and social functions through a variety of music-related activities. Benefits of music therapy include improved sleep and appetite, pain relief and increased relaxation.
The Children’s Hospital Foundation funds all child life services.
Early symptoms of neuroblastoma can mimic other common childhood illnesses
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of childhood cancer that starts in the nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, and usually affects infants and children under age 5. The average age of diagnosis is 18 [...]
Read Full Story
Children with cyclic neutropenia are at higher risk of developing severe bacterial infections
Cyclic neutropenia is a rare disorder that happens when the blood doesn’t have enough neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that aids in fighting bacteria. “In cyclic neutropenia, a child experiences regular episodes of […]
Read Full Story
Boy fighting cancer has passion for giving back
Methotrexate and vincristine are complex words for most, but 7-year-old Beckham Goodale knows them and can pronounce them just as well as any doctor. They’re words no child should know, but this is the reality [...]
Read Full Story
A 39-year career of discovery as kids with cancer and blood disorders were able to thrive
Thirty-nine years ago, Diane Burnett, APRN, wasn’t sure she was cut out to care for kids with cancer and blood disorders. Give it a year, she figured. “I didn’t know if I would be a […]
Read Full Story
Questions to ask about a child’s cancer diagnosis
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming for the patient and their entire family. Parents likely will have many questions, especially in the beginning, and providers encourage them to be inquisitive […]
Read Full Story
Early symptoms of neuroblastoma can mimic other common childhood illnesses
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of childhood cancer that starts in the nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, and usually affects infants and children under age 5. The average age of diagnosis is 18 [...]
Read Full Story
Children with cyclic neutropenia are at higher risk of developing severe bacterial infections
Cyclic neutropenia is a rare disorder that happens when the blood doesn’t have enough neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that aids in fighting bacteria. “In cyclic neutropenia, a child experiences regular episodes of […]
Read Full Story
Boy fighting cancer has passion for giving back
Methotrexate and vincristine are complex words for most, but 7-year-old Beckham Goodale knows them and can pronounce them just as well as any doctor. They’re words no child should know, but this is the reality [...]
Read Full Story
A 39-year career of discovery as kids with cancer and blood disorders were able to thrive
Thirty-nine years ago, Diane Burnett, APRN, wasn’t sure she was cut out to care for kids with cancer and blood disorders. Give it a year, she figured. “I didn’t know if I would be a […]
Read Full Story
Questions to ask about a child’s cancer diagnosis
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming for the patient and their entire family. Parents likely will have many questions, especially in the beginning, and providers encourage them to be inquisitive […]
Read Full Story
