Oncology Psychosocial Services Program Resources

Books

This book provides clear explanations and practical advice for children ages 6-12 through warm and funny illustrations to help them make sense of cancer and its treatment.

This book features detailed and precise medical information about solid tumor childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, liver tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and bone sarcomas.

This is a book for siblings of children with cancer. The main character's world is turned upside down when his brother is diagnosed with leukemia, and he must deal with all the ways his own life changes as a result.

This is a story of a 9-year-old who has always enjoyed wearing hats. But when she loses her hair from cancer treatments, suddenly hats aren't so much fun anymore.

This delightfully illustrated picture book is for children (of all ages) battling cancer. It takes you through a child's true emotional frustrations from being in the hospital.

These beautifully illustrated and fun-to-read storybooks simplify and normalize complicated childhood conditions, like cancer.

Discover with Isabel that having cancer doesn't have to change who she is - a budding teenager and an awesome soccer princess.

This book invites readers to witness the physical and psychological effects of childhood cancer and chemotherapy as seen through the eyes of a mother. A portion of the proceeds from the book sale goes towards cancer research at CHOP.

Beautifully-illustrated oncology book written for children with leukemia and their parents. Offers a basic, medically accurate explanation of all phases of leukemia, including causes, effects, and treatments.


Camps

Camp Mak-A-Dream offers sessions for cancer patients and their siblings. It's located in Gold Creek, Montana.

It's a kosher camp for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, located on 125 acres in Glen Spey, New York. The camp is one of the many services provided by Chai Lifeline.

It serves children between the ages of 7 and 15 who have been diagnosed with cancer or serious blood disorders. Located in Ashford, Connecticut, this camp is free.

This is an overnight camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. It's run by CHOP's Oncology division staff, and provides 24-hour on-site medical coverage.


Coping

Coping Space provides a variety of resources to assist children and their families in dealing with the stresses of a cancer diagnosis.

Screen grab from Guided Relaxation for Kids video

These guided videos and audio recordings can help create a more peaceful and restful state of mind for parents, caregivers, and adolescent/young adult patients.


Educational and Social Resources for Patients and Families

If you are an adolescent or young adult (AYA) with cancer, you probably have many questions. We understand that not everyone wants to ask their questions out loud, so we’ve compiled a list of those that are often asked.


For Patients

The Cellie Cancer Coping Kit, developed by experts at CHOP, includes a stuffed toy, cancer coping cards, and a book for caregivers.


Hair Loss

Girl on the Go provides a private in-home wig consultations for girls and woman going through chemotherapy.

Hair Club for Kids provides free hair restoration for children battling hair loss as a result of illness.

It provides hats with human or synthetic hair attached for girls with hair loss due to chemotherapy.

Locks of Love offers hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Wigs for Kids is a non-profit organization that provides wigs and accepts hair donations.


Podcasts

Zamiyha smiling

Listen in to podcast where adolescents and young adults (AYA) from the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia discuss their experiences with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Two young adults, Vinnie Cent and Sierra Missed, talk about LIFE, their experiences with cancer, and ways to elevate the young adult cancer community through conversation. Bon Appetit!


Support and Education Groups

It offers support groups, lectures, workshops and social events as a supplement to medical care in a warm and welcoming home-like setting.


Videos

mother reading to daughter

Social workers discuss the complexities of caregiving, how to have caring, honest conversation with members of the family around the topic of caregiving, and offer tips on how to manage the unique role of the caregiver.

"Paul and the Dragon" is a powerful 25 minute video created to help children understand the world of childhood cancer in a safe way, with humor but also with truth.

In this webinar, art therapist and licensed professional counselor, Jennifer Lemisch discusses the fears and worries of children who have lost a sibling, and offers guidance to parents in this situation.

In this webinar CHOP experts discuss neuropsychological evaluation, the legal rights of students, and how to support your child as he returns to learning.


Websites

2bme is home to a collection of short articles for teens with cancer. Topics include handling non-medical issues like diet, body image and relationships.

The American Cancer Society website offers helpful information about childhood cancer diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and resources.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the voice of the world’s cancer physicians. ASCO’s patient information website (Cancer.Net) brings the expertise and resources of ASCO to people living with cancer and those who care for and care about them.

Cancer Hope Network provides free and confidential one-on-one emotional support to cancer patients, their caregivers, and their family members.

It lets you create a free website that acts as a virtual diary of your child's cancer experience. Update it at anytime, from anywhere, to keep your family and friends up to date.

Chai Lifeline offers programs that address the emotional, social and financial needs of seriously ill children and their families.

It offers support to those who find themselves in the most challenging situation of their lives — battling a cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment.

CureSearch for Children's Cancer contains a wealth of information on diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer and the late effects of cancer therapy. CureSearch provides educational and coping resources to families affected by childhood cancer.

The Education Law Center of NJ advocates for children with learning disabilities to ensure that all children have access to a quality public education.

The Education Law Center of PA advocates for children with learning disabilities to ensure that all children have access to a quality public education. To contact the local office by phone, call 215-238-6970.

The FMLA allows eligible employees up to a total of 12 work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period in order to care for their seriously ill child.

Offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors a free outdoor adventure experience designed to empower them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis.

Lotsa Helping Hands lets you create a free, private, online community to organize family, friends, neighbors and colleagues during times of need.

It offers live and archived webinars, interactive discussions on topics related to grief, written resources and additional websites, and online activities for children, teens and families.

NCI's website includes links to information about treatment, clinical trials, testing and research.

It offers bereavement kits in English and Spanish and valuable reading materials such as After a Loved One Dies, When Families Grieve (Muppets DVD) and more.

OncoLink is a website maintained by the Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. It features a wide variety of information on adult and pediatric cancers.

Sara's Smiles Foundation provides a variety of resources to entertain, comfort and educate children with cancer.

It's a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing personalized songs for children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges, free of charge.

It provides information to families in PA regarding special health issues and community resources. It also links families facing similar experiences together.

Volunteers from Special Spaces interview the child and family and in one day of work, create a dream room at no cost to the family.

It provides entertainment, education and family activities to help children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses to cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness.

Team IMPACT is a nonprofit chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Young Adult Cancer Connection offers young adults (18-39) with cancer experience, whether in remission or in treatment, and their caregivers a forum to work through the issues unique to this age group.