Cancer Center Resources

patient with proton therapy

P.J. presented with a tumor measuring 3.7 x 3.5 x 7.7 cm in her right mandible. A biopsy of the tumor classified it as Ewing sarcoma. Radiation oncologist and medical director of the Roberts Proton Therapy Center Zelig Tochner, M.D., evaluated P.J.’s case and was quick to recommend proton therapy.

For Parents and Caregivers

Lizzy, Oncology patient

This Smartphone App was designed by the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) nursing team for parents and caregivers of children with cancer. Input from COG experts with recommendations for providing patient and family education was provided.

At CHOP’s Cancer Center, psychosocial services are considered a vital part of care. The psychosocial team and the medical team communicate and work together to address the needs of the whole child and the entire family. 


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.

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

After the Diagnosis: Helping My Family Cope is an information sheet for families from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that offers advice for coping with the stress 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.


Newsletters

Be among the first to know about our latest breakthroughs – big and small. Subscribe to receive Cancer Connections, a special e-newsletter for families that includes: updates on our research and treatment advances, patient stories, profiles of our clinicians, news about special Cancer Center events and much more!


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!


Reproductive Health

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has one of the best fertility preservation programs in pediatric oncology, offering choices for teenagers and young women as well as girls who have not yet experienced puberty.


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.


Tools for Success at School


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.

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.

Paulina

Take a tour of the Cancer Immunotherapy Program with Paulina, who traveled to Philadelphia from Mexico for T-cell therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Proton Therapy at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Proton therapy is an alternative to traditional radiation treatment. We've taken the lead in this breakthrough new treatment by investing in the Roberts Proton Therapy Center.


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 Childhood Cancer Organization® is the largest publisher and distributor of free childhood cancer books in the country.

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.

The Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation helps with urgent expenses to allow single parents to stay at their child's bedside during catastrophic illness.

It awards college scholarships to childhood cancer survivors who have demonstrated the ability to overcome the difficult challenges of cancer with determination and motivation.

Provides funds for Ewing's sarcoma and childhood cancer research; supports patients and families; and provides higher education scholarships.

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

The Cancer Survivors Network of the American Cancer Society offers discussion boards and chatrooms where you can meet your CSN "neighbors" and develop friendships. 

A non-profit organization providing college scholarships and prosthetics to benefit people diagnosed with cancer, receiving treatment for cancer or in remission.

CancerCare provides telephone, online and face-to-face counseling, support groups, education, publications and financial assistance to people facing a cancer diagnosis.

Offers specialized services for young adults, caregivers and those who have lost a loved one

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.

Helps teens with cancer navigate their chemotherapy treatments through education and by fostering connections with others through blogging and chat rooms.

Critical Mass is a coalition of organizations which have the collective goal to improve survival rates and quality of life for young adults with cancer.

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.

Supports pediatric cancer and leukemia research at three Delaware Valley hospitals, helping their world renowned scientists in the quest for a cure

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.

Ella's Retreat helps families with children receiving proton therapy at CHOP find and pay for a place to stay during treatment.

Group Loop provides online support, information and resources for teens living with cancer and their families.

Headcovers Unlimited has hats, turbans and wigs for hair loss and cancer patients.

NCBI's GeneReviews offers detailed information about hereditary paraganglioma-pheochronocytoma syndromes, disease characteristics, diagnostic testing, treatment options and more.

Is a one-on-one cancer support service that connects a person fighting cancer with a survivor who has beaten the same type of cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary (nonprofit) health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

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

The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship Fund awards annual scholarships to help improve the quality of life for those affected by leukemia/lymphoma.

The National Brain Tumor Society is committed to moving research toward new treatments, fighting for policies that improve lives, and providing information and resources.

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

The mission of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship is to advocate for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer.

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.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation provides free educational information about brain tumors, college scholarships and Ride for Kids motorcycle charity events.

The Pheo Para Troopers provides information and resources about pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma for patients and families.

Planet Cancer is an online community for people in their 20s and 30s with cancer.

Prepare to Live is the only nonprofit, charitable organization founded and managed by cancer survivors, dedicated to using the power of the Web and documentary-style filmmaking.

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

It's a national effort dedicated to the life-long concerns of brothers and sisters of people who have special health, developmental, or mental health concerns.

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.

It has raised more than $2 million for cancer research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and has provided assistance and support to countless families and individuals affected by cancer.

It provides free college admissions and financial aid counseling to high-school and college-aged children and their families who are dealing with issues related to pediatric cancer.

This website provides practical information from other young cancer spouses about the issues facing young couples fighting cancer.