Program areas at Friends of Kids with Cancer
Recreational support for children with Cancer: this includes parties, special events, toys, snacks, gift cards, special gifts, and entertainment. Special events may include experiences to help our children and families create memories. Entertainment may include movies, games, craft supplies, computers, ipads, and electronic games. Snacks and some meals are provided for patients and families during treatment.
Educational support for children with Cancer: we provide a cost free educator and educational toys and games assistance to our children through individual, small group and home tutorial sessions. Educational testing is also performed to determine the effects of the treatments and to provide a benefit to assist in the child's return to mainstream education. In 2022 we provided 1,498 hours of individual tutoring sessions with patients.college scholarships are provided to qualified pediatric Cancer survivors. In 2022, we awarded 22 scholarships to college-aged students who are Cancer survivors or in treatment for Cancer.
Emotional support for children with Cancer: art therapy, play therapy, music therapy, and talk therapy are available through a certified therapist to provide a means of communication and release of emotions by the patients. Parents and siblings of patients are also helped with available support groups. In 2022, we provided 110 hours of play therapy sessions and 798 hours of music therapy sessions for patients and siblings. There were also 586 hours of individual counseling sessions and 171 hours of group and family counseling sessions for patients and siblings.