Supporting Students Through a Cancer Journey

Supporting Students

Tips

Through a Cancer Journey

Support resources

Student's team and their roles

Ways to support- General

Common Side Effects of treatment

Additional Educational Tools

Types of Support Programs

There are three main types of support programs available to patients. They will hear about some of these at the hospital but the more resources the better in most cases. Financial: provides financial support / pays household bills while in treatment Gift & Wish Program: Joy Jars (sends a jar of small toys and activity items each month), Make a Wish (grants wishes), Project Outrun (lets patients create their own custom sneakers)

• Mental Health/ Emotional Support
• Financial Support
• Group and support groups
• Gifts, Joy Jars, support items, and wishes

Joy Jars- Never Give Up Foundation

Do's and Don'ts in Conversation

• DO: Empathize and recognize you may not know what they are going through but you will stand by them.
• DO: Let the family/ ST guide the conversation
• DO: Sometimes saying "you don't have to be alone when you go through this journey" is more powerful than" I'm Sorry"
• DON'T: Apologize
• DON'T: Say things like "I can't even imagine"

Possible Side Effects/ Academic Difficulties Resulting from Treatment

Treatment can have lasting impacts on childhood cancer patients which may last their lifetime. There are four main categories of effects: Cognitive, Social, Emotional, and Physical. Here are some commone effects to be aware of in the educational setting.

What Can I Do?

Step One: 504 Referral

The first step after hearing of a diagnosis is to complete a 504 Plan Referral Loop in the School Nurse Reach out to your AP/ Student's HRT and other teachers if appropriate Refer to social worker Share applicable resources

CHOP's Guide to Supporting Cancer Patients in the Classroom

Helpful Educational Materials through Ashland Ink

American Childhood Cancer Organization Educational Materials

Memorial Sloan Kettering Materials for Teachers

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-School Guide

For Parents& Caregivers: Momcology

Financial Resource for PA Families: ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund

HOPE Portal: Links to hundreds of resources throughout the country

Common Team Members

At School: Counselor, 504 Case Manager, Teachers, Nurse, AP, Principal and School Social Worker Outside of School: Medical Team, Pyschologist, Anthesthesiologist, Surgeon, Child Life Specialist, School Social Worker, outside organizations

Students and families facing a cancer diagnosis have a whole team of people at the hospital, in the community, and at school that are supporting and cheering them on through the journey. This doesn't mean they won't sometimes feel alone or misunderstood. Being there and providing support and a listening ear is important throughout the entire treatment protocol.

How can I support my student?

There are three main things that you can do to support your student through their own or a family member's cancer diagnosis though this presentation focuses on a student diagnosis. 1) Listen (provide empathy and acknowledgement) 2) Emphathize don't apologize 3) Establish a sense of normalcy by advocating for continuation of education during treatment

• Listen to the student's story and anything they want to share...let them (or the family member) guide the conversation
• Don't apologize for the diagnosis instead offer empathy like the example below:
• "I may not know exactly what you are going through, but I will be here whenever you need me"

What to Say to Family Experiencing Cancer

One Day at a Time

Pediatric cancer guide from the prespectives of parent and child going through the journey. Focuses on the teen population and specific struggles this patient group experiences.

Our medication shortage story

• Conversation Tips
• Support Tips
• First-Person Experience
• Many Resources Mentioned