Pediatric E-Bulletin

Our E-Bulletin provides program updates and resources for patients and families.

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Patient and Family Support Services

music therapist with a pediatric patient

When treatment requires in-patient stays or frequent outpatient visits, life can feel like it is on hold for everyone. We offer patients and families support services that limit the disruptions a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis can cause and ease the patient’s transition back to their lives once treatment is complete.

    Returning to school after a prolonged hospital stay can be a difficult and emotional experience. Our Back-to-School Program and School Liaison Program help our patients transition back to school by educating classmates, teachers, and school administration through in-person counseling and routine school visits.

    Our resource centers, accessible from the treatment areas at Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, offer educational materials and activities for patients and families. Each resource center provides access to reference materials, support programs, and a variety of fun age-appropriate activities for patients and siblings.

    Our Sibling Program provides support to school-age and adolescent siblings of patients receiving extended care at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's. Recognizing that childhood cancer impacts the entire family, our program provides a range of events, activities, and emotional support services for siblings.

    Just for Teens provides programs for teens and young adults with cancer at the Jimmy Fund Clinic and Boston Children's Hospital. This resource offers activities and events both inside and outside of the hospital so that patients have creative ways to pass the time and can meet other teens who are going through similar experiences. 

    A childhood illness affects the whole family. Many parents find themselves overwhelmed and uncertain about how to navigate treatment and the changes it will bring. Parents Together helps parents of children treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center cope with treatment by providing resources and guidance related to areas like managing side effects and supporting siblings.

    Our Pediatric Resource Program provides resource assistance for eligible families whose children are receiving treatment at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The program helps families access concrete resources; identifies local, regional, and federal assistance programs; and serves as a patient and family advocate between Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s and the resource community.

    Serious illness can impact patients and families in a number of different ways, and the effects can be felt long after treatment ends. Our clinical support services for survivorship, fertility preservation, palliative care, cancer risk assessment, and psychosocial care are led by trained professionals and doctors and tailored specifically to the needs of our patients.

    Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All of our buildings are wheelchair accessible, and parking assistance is available. In addition, our cancer educational materials are available in large print and audiotape format.

    Many of our patients are eligible to use The RIDE, which provides transportation, including lift-equipped vans, for people with physical and mental disabilities that prevent them from using public transportation.

    For more information, call the Dana-Farber ADA coordinator at 617-582-7100 or the Boston Children’s Hospital ADA coordinator at 617-355-8917.

    We offer spiritual consultation from a variety of perspectives, including interfaith, Islamic, Jewish, Protestant, and Roman Catholic faiths.