Therapy program for Children and their families touched by Cancer on International Childhood Cancer Day

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Barbara Gruner, MD, draws with Addison Raelyn Nichols, 4, in the Children's Blood Disorders and Cancer Unit at the University of Missouri Children's Hospital.

New Delhi, February 15, 2018: International Childhood Cancer Day is observed on February 15th.  Every year it emphasises on the need for concerted global actions to address the growing challenge posed by cancer. Globally, childhood and adolescent cancer is threatening to overtake infectious diseases, as one of the highest causes of disease-related mortality in children. 

Cancer brings with it enormous psychological, behavioural, learning and adjustment issues and concerns for children touched by the diseases. Parents are thus challenged not only with these difficulties but also have to cope with their own emotional distress. Understanding emotional needs of its patients, HCG was the first centre in the country to start the Psycho-oncology service. Psycho-oncology is a subspecialty of oncology that offers Psychological and emotional supports to cancer patients and their families.

HCG as a leading provider of Comprehensive Cancer Care on the occasion of the International Childhood Cancer Day, on 15th February, 2018 is launching the Emotional Support Group Therapy Program for Children and their families touched by cancer.

The Children’s Support Group Therapy program is called CHEERS which stands for Children’s Health, Emotional, and Educational Restoration Services). The Parents of children with cancer, the Support Group is called EMPATHY and it stands for Emotional Management of Parents And Train them to Handle their Young. 

The Support Group Therapy Programs is unique and the first of its kind in the city as it is run and managed by professionals. The professionals involved in the program are Paediatric oncologists, Psycho-oncologist, Dietician, Yoga therapist, Physiotherapist; swallow specialist, pain management team, other oncology specialists, Art therapist, and teacher volunteers. The Children and parent volunteers enrolled in the program are screened for emotional/ psychological well-being and trained by the Psycho-oncologist to volunteer in the Support Group Therapy Program. 

The CHEERS program also offers daily activities for children such as hospital schooling, dance and movement therapy, art therapy, yoga, medical clowning etc.

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)