clinical programs This year, more than 1,300 Canadian families will be called
into their doctor’s office to hear that their child has
cancer. Worry and sleepless nights follow along with months
of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, remissions and
relapses. Juggling a hectic hospital and work schedule can
be taxing on families that are already emotionally spent.
KCCFA is committed to the health of the whole family. Our
Clinical Support program provides funds for family
bereavement, counselling and education programs, a chaplain,
music therapist and the
Beaded Journey program.
music therapy
KCCFA’s music therapy program supports healing at all
levels—physical, emotional and spiritual. Research suggests
that music lowers blood pressure, enhances the body's own
immune responses and reduces anxiety among cancer patients.
Some oncologists prescribe it as a complement to medical
treatments. Singing and playing instruments, writing music
and recording CDs with a trained music therapist helps the
kids to see themselves beyond their illness and provides
hope for a better tomorrow.
beaded journey
The Beaded Journey is one of the many programs at the
hospital that KCCFA supports. Each colored bead marks a
turning point in the child’s trek against cancer—be it an
x-ray, MRI, echo test, chemo treatment or surgery. Stringing
the long necklace of beads gives kids a colorful centerpiece
around which they can express themselves and share their
experience with others.
family education
Families affected by childhood cancer need lots of
information to help them understand and cope with the
diagnosis. KCCFA’s Clinical Support program provides books
and resource materials for families and teaching materials
for schools to help teachers and students understand what a
classmate with cancer is going through.
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