The best care for your child
Premium care is vital to a child’s recovery. It is research in action and without it, children with cancer would not survive. Treating a child with cancer demands a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week commitment of specialized care and Kids Cancer Care’s hospital programs ensure that Alberta children receive that care right here in Alberta.
This year, 237 Alberta families will learn 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. We are committed to the health of the whole family.
Improving care and outcomes through In-Hospital Programs
In our efforts to affect enhanced care and outcomes for children with cancer, Kids Cancer Care provides financial support for the following programs at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Beads of Courage
A tangible expression of their cancer journey, the Beads of Courage program helps young people understand their cancer experience. Each coloured bead marks a turning point in the child’s trek against cancer, be it needle, X-ray, MRI, echo test, chemo treatment or surgery. Stringing the long necklace with beads gives kids a colorful centerpiece around which they may express themselves and share their experience with others.
“The beads of courage help me keep a record of all that I have been through. It allows me to share my journey with others by talking about my beads. My beads make me feel proud of all the hard things I have made it through.” – 14 Year Old Patient
Recruiting, Retaining and Educating Health Care Professionals
Health care professionals have an incredible bond with their patients and are an essential part of the healing process. The recruitment, retention and education program for health professionals at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, enables the hospital to develop and retain highly skilled staff, who continually strive for excellence by improving their knowledge, then applying it in the clinical setting. The patients benefit because the quality of care they receive is based on best practice. Staff members who take part in educational conferences come back with a renewed strength of conviction, refreshed with deeper dedication and determination to bring excellence to their work.
“I love nursing. I love going to work. I always have. But, to have the opportunity to be educated further about something you truly are passionate about is a blessing. I feel motivated to learn, so I thank you deeply for this opportunity. I only hope to show my gratitude though paying it forward in giving back through my heart, head and hands.” – Nurse
Look Good, Feel Better
When cancer shatters your innocence and high-dose chemotherapy strips away your strength and vitality and, eventually, your hair, remembering who you are inside is vital. The Look Good, Feel Better program offers teenage girls a chance to explore and rediscover who they are while restoring their confidence from the inside out.
Volunteer cosmeticians lead the youth though an empowering session on how to manage the appearance-related side effects of their cancer treatments with makeup, wigs and funky headwear.
Bereavement Program
We know we can’t take away the pain of losing a child, but we can strive to ease it. Our Bereavement Program shows families they are not alone. In addition to counselling services, families receive the book When the Bough Breaks, followed by a bouquet of flowers on the first anniversary of the child’s passing.
Kids Cancer Care also offers bereavement programs such as Time to Remember out of our office.
“We always hear back from families following the delivery of the flowers. They consistently tell us how much it means to them that although their child is no longer physically coming to the hospital, their child is not forgotten.” – Social Worker
Family Education
Families affected by childhood cancer often have huge learning curves as they try to make sense of all the oncological and clinical terms. They also require lots of information to help them understand and cope with the diagnosis and their experience. Our Family Education program offers teaching, support and camaraderie for parents as their children journey through the experience of cancer.
Education resources such as a Friday morning parent support group (featuring topics such as Relaxation and Anxiety Reduction or Cancer 101, in which an oncologist meets with the support group to answer general questions from the parents), help families navigate the frightening world of childhood cancer in a supportive and informative community.
If you’d like more information regarding our hospital program, please contact Christine McIver.
Our programs
Kids Cancer Care offers a range of programs designed to address the immediate and long-term effects of cancer
CAMP AND OUTREACH
Empowering kids to navigate cancer from a place of strength
Kids Cancer Care offers year-round programs for kids, teens, parents and the whole family.
EDUCATION SUPPORT
Giving kids a solid foundation for life
Our education programs are designed to help your child develop learning skills and strategies while supporting Mom and Dad.
HOSPITAL SUPPORT
Enhancing hospital care
Our hospital programs help Alberta children receive the care they need right here in Alberta, so families don’t need to leave the province and their support system when they need it most.
Are you ready to experience the healing magic of our programs?
We’re ready to welcome you and answer any questions you might have!
Programs and services for the whole family
We help children and families through a range of educational, therapeutic and recreational programs and services
Education Support
Our Education Support and Scholarship programs help children with cancer-related learning issues develop confidence at school while gaining an understanding of their own learning needs and how to advocate for themselves. When they’re ready, we offer post-secondary scholarships to an educational institute of their choice.
