The mission of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation’s pediatric program is to help provide exceptional psychosocial care to children undergoing cancer treatment. The program aims to address the different needs that pediatric cancer patients experience versus adult patients, and offer ways to cope with these needs. Often, treatment for cancer can be stressful for young patients, sometimes leading to behavioral problems and learning disabilities. The pediatric program supplies a supportive environment for children to learn appropriate coping skills, enabling them to address relevant issues related to their diagnosis, treatment and possible long-term effects, as well as family-related issues.

Through partnerships with distinguished medical programs staffed by dedicated and knowledgeable healthcare professionals, Beckstrand Cancer Foundation has developed a unique program that grants children and their families much-needed support, guidance and information throughout the course of their treatment and beyond. Patients and families are afforded financial assistance, crisis intervention, behavioral and family support, preparation for medical procedures, and individual patient therapy.

Dealing with a life-threatening illness such as cancer can be an isolating and frightening experience for any child. When young boys and girls are diagnosed, their familiar world is completely disrupted and replaced with a new routine at a children’s hospital. For some, this can produce serious late effects, including memory impairment, learning disorders and socialization problems, which many children do not know how to handle.

The psychosocial pediatric program uses art therapy to help these young patients better cope with their illnesses, communicate their physical and emotional needs, increase their self esteem and tender a sense of creativity and normalcy to their lives. In the art therapy program, children with cancer learn to use brightly colored crayons, paint brushes, paper and clay as powerful healing tools in professionally-led activities.

Studies show that children who participate in art therapy from the first hospitalization demonstrate collaborative behavior, whereas these same children had previously exhibited resistance and anxiety toward painful procedures such as lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. Art therapy gives young patients a safe way to express their fears and anxieties by tapping into their creativity. It uses a wide range of tools and techniques to encourage children to relax, communicate and share their experiences in non-threatening ways.

In order to provide a smooth transition to school and other daily living situations following their hospitalization and treatment, ensure that they are returning to a safe and supportive environment, this multidisciplinary approach to patient care for children and teens also includes:

• • Assessing for any learning difficulties caused by the child’s disease or extensive treatment regimens
• • Providing recommendations for educational services, including special education
• • Advocating for the implementation of services that could be helpful to the child
• • Counseling parents and older patients about their legal rights regarding assistance available through school districts
• • Counseling patients and families about emotional and psychological stressors of returning to school
• • Educating students to decrease fear from peers and help young patients returning to school to succeed and reach their full potential