Banner Children’s Hospital values the importance of a strong support system and offers an assortment of resources for patients and their families including:
Child Life Specialists
Banner Children’s Hospital employs certified child life specialists to focus on the unique social, emotional and psychological needs of pediatric patients. Additionally, on-site cancer care social workers provide complimentary counseling to patients and their families through all phases of the cancer continuum.
Beads of Courage
To honor the journey children take when diagnosed with cancer, Banner Children’s Hospital maintains a Beads of Courage program that uses colorful beads to commemorate milestones and symbolize courage.
Returning to School
Readjustment to "normal" activities is another key component of the healing process. For children, this readjustment often entails returning to school. At Banner Children’s Hospital, child life specialists work with school-age cancer patients to help in their transition back to school with the school re-entry program also maintains a partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to provide the Cancer Resource Center to its patients. Through the center, cancer resource navigators offer free, confidential assistance to patients, family members and caregivers by providing:
- Information on a specific cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Patient advocacy and one-on-one support throughout the cancer journey
- ACS program and service information taking into account each patient’s transportation, lodging and support resources
- Research on community resources and enrollment assistance
- Access to a cancer information specialist 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Free Outpatient counseling
available to any patient following a cancer diagnosis.
Desert CLIMB (Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery)
Support group for children ages six to 13 whose parents have cancer. This six-week program meets weekly for two hours and uses conversation and art to explore the children's feelings about their parent's cancer diagnosis.
Integrative Therapies