Children with cancer or blood disorders often experience a feeling of isolation from their peers. Our support groups help reduce that feeling of isolation by providing close contact with other children who are coping with the same disease, in a familiar, comfortable, child-friendly setting. Children are able to share and learn from their peers who have been through similar experiences, while a trained counseling professional directs and develops appropriate activities tailored according to participants’ ages or special emotional needs. The group creates a safety net for the children when they are depressed, scared, or just feeling down. It provides a safe haven where they feel free and comfortable to express their fears of loss, especially their fears of death and dying, that they might hesitate to communicate around children who are not ill or to family members.

Support groups are also a space where children can become better educated about their disease, further reducing their fears during treatment or recovery stages.

If you could like to learn about specific funding opportunities for this program, please contact Lori Abrams at (973) 761-0422 or LAbrams@TheValerieFund.org.