Peer Support – for families in active treatment and remission
At Why Me we understand that the diagnosis and treatment phases are just the beginning of a life-long involvement with cancer. We stand beside our families throughout each of their journeys and work to maintain balance and restore harmony in every life we touch.
Parent to Parent Support Group
Parent to Parent is a peer group that offers support and information for those who have a child with cancer–whether on treatment or who have completed treatment. Our monthly meetings inform families about different aspects of childhood cancer and enable parents to gain confidence by sharing their experiences with each other. More importantly, this group offers a safe environment for parents to openly discuss various medical and social issues related to childhood cancer.
As the parent of a child with cancer, it is not uncommon to feel the emotional, psychological and financial impact of a child’s illness. These are reoccurring themes that the group discusses. Some meetings have a specific topic or guest speaker while other dates have an open forum for parents to address their individual concerns and questions, to share experiences and to offer advice to one another.
The group is facilitated by Director of Family Services, Danielle Sikonski, and a local Pediatric Social Worker. Any family who has had a child in active treatment is welcome, regardless of the treating institution. Please reach out to a member of our Family Services team, Danielle or Stephanie for more information and meeting dates.
Let’s Talk Survivorship
A quarterly meeting with parents of pediatric oncology survivors. We discuss different aspects of survivorship. Parents and survivors often feel overwhelmed as they adjust to life post-treatment. This peer group gives parents the opportunity to openly discuss challenges they may have faced after their child’s treatment ended. This group is an opportunity to share, learn, support and empower one another with personal post treatment experiences. Meeting vary with guest speakers, topic driven conversation, and open forums.