access to survivors’ personal medical
information and guides long-term follow-up
screening for late effects of childhood cancer
to monitor risk for chronic medical illnesses.
Passport for Care is a major component of our
Long Term Survivor Program
, which monitors
patients for delayed side effects and
complications caused by previous cancer
therapies.Though relatively rare, these late
effects are potentially serious and often subtle
and difficult to diagnose. Our Long Term
Survivor Program has developed an international
reputation as a leader in the field and has
attracted a world-renowned faculty involved
in local, national and international research
that benefits today’s pediatric cancer patients
and future survivors.
healing the whole child,
supporting the family
Our commitment to the whole child and family
starts at the time of diagnosis and continues
throughout treatment and beyond.The diagnosis
and treatment of a childhood cancer or blood
disorder presents extraordinary psychological,
emotional and social challenges to the entire
family. Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology
Centers offer a variety of services through
our
Psychosocial Support Program
.This helps
patients and families adapt and mobilize their
resources in the battle against these diseases.
All patients and their families have access to
personal counseling. In addition, each patient
and family is assigned a social worker to help
them navigate successfully through their
disease experience.
At the heart of these services is
the personal commitment of every
multidisciplinary team member
to understand each young patient
as a unique individual. Team
members also collaborate with
parents at each step in the process
to be attentive to the quality
of life of all family members,
including siblings.
We also offer a
Supportive Help for Accessing
Resources and Education (SHARE) Desk
where families can obtain information or
access resources that are available at Texas
Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers
as well as throughout the community.
The SHARE Desk is located centrally within
the registration area and is available to all
patient families.
Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology
Centers also offer palliative care for seriously
ill children. Our
Palliative Care Team
helps
patients feel more comfortable by intervening
to improve their quality of life.The team
addresses symptoms such as pain, fatigue and
nausea as well as helps assuage feelings of
anxiety or depression. Palliative care can be
given in addition to current treatment for an
illness or on its own, and has been shown to
have positive physical and emotional benefits.
In addition to child life services, education
programs, social workers, teen retreats, financial
aid, hotels and housing, internet resources, pain
management and palliative care, our programs
for psychosocial support and education also
