Help Offered Siblings of Cancer Patients

A children’s hospital in Ohio has instituted a program to help the siblings of children who are cancer patients.

The 12-week Sibling Support Program has been developed by medical experts at the pediatric cancer center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. The object is to help comfort cancer patients’ brothers and sisters, who often feel confused, scared, angry and alone.

The program has been praised by SuperSibs, the national organization dedicated to supporting brothers and sisters of childhood cancer patients.

Understandably, so much attention is focused on the ill child, Micah Skeens of the program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital said in a statement. However, healthy kids struggle to understand their own emotions, as well as the stress on their parents.

Skeens advises siblings of those with cancer to:

— Be informed by learning about the illness and treatment.

— Talk about change and its effect on your family.

— Share feelings and talk openly with one another.

— Support each other during stressful times.

— Take care of yourself, and don’t forget to make time for rest, relaxation and fun.