New support group helps children understand a loved one’s cancer diagnosis

Green Bay, Wis. – It’s common to think of cancer care as it directly affects a patient, but a new youth cancer support group at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital in Green Bay is focused on helping kids cope with a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. It’s the only program of its kind in Northeast Wisconsin.

“When a loved one has cancer, many children may feel like they are the only ones going through something like that,” says Caitlin Kapp, Child Life Specialist at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. “It’s beneficial for these children to meet others like them who are having similar experiences, and this support group provides a safe and welcoming space to do that.”

As part of the group, which began Nov. 1, the Child Life Specialists at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital provide kids ages 5-12 an opportunity to learn about cancer, ask questions, build relationships with other kids going through similar experiences and explore their feelings surrounding an often confusing and complicated life circumstance. They also learn kid-friendly coping techniques.

“We feel it’s really important for children to be involved in their loved ones’ cancer journey at a level they are comfortable with,” says Kapp. “Sometime kids may have misconceptions about cancer or feel confused or scared if they don’t understand what’s going on around them. This support group allows them to feel comfortable asking questions about cancer.”

The free Youth Cancer Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. It is open to children ages 5-12 who have a loved one impacted by cancer. To sign up, or for more information, call (920) 433-8641 or email childlife@hshs.org

Child Life, a service of HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital, helps children, teens, young adults and families cope with all types of health experiences, whether it’s for a short appointment or an extended hospital stay.

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About HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital

Located inside the walls of HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital is Green Bay’s first and only children’s hospital. With every detail tailored to kids, HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital delivers exceptional health care to children while making them feel comfortable and supported. As a partner of Prevea Health, it has direct access to dedicated pediatricians and a wide variety of specialty care physicians. HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital is also a member of the Children’s Hospital Association, the voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide. For more information about HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital, visit: www.stvincentchildrenshospital.org

About Hospital Sisters Health System

Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 15 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org.  For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.