For the second straight year, the Child Life program at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has received a Child Life, Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders grant from the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc. (AAFC). The $1,500 award will continue funding special psychosocial care packages for siblings of pediatric cancer patients.
Research suggests that siblings of children with chronic illnesses are considered a psychosocially at-risk group. They may experience developmental and psychological impacts such as feelings of survivor’s guilt, insecurity, anxiety, as well as interpersonal difficulties, toxic stress and disrupted development. With support from this grant, the Child Life program can continue promoting inclusivity, normalization, increased coping and connection between hematology/oncology patients and their siblings.
Care packages are age-appropriate, catering to children from preschool to adolescence, and include items fit to the siblings’ age and developmental stages. Contents feature art supplies, journals, educational books and comfort items such as stress balls, fidget toys or blankets, all aimed at promoting emotional and psychosocial well-being.
This year, the AAFC awarded 15 grants to Child Life programs across the United States. These grants provide support to pediatric patients, their siblings and families experiencing a cancer or blood disorders diagnosis. Their mission is to help provide comfort, connection and moments of joyful play to children undergoing treatment for cancer or a blood disorder.
In 2017, Aflac launched the Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign and became a national partner of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In addition to Aflac’s philanthropic giving, My Special Aflac Duck® is another program offered to children’s hospitals at no cost, reinforcing Aflac’s promise that families are not alone. It helps children with cancer and blood disorders ages 3 and up prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and so much more. UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital relies on this incredible resource each year and is grateful for additional financial assistance this year.