Badger Childhood Cancer Network

Direct Assistance to Families - provide emergency assistance to families of area children on treatment for cancer and life-threatening blood disorders who need help with basic living expenses (utilities, rent/mortgage,phone,car repairs,groceries) and transportation. Provide prepiad gas cards to families who must travel long distances for a child's tests and treatment.

Peer Support and Social Events for families - host a monthly family support group to provide families of children with cancer the chance to dine and do activities together, sharing support and information in a relaxed, non-medical atmosphere. Hold periodic peer support and educational activities for families of children with sickle cell disease, tenn patients and siblings, and parents of children in particular diagnosis groups. Provide family-to-family support by phone or email. Sponsor quarterly parties and social activites so kids, their parents, and siblings can enjoy themselves as a family and share informal support with others who are on the same journey. Host an annula kid's fishing day with area fishing clubs and periodic activities at Wisconsin Badger sporting events.

General patient and family support - provide information and assistance to the families of hospitalized children, inlcuding new diagnosis bags with a parent informational folder, books on childhood cancer, toys, games and other distractions and comfort items during that first frightening hospitalization. Offer educational materials in childhood cancer, back-to-school issues, coping with hair loss, nutrition, preparing for a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, dealing with grief and other essential tpoics our kids and families face, both in our hospital-based library at the American Family Children's Hospital (AFCH) and at our office on Atwood Avenue. Supply and maintain the popular pediatric hero bead program at AFCH. Kids and teens collect beads that represent the many procedures and milestones of their treatment.