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Dealing With Illness

ALS   http://www.march-of-faces.org/ Well written interactive story that explains ALS to children. The American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345   http://www.cancer.org/ Statistics and information, treatment options, survivor network, coping, community-based information. Cancer Care 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)   http://www.cancercare.org/ Free help through counseling, education, information, referrals, financial assistance. The Cancer Information Service 1-800-422-6237   http://www.nci.nih.gov/ Answers questions on cancer and offers printed material from the National Cancer Institute. Research information, statistics, coping, literature and resources, clinical trials. Heart Disease   http://www.heartcenteronline.com/ Defines and answers questions about heart disease. Hospice Net   http://www.hospicenet.org/ Suite 51, 401 Bowling Ave., Nashville, Tennessee, 37205 For patients and families facing life-threatening illness. KidsCope   http://www.kidscope.org/ 3339 Peachtree Rd., Suite 2020, Atlanta, GA 30326. (404) 233-0001 Non-profit organization that provides educational materials to help deal with changes when a parent has cancer. Free Parent Has Cancer coloring book and My Mom Has Breast Cancer video to those who request it. Kids Konnected 1-800-899-2866   http://www.kidskonnected.org/ For children when a parent has cancer. 24 Hotline 7 days a week to answer questions, share concerns, listen. Chat rooms, links, newsletters, library and workshops. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 1-800-955-4572   http://www.leukemia.org/ New diagnosis support, disease information, free materials, answers to questions, support network and referrals. National Organization of Rare Disorders   http://www.rarediseases.org/ A comprehensive database of diseases with related programs and services. Go to top of page BOOKS Legacy Journals Click here to view the top 10 legacy journals to help yourself or a loved one preserve memories. Brack, Pat Moms Don't Get Sick Problems 3-13 year olds face when a mom has cancer. Callanan & Halley Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying Comforting words that help you recognize, understand and respond to someone that is dying. Canfield, Hansen Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul 101 Healing Stories of Courage and Inspiration from Those Who Have Survived Cancer. Kushner, Harold When Bad Things Happen to Good People Wonderful resource for those that question, "Why me"? Written by a parent facing his own child's fatal illness. Harris Lord, Janice Beyond Sympathy: What to Say and Do for Someone Suffering and Injury, Illness or Loss Helps others recognize that loss is a part of life and deal with the common feelings and emotions associated with loss. McCue, Kathleen How to Help Children Through a Parent's Serious Illness Supportive and practical advice that includes; how to tell children, helping them cope, warning signs, what to look for in their drawings and when to seek professional help. National Cancer Institute. When Someone in Your Family Has Cancer. Call: 1-800-4-CANCER. 27 page booklet that provides explanations for diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and side effects. Includes feelings, common questions/answers and glossary. Russell, Neil Can I Still Kiss You? Answering Children's Questions About Cancer A question and answer book as a result of the author's journal that deals with his own children's questions when he had cancer. Sourkes, Barbara Armfuls of Time- The Psychological Experience of the Child with a Life Threatening Illness A valuable resource that portrays the psychological experience of children that are seriously ill or dying and the impact it has on the people around them. Wogrin, Carol Matters of Life and Death Advice for those at a loss for words witnessing the process of dying. An extremely comprehensive book that deals with many facets of death, dying and grief. Go to top of page Books For Kids Dealing With Serious Illness Ackermann & Ackermann Our Mom Has Cancer A book written and illustrated by two sisters, for ages 4-10 years. Helps children realize that they are not alone, while discussing everyday life, treatment and emotional responses. American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345. Pamphlet for ages 3-16 years. Blanchard, Blake Paper Chain For ages 3-8 years. Focus on children's coping. Helpful hints for parents. Borden, Louise Good Luck, Mrs. K! Based on a true story about how a 3d-grade class responds to their teacher's cancer diagnosis, hospitalization and two operations. Clifford, Christine Our Family Has Cancer, Too! For ages 7-12 years. Interactive pages that encourage children to ask questions and communicate with parents/caregivers. Klein Cohen, Cindy My Daddy's Cancer: An Interactive Book for Children For ages 3 and up. A story that answers children's questions and has pointers for parents. Kohlenberg, Sherry Sammy's Mommy has Cancer A simple, easy to read story of a mom that successfully fights cancer. Focus on hair-loss. For ages 3-7 years. Shultz, Charles Why Charlie Brown, Why? A Story About When a Friend is Very Ill A story about a friend's Leukemia and the effect it has on her family, her classmates, and her friends. Vigna, Judith When Eric's Mom Fought Cancer Inspirational story of hope that clarifies misconceptions Go to top of page Books For Teens Dealing With Serious Illness Vogel, Carole Will I Get Breast Cancer? Questions and Answers for Teenage Girls Deals with specific needs when a mother has breast cancer. Go to top of page Activity Books For Children and Teens Dealing With Serious Illness Boulden, Jim & Joan When Someone Is Very Sick For ages 6-12 years. Deals with hospitalization, visiting and related feelings. Center for Basic Cancer Research A Day with Dr. Waddle A coloring book that uses gentle humor to explain the disease process. Murray & Cohn Because Someone I Really Love Has Cancer Coloring book for ages 3-10 years that deals with feelings surrounding a mother's cancer. Freedlander & Jennings Hospice Coloring Book (From the Talbot Hospice Foundation, Easton, MD.) Cartoon characters describe hospice care, new people entering the home and death. Ganz High Five Publishing Life Isn't Always a Day at the Beach Workbook for ages 4-13 years that helps children understand their feelings when a parent has cancer. Heegaard, Marge When Someone Has a Serious Illness For ages 5-13. Helps children understand their feelings associated with loss and change. Zotovich, Katherine Dorn Memory Makers For ages 4-14 years. A journal to help children process feelings associated with changes in elderly loved ones. Targeted for children dealing with someone with Alzheimer's Disease. There is also a parent companion journal My Memory Maker. Go to top of page