Cancer doesn’t have to be isolating and scary. On our website, learn about different support options. Connecting with a social worker or oncology navigator or meeting someone who has been where you are now through an online community, support group or mentoring program can be super helpful. There are even incredible camps and retreats for when you need to take a break from cancer. You don’t have to do this alone. In this video you will learn how to help the sibling of a child who has cancer as well as the support services available.

1. 10 Ways to Help
Siblings of Cancer
Patients

2. Cancer has a profound effect on the
entire family, especially when it's a
child who’s been diagnosed. While
everyone is understandably focused
on the care of the ill child, it's
natural for siblings to feel anxious,
neglected, scared and even
resentful at times.

3. MD Anderson's website offers great
advice via podcast on how to tell
children that sibling has cancer.
Click HERE to listen to it.

4. There are many ways
parents can support the
siblings of cancer patients:

5. 1. Be open and
honest with
them about the
seriousness of
the situation.

6. 2. Give them permission to express
feelings of guilt, jealousy, anger, sadness,
fear, and love—and validate these feelings.

7. 3. Spend as much
time with the well
children as
possible—by phone,
at the hospital, or in
extra one-on-one time
at home.

8. 4. Continue daily routines as much as possible.
Maintain the same boundaries and same rules for
both the sick and well children. Continue to talk with
well children about what’s going on in their lives,
including everyday things.

9. 5. Reassure them that
just because their sibling
is sick, they won’t
become sick as well.
And, assure them that
this is not their fault and
they did nothing to
cause the illness.

10. 6. Keep school teachers informed about
the situation so that they will be sensitive
about the well children’s feelings and
concerns.

11. 7. Stress the
healthy aspects of
the sick child, such
as his/her sense of
humor, interests,
and talents.

12. 8. Be careful not to burden well
children with extra duties and thank
them for their help.

13. 9. Give well children permission
not to talk just about their sick
sibling with others. They may be
getting asked a lot about their
sibling and this gives them
permission to talk about
themselves and their
accomplishments as well.

14. 10. Ask friends who want to give the sick child a gift to
make it a family present so all siblings will reap the
benefits of a caring family and community.

15. For resources, financial assistance,
knowledge and inspiration,
please visit
cancerhawk.com