Sibling Support Program

Named one of the best in the country by SuperSibs, the national organization dedicated to supporting brothers and sisters of childhood cancer patients.

Research shows diagnosis and treatment of cancer impacts the young patient and the whole family. Understandably, so much attention is focused on the ill child, healthy siblings can be faced with emotional challenges and need some help in navigating the impacts on their sibling as well as the stress placed on parents.

Sponsored by the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, the Sibling Support Program^TM, developed at Children’s by the multidisciplinary Hematology/Oncology team, provides increased awareness and participation of siblings in the diagnosis and treatment of the child with cancer. The goals of the 12-week program are to decrease anxiety, feelings of isolation, stress and guilt, and to decrease participation in risk-taking behaviors. It also aims to increase communication among the family, and increase the siblings’ academic performance.

What are the benefits of the Sibling Support Program^TM?
Siblings are able to discuss their feelings and ask questions, as well as learn techniques like belly breathing and relaxation, to help cope with a chronically ill sibling. Additionally, because siblings react differently depending on how old they are, we have broken the program up into two groups:

Siblings ages 8-12

Learn interesting, age appropriate facts about cancer, treatment, and side effects
Discuss topics related to changes at home, feelings and how to express them
Tour the hospital to see areas where their brother or sister might visit, including the Emergency Room, X-ray, and the Operating Room (OR)

Siblings ages 13-16

Discuss the “urban legends” related to cancer
Engage in an open forum discussions related to feelings and change within the family
Use the latest computer technology for increased learning

Each participant will be given an informational journal that will provide them facts about the sibling’s diagnosis, as well as allow them to express their thoughts and feelings through writing.

When is the program?
The group meets every other Tuesday for 12 weeks. Dinner, parking and child care for those not participating is provided at each session.

Support for Parents
At each session a coinciding parent group to provide you with information about what your well child is learning, as well as tools everyone can use to aid in family coping.

Program Graduation
The end of the program is celebrated with a graduation ceremony titled “A Celebration of You”

Slide show of the group’s activities and artwork
Visit by Columbus Blue Jackets’ mascot Stinger
Graduation certificate
Autographed Blue Jackets memorabilia