For a child with blood cancer,
getting a stem cell transplant often involves long stays at the hospital, with
much of the time spent in isolation. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has
produced a new coloring book designed to help children confront their fears
and anxieties by presenting information about this difficult experience in a
fun, child appropriate format. The coloring book offers encouragement and
support during the hospital stay, while also providing entertainment.
With illustrations by Brian Yanish, the Stem Cell Transplant Coloring Book
depicts some of the technology and procedures that the children will
encounter, including mouth swabs, central lines, gloves and facemasks. It
addresses the transplant team, doctors, nurses and other hospital faculty that
will become part of the child's daily life during his or her stay. One page is
a mood-o-meter, while another contains a maze to help the children escape from
boredom. The book includes pages for coloring as well as other activities such
as cutout door-hangers and postcards.
"We hope that this coloring book provides some comfort to children
undergoing this difficult process," said Robin Kornhaber, the Society's senior
vice president of patient services. "Children may enjoy using the coloring
book with parents, older siblings or staff, or on their own. In addition to
alleviating boredom and providing entertainment, we hope that it will help to
generate discussion, questions and expressions of feelings."
The book was produced with input from the pediatric oncology teams at
Hackensack University Medical Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,
and Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, The Rochester Medical Center. The
book, which is available free, can be obtained by calling The Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society's Information Resource Center (IRC) at 1-800-955-4572.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(R), headquartered in White Plains, NY,
with 66 chapters in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest
voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and
providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure
leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of
life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the Society
has invested more than $424 million in research specifically targeting
leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made over
2.4 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.
For more information about blood cancer, visit LLS or call
the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by
master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide
information, support and resources to patients and their families and
caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572,
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Contact: Andrea Greif, 914-821-8958
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LLS