Supporting children affected by a family member’s blood cancer
The weight of a family member’s blood cancer diagnosis can be very hard for a young mind and heart to cope with. LBC understands that as parents and caregivers, we may sometimes need guidance on how to support and work through these issues with children.
What LBC’s Kids’ Club Online can do
LBC runs a virtual group online designed for children between 5 and 12 who have had a parent, sibling or loved one diagnosed with a blood cancer. This group was especially created for children who are not able to access our face to face workshops in the main centres.
What it involves
The LBC Kids’ Club Online is facilitated by play therapists and psychologists who specialise in workshops for children and teenagers affected by cancer. In a safe, friendly, and fun environment, children can take part in activities and talk about their feelings, learn a little bit about cancer and treatment and meet other children going through a similar experience.
Activity packs are sent out prior to each of these virtual sessions.
More info
For more details or if you are interested in joining a Kid’s Club Online session, please contact a Support Services Coordinator.
Useful resources
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Blood Basics
Learn more about bone marrow, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and the lymphatic system.
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Leukaemia
Leukaemia is the name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Under normal conditions, the bone marrow contains a small number of healthy immature blood cells (blast cells) which mature and develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are eventually released into the bloodstream.
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Lymphoma
Lymphoma is the general name for cancers that develop in the lymphatic system.
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Myeloma
Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells (mature B-lymphocytes), which are a type of white blood cell that form part of the immune system. Myeloma may also be called multiple myeloma or plasma cell myeloma.
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Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN)
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow makes too many cells (either red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets). MPNs used to be called myeloproliferative disorders.
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Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of blood cancers which affect the production of normal blood cells in the bone marrow. MDS is sometimes referred to as myelodysplasia.
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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the name given to a group of cancers that develop from B-lymphocytes (B-cells), T-lymphocytes (T-cells) and natural killer cells (NK cells).
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Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is cancer of the lymphatic system, part of the immune system, and mainly affects the lymphocytes. Hodgkin lymphoma differs from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in that it is characterised by the presence of a particular cancer cell, known as the Reed-Sternberg cell.
