Having a family member with cancer is traumatic and life-altering for anyone, but especially for children and teenagers. Even worse yet is watching your sibling deal with the diagnosis of cancer. For a child or teenager to face the stark reality of cancer and its diagnosis is difficult. But thanks to a new support group for siblings who have siblings with cancer, this fight might be a bit easier than it use to be. The group is called SuperSibs.
Subersibs headquarters are based in Rolling Meadows, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Supersibs is a non profit organization thats main goal is to recognize siblings of children with cancer and to support them in the difficulties that they might encounter. Referrals to the program come from interested family members, oncology clinics and children hospitals or siblings themselves that have contacted the site.The organization is a grass roots effort, with the goals of providing community support, while networking with cancer and social service organization in the siblings community. As such their main goal is to provide advocacy and support for these siblings through meetings and fun events in the siblings community. They provide age appropriate journals in which a sibling can state their feelings and concerns. Chat rooms are provided where siblings can communicate with other siblings, always with a concerned professional present to answer any questions or concerns. Often times it is helpful to have a sort of a road map to help get through difficult times, and Supersibs provides siblings with a their ” Supersibs: Guide for siblings.” Siblings can log on the site and watch videos of other siblings going through the same thing, expressing their thoughts and providing support for other siblings going through the same thing. This is sort of like a ” You Tube” for siblings of children with cancer. The site provides new letters and even has what they call a buddy line where the sibling can call in for support from a trained professional. According to the web site, these last two services were still under construction, however when i called the 800 number for information, I was informed both the video program and buddy support program have been launched.
Resources are also available for young siblings, teen siblings, and parents. These materials can be borrowed from a library, purchased on line, or some hospitals even have their own libraries such as the Children’s Nemours Clinic and Wolfen’s Children Hospital here in Jacksonville, Florida. Supersibs also has bereavement materials available if they are needed.
Talking to a sibling about cancer is often difficult and Supersibs offers a guide for this, found at www.wondersandworries.org/coping.htm. The guide offers realistic and honest ways to communicate with the sibling of a cancer patient, letting them know that it is OK to feel as they do, and offering hope, even though things might seem bleak at the moment.
The organization is always looking for donations and volunteers. For further information, call them at 1-866-444-7427.Also, check the site out at www.supersibs.org. It is wonderful to know that there is an organization trying to make life a bit easier for siblings of children with cancer.
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