Pediatric Melanoma

Most cancersCare had the privilege of attending the third annual Pediatric Melanoma Summit, hosted by the Melanoma Analysis Basis, to supply supportive workshops to pediatric melanoma sufferers, their siblings and their mother and father. In attendance have been: Susan Beno, LCSW, Claire Grainger, LCSW, OSW-C and Sarah Paul, LMSW.

Pediatric melanoma is a uncommon type of pores and skin most cancers that presents in youngsters. The Nationwide Most cancers Institute estimates that roughly 500 youngsters are identified annually. The Pediatric Melanoma Summit provides sufferers and their households the chance to come back collectively on widespread floor to attend workshops that foster emotional progress and bonding. The summit additionally supplies an academic expertise on matters reminiscent of solar security and vitamin. It’s hosted annually at The Nice Wolf Lodge, which incorporates entry to their indoor waterpark and different family-friendly actions.

After attending to know among the households on Friday night time, Most cancersCare’s social staff spent Saturday morning with the kids, main two totally different workshops on braveness. Within the first a part of the morning, Susan labored with the youthful youngsters studying a e-book known as “Braveness” by Bernard Waber and illustrating dragons that represented what braveness means to every baby. We had sufficient books for every household they usually have been generously donated by Gentle One Little Candle; a company designed to encourage most cancers sufferers who’re additionally caregivers to proceed to bond with their youngsters all through their sickness by studying books collectively that don’t have anything to do with most cancers.

Whereas Susan met with the youthful youngsters, Sarah and Claire led a workshop on studying learn how to discover interior energy and braveness. The group labored on posters titled “Let’s Rejoice Me and My Braveness” the place they have been inspired to write down about their private strengths as a way to embrace their uniqueness. Later that morning, all the youngsters got here collectively in an exercise the place they made enlarged self-portraits. This train helped them be taught in regards to the variations between how they see themselves and the way the world may even see them. Claire additionally led a workshop on mindfulness for the mother and father on Sunday morning whereas the kids attended a yoga class.

Claire mirrored, “Our objective was to have these exceptional youngsters and their households acknowledge the braveness that they show, however could not even acknowledge, to convey forth a way of empowerment. Kids are extra apt to know what it means to be ’conscious,’ and to stay within the right here and now. They have been capable of interact within the therapeutic and enjoyable actions and should have even discovered a bit about themselves as they supported each other.”

Most cancersCare want to thank the Melanoma Analysis Basis for together with our social staff of their annual Pediatric Melanoma Summit this yr. We look ahead to future collaborations!