Family and Youth Programming

When cancer happens, the entire family is impacted regardless of who was diagnosed. That is why Cancer Bridges maintains a comprehensive Family & Youth program designed to meet the needs of children with a cancer diagnosis and children who have a loved one with cancer. Social activities and clinical one-on-one and family counseling from a Certified Child Life Specialist provide the tools needed to manage a cancer diagnosis in the family and provide activities to connect members to a community of support.

Families impacted by cancer are able to meet individually or as a group with Cancer Bridges’ Child Life Specialist to discuss topics like:

• Educating children and teens about cancer, treatments and side effects
• Preparing children and teens for medical encounters or hospital visits
• Anticipatory grief support for children and teens facing an impending death
• Facilitating positive coping skills using art, play and other modalities

Current programming includes:

Children’s Camp
Every year, an annual summer camp for children impacted by cancer is hosted at Cancer Bridges. The camp curriculum is built to offer therapeutic opportunities for children to express emotion through art and connection with peers who understand what it is like to have cancer in the family. Additionally, fun is incorporated into everyday with visits from community organizations, games, a camp video, and more.

CLIMB Workshop
CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) CLIMB is a free four to six-week program for children and teens who have a parent or grandparent diagnosed with cancer. At each session, children and teens engage in therapeutic art and play. A concurrent parent group is offered to help parents learn ways to help their children cope when cancer is in the family. 

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Cancer Bridges collaborates with cancer support staff at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on the BMT/Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Floor and Radiation Oncology to provide programs to support families impacted by pediatric cancer. Contact Abby Ziegler to learn more.

Family and Youth Social Activities
Check out upcoming family paint nights, cooking workshops for kids, and more on our monthly calendar.

If you have questions about the Family and Youth Calendar, email Abby Ziegler or call 412-338-1919.