Someone I love has Cancer

GOSHEN, Ind. - When a family member is diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, it can be very disruptive to a child's life.

As adults in the family attend to their health needs and rearrange their lives around doctors' appointments and treatments, they will be dealing with the fear that often accompanies a new cancer diagnosis. Children in the home will be dealing with their own set of fears and anxieties.

On Oct. 15, Goshen Center for Cancer Care will offer a free workshop called "Someone I love has Cancer," in hopes of equipping both children and their parents with tools for dealing with the emotional upheaval a cancer diagnosis brings to a family.

"We're hoping to offer an arena for kids to learn they are not alone in their experience," said Rita Gingrich, LCSW, PNI counselor at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. "We want to help them understand and express their feelings, and we'll do this through kid-friendly activities. We also want to help the adults in their lives to better understand their child's feelings and behaviors."

Geared toward children ages 6 to 12, the Oct. 15 workshop will provide age appropriate information and the tools they need to cope with their feelings around the cancer diagnosis of someone they dearly love.

"Children are very sensitive to the emotional tone of the household," Gingrich said. "Even in the healthiest of families, there are a number of things that can impact a child's sense of security - from a change in routine or environment, to periods of separation as the adult in their life goes through treatment."

The workshop, led by Goshen Center for Cancer Care PNI counselors Gingrich and Pat Shoemaker, BSW, includes age appropriate information on cancer, children's activities and a children's activity book from the American Cancer Society. There will also be adult opportunities for sharing information about talking with kids about cancer. A pizza dinner is included.

The class is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 in the Oak/Poplar Conference Room of Goshen General Hospital. There is no cost to attend. For more information, please call 574-535-2581.

About Goshen Center for Cancer Care:
The Goshen Center for Cancer Care is a leader in innovative cancer treatment. They were among the first to adopt a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. They offer holistic programs for strengthening minds as well as bodies, place a premium on family involvement and spiritual needs, and encourage patients to play a decision-making role in treatment selection. Through this integrative team approach, the center provides medical, radiation, nuclear and surgical oncology as well as naturopathic medicine.

The Goshen Center for Cancer Care is involved in, and sponsors, a number of clinical trials. Additionally, prevention, screening, diagnostic and treatment trials are conducted at the Goshen Center for Cancer Care, as well as quality of life trials and genetic trials. Clinical trials offered include treatments for breast cancer, colon cancer, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, myeloma, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. To find out more about the Goshen Center for Cancer Care or Goshen Health System, call 866-561-HOPE or visit www.goshencancer.org.

About Goshen Health System:
Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, PrimeCare Physician Network, Team:Bariatrics, The Retreat Women's Health Center and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health. For more information about Goshen Health System, contact Bridget Levitz, Public Relations Coordinator at 574-535-2776 or visit www.goshenhealth.org