Sibling support group for cancer

At Advocate Children’s Hospital, we understand how a child’s cancer diagnosis impacts the whole family, including siblings. While we provide ongoing resources and support to the whole family, we also realize siblings need a place just for them.

Siblings may react to a cancer diagnosis in many ways, showing love and support or anxiety and resentment. Our cancer support group for siblings helps them cope, providing age-appropriate education in a positive environment.

Impact of cancer on siblings

Our sibling support group focuses on helping children cope with changes in family dynamics, altered routines and other issues. During this time, parents are busy with cancer treatment and related issues. The whole family may feel worried and afraid. And siblings often notice the impact on the attention they receive, their relationships with friends and their place at school.

Our Child Life specialists have expertise helping siblings work through their feelings, including:

• Fear: Worry that their brother or sister may not get better, that it’s their fault somehow, or that they may get cancer themselves
• Anger: Feelings of frustration over the loss of attention or resentment because their sibling is getting special treatment
• Isolation: Loss of relationships with their sibling, friends or parents because of time needed for treatment and care
• Guilt: Feeling bad about their other feelings, the fact they don’t have cancer (survivor’s guilt) or how they’ve treated their sibling
• Sadness: Reaction to the family’s sadness or grief at the loss of family relationships and activities

How we support siblings during cancer care

Talk to your dedicated child life specialist or social worker about how to help your other children. We can work with you to create a plan, identify age-appropriate resources and provide explanations to your children.

We can also connect your family with the sibling support group led by our Child Life specialists. Even if everything seems fine, a support group can provide a positive experience. Also remember that while some brothers and sisters act out in negative ways, others hold their feelings inside.

Our support group offers:

• Dedicated time for siblings
• Chance to meet other children in a similar situation
• Opportunity to learn and talk about challenges
• Therapeutic activities to mark experiences and milestones
• Ways to have fun

If you are interested in having your child participate or have any questions about this Oak Lawn program, please email us today.