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Explore press releases, blogs, and videos on pediatric cancer support, family programs, and organizational updates.
Resources
We Are Grateful: AHF Donors Impact
We are GRATEFUL for our donors and partners. The Austin Hatcher Foundation would not be possible without our amazing supporters, sponsors and partners. This heartfelt video, shown at our Donor Stewardship Event, showcases the profound difference you have made in the lives of children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
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Ways to Take Care of Yourself in Your Grief
Navigating grief can be challenging, but taking care of yourself through small, mindful activities can offer comfort and healing. By allowing yourself to explore these diverse and personal ways of self-care, you can support your journey through grief.
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The Forgotten Siblings: Supporting Brothers and Sisters of Children with Cancer
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, siblings often feel overlooked, grappling with emotions like guilt, fear, and loneliness. This blog offers practical strategies from a psychotherapist to help parents support their children through this challenging time.
The Importance of STEAM Education
At the turn of the 21st century, there was concern that America was lagging behind other countries in Math and Science achievement in schools. In 2001, the National Science Foundation introduced the concept of "STEM- based education" in an attempt to close the gap. Later, art was added and the idea of a "STEAM Educational Framework" was coined by Georgette Yakman, a Middle and High School Engineering and Technology teacher.
Therapeutic Drumming at Home
Walker Wright, the foundation's drumming therapist, shares ways to make music at home with your family and use a drumming circle as a way to express emotions. These are difficult times during quarantine, and we are here for you to provide support and resources. Pediatric cancer patients and families seeking free telehealth support services can call the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer at 423-243-3475.
The Art of Woodworking
Woodworking is an activity that wears many hats. It can be thought of as very utilitarian or elevated to a pure art form. I’ll be honest; I tend to elevate any woodworking to art. It wasn’t always this way, but the more times I ride this planet around the sun, the more I tend to appreciate wood as a form of art.
Self-Kindness Matters: Part 2
I hope that after reading the first post in this series, you were able to take some time to practice being friendly to yourself. It has been helpful for me over the past couple of weeks. In the last post, we talked about the importance of building patterns or habits of kindness toward ourselves by being friendly, generous, and considerate toward ourselves.
Sleep Disturbances Among Pediatric Cancer Survivors
Sleep disturbances are common among pediatric cancer survivors, impacting their well-being with issues like fatigue, weakened immunity, and emotional distress. Effective sleep hygiene strategies are crucial for improving sleep quality and enhancing overall recovery and quality of life. These approaches support survivors in managing daily challenges and promoting better physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White Visits Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer
SEMA Cares Chair Melanie White recently visited the Austin Hatcher Foundation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to see first-hand their innovative cognitive program and evaluate the use of driving simulators for physical therapy.
Self-Kindness Matters: Part 1
Something that has been on my mind lately is self-kindness: the concept of being kind to ourselves. It seems to be a daily occurrence that we see and experience people being unkind to each other. Oftentimes, our thoughts and the messages we tell ourselves are also unkind. Maybe we doubt our self-worth, point out our flaws, focus on our mistakes, or discount positive things in our lives. When we repeat those unkind messages over and over again, they tend to feel ingrained.
Pediatric Cancer and Recreational Therapy at the Austin Hatcher Foundation
AHF offers 100% free psychosocial services to families affected by pediatric cancer. Recreational therapy further enhances our holistic approach to improving the quality of life for children battling cancer and their families.
Nutritional Needs for Pediatric Cancer Patients
A balanced diet is crucial for children undergoing cancer treatment. Protein and fiber-rich foods prevent constipation and support overall nutrition. Healthy fats from sources like fish, nuts, and avocados provide essential calories for children experiencing weight loss during treatment.
Managing ADHD Tendencies for Children and Parents
In the article below, the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer’s Occupational Therapist Tammy Gipson details the struggles parents face when children display ADHD tendencies that parents fear comes from behavior they demonstrate as well. Read on for a list of qualities to look out for in yourself and your children, as well as ways to work through these and conquer your day while helping your child achieve their personal goals!
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Navigating The Needle: Making needle procedures more comfortable for children
For many children, the sight of a needle can spark instant fear, and for their caregivers, it can feel just as overwhelming. But what if we could change that narrative? In this post, we’ll explore the tools and strategies we can use to help make needle procedures not only tolerable, but something children can walk away from feeling strong, supported, and seen.
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Managing Anger in Grief: Healthy Ways to Cope
Anger is a common response to grief. It's important to find healthy ways to express anger that don't harm yourself or others. This might involve talking about your feelings, physical activity, or creative outlets. Here are 20 ways to healthily cope with anger:
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Impact of Car Transfers on Caregivers: Understanding the Physical and Emotional Strain
Car transfers present significant physical and emotional challenges for caregivers. This educational guide examines the physical and emotional strain caregivers face, highlights the benefits of wheelchair-accessible vans for easing these challenges, and discusses options for applying for vans.
Life After Pediatric Cancer: A Survivor’s Guide to the New Normal
Completing pediatric cancer treatment is a milestone worth celebrating, but survivorship brings its own set of challenges. This National Cancer Survivors Day, we’re exploring the long-term effects childhood cancer survivors often face.
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How to Talk with Your Child or Teen After the Death of a Loved One
When talking with your child or teen after the death of a loved one, it's important to approach the conversation with openness and honesty. Tailor your explanations to their age and maturity level, providing only as much information as they need to understand what has happened. Here are some tips...
How Counseling Helps Children and Families Facing Childhood Cancer
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, life shifts in an instant. In these moments, mental health counseling becomes a vital part of care. Let’s explore how counseling supports children and families through the challenges of diagnosis.
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Helping Your Child or Teen Sleep Well During Cancer Treatment
Ensuring good sleep for children and teens undergoing cancer treatment is crucial for their recovery. Establishing a consistent sleep routine, using the bed solely for sleep, encouraging daytime sunlight exposure, and managing napping can help. Many hospitals provide resources to assist children with cancer in achieving better sleep, which is essential for their overall well-being during treatment.
Helping Kids and Teens Cope with Grief: A Guide for Families Navigating Loss
Helping children and teenagers cope with grief involves recognizing the diverse ways they may respond. Providing understanding and support tailored to their needs is crucial in navigating this difficult experience.
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Helping Kids Through Cancer: A Parent's Guide to Infections
Infections pose significant risks for children undergoing cancer treatment due to weakened immune systems from chemotherapy. Recognizing signs like fever and taking immediate action are crucial. We have tips to help you!
Helping Your Child Eat During Cancer Treatment
Navigating your child's diet during cancer treatment? Side effects like appetite loss, mouth sores, and taste changes are a factor. Opt for smaller, frequent meals and limit liquids during meals to aid digestion. Make mealtimes enjoyable and avoid pressuring your child to eat.
Healthy Lifestyle Recipe - Greek Yogurt Drops
Looking for a healthy, kid-friendly treat that tastes indulgent but isn't full of refined sugar? These Greek Yogurt Drops are a perfect snack and easy to make as a family, too! During this time of quarantine, it's hard to keep a healthy lifestyle on track as families manage more and more daily stress. In the video below, our Family Services Coordinator Lauren Kelly explains how to make simple, frozen sweet treats the whole family will enjoy. All you need is greek yogurt, a plastic ziplock bag, wax paper, and your choice of yummy toppings!
Give a Helping Hand
Since March of 2020, the percentage of adults who have experienced depression has tripled. Lockdowns, financial worries, and lack of social engagement have had a serious impact on our mental health. The CDC has published guidelines to help people cope with the stress that comes with the pandemic. Eating healthy meals, getting regular sleep and taking breaks from news stories all made the list. Many studies indicate that volunteering should also be considered.
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Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
During cancer treatment, prioritize infection prevention and food safety. Focus on rigorous hand hygiene, cooking foods thoroughly, and choosing freshly prepared meals. These practices help protect against infections and support overall health during treatment.
Exploring Math Through Cooking: Austin Hatcher Foundation Children Learn Measurement at Culinary Arts Camp
Summer fun took an educational twist at AHF during this year’s Cooking Up Fun Summer Camp! As part of our commitment to providing enriching experiences for children affected by pediatric cancer, campers explored hands-on math and science through the joy of cooking.
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Enrichment Activity - Painting With Ice
Ice painting is a great enrichment activity for all ages, and it's especially fun to create art outside during a warm, sunny day and watch how the paint changes as the ice melts. This activity is also especially ideal for young children who might not be able to hold a paintbrush well or children who struggle with fine motor skills. It's also easy to do with household items and has a very low cost of materials.
Dealing with Loss During the Holidays
We are in the midst of a busy holiday season. Many of us are looking forward to time away from work or school and time spent with family and friends. While we may celebrate and experience a lot of joy this time of year, this season also brings challenges. As we know, many in our community have lost loved ones, and some have lost loved ones to pediatric cancer.
Coping Skill of the Month: Breathing Technique
Using your pointer finger to trace your five fingers on your opposite hand. Start with your thumb and trace up to your fingernail as you breathe in, and exhale while your index finger meets between your thumb and index finger. This Breathing technique can help children, teens, and their families manage the emotional challenges of living with and beyond pediatric cancer.
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Celebrating Occupational Therapy
Thirty years of being an Occupational Therapist (OT) leaves me with multiple questions. First, how have I been an OT for 30 years? Wasn’t it just yesterday I was a brand new therapist starting on my journey in the therapeutic world? Second, am I ever not wearing my OT hat? Will I ever just go somewhere, and not think, “oh I could adapt that” or “I could help him or her with just a little bit of time”? Third, and probably most importantly, is there a way I could do it better? Well, I am hopeful that if I ever answer no to the third question, I will excuse myself from the profession and reflect on the memories of a wonderful career path.
Cancer and Siblings: A Guide to Support
Supporting siblings of children with cancer is crucial. Clear communication about the illness, maintaining routines for stability, spending quality time individually, addressing feelings of guilt, acknowledging emotions, and nurturing sibling relationships are key strategies for providing essential support during this challenging time.
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Beyond Survival: Nurturing Your Marriage While Caring for a Child with Cancer
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents step into a world that no one ever imagines they’ll face. The days quickly fill with hospital visits, and it’s common for a marriage to slip quietly into the background – not out of neglect, but because survival takes center stage.
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Building Brighter Futures: The Benefits of LEGO Play
There are many therapeutic benefits of LEGO play, including enhanced fine motor skills, spatial awareness, problem-solving abilities, and emotional resilience through creative building activities. At the Austin Hatcher Foundation, children affected by pediatric cancer can come play while also receiving free family support.
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A Look at Landon
You would never guess by looking into Landon’s sparkling blue eyes that she once was at risk of losing them. At eleven months old, Landon was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer in both of her eyes. Under the shock of the diagnosis and expecting their second girl, her parents Sarah and Dave sat in disbelief. How could this happen to their child? They were immediately sent to Vanderbilt hospital, where they began a fairly new form of treatment called inter-arterial chemotherapy. This treatment would hopefully allow Landon to keep her eyes and vision, rather than having them removed, which was the decades-old standard treatment for her type of cancer.
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5 Mental Health Tips for Caregivers Navigating a Child’s Cancer Diagnosis
In the midst of managing medical decisions and appointments, it’s easy for caregivers to put their own mental health on the back burner. But taking intentional steps to care for your mental health can help you show up stronger—for your child, and for yourself. Here are 5 practical ways to support your mental health during this challenging time.
8 Back-to-School Tips from an Occupational Therapist for Parents of Young Children
The back-to-school season brings a mix of excitement and anxiety–not just for children, but for parents too. Here are 8 practical strategies from an OT to ease the transition and start the school year on the right foot!
View the guide below for more information on camps, financial & medication assistance, research, wigs, transportation, housing, grief support, schooling, scholarships, Ronald McDonald houses, wishes & gifts, and more!
