Donation provides cancer support
Abby Bosco
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: Pulse
The pediatric oncology division of the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago recently received a $50,000 donation from the National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. UIC's division of pediatric hematology/oncology provides services to children and adolescents with cancer, leukemia, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and other blood disorders.
Lauren Lux, a pediatric oncology social worker, will be using this donation to directly benefit the children affected by cancer and their families. Dr. Mary
Lou Schmidt, head of the division of hematology/oncology at UIC, said they are incredibly thrilled to have a dedicated social worker for [their] children and families struggling with cancer. Dr. Schmidt noted, "[Lauren Lux] understands the special needs of our patients and will have a great impact on the services and support we offer patients."
Indeed, the patients of the pediatric oncology have special needs. Lux described emotional support as one of the most important needs of the children and families. She explained, "Battling cancer means that you are on a roller coaster of emotional and physical ups and downs and the stress and strain that having a seriously ill child puts on a family is limitless." Other special needs include financial assistance, school and educational needs, as well as advocacy.
Lux plans to not only be an advocate for these families but also to empower them to advocate for themselves. She also explained many things she plans to accomplish at the medical center including ongoing counseling and emotional support that focus on openness and responsiveness to the children and their families. "Develop[ing] program[s] that will make our patients journey through the cancer treatment process a little less trying is one of the many objectives of this grant."
Lux described one of the programs that target teenagers battling cancer. "These young adults come together once a month and go on field trips. Teens spending time with others going through the similar experiences is a pretty powerful tool for support," said Lux.
The National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society's donation will not only benefit cancer patients at UIC, but at Rush Children's Hospital and Stroger Hospital of Cook County as well.
Along with the medical center, UIC students are also involved in supporting those battling cancer. UIC's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) has raised over $40,000 for cancer research in the last two years and will host a third Relay for Life event in the spring. Erin Perkey, the CAC president for UIC's 2008-2009 academic year, will lead the UIC chapter in its continuing goal to spread cancer awareness on campus. Perkey explained, "This year we are trying to do more volunteer events with the hospitals in the area and the American Cancer Society." Among these events is the American Cancer
Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October.
For more information and resources on cancer visit the American Cancer Society's official web page at www.cancer.org and for more information on UIC's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer visit www2.uic.edu/stud_orgs/service/cac/.
Lauren Lux, a pediatric oncology social worker, will be using this donation to directly benefit the children affected by cancer and their families. Dr. Mary
Lou Schmidt, head of the division of hematology/oncology at UIC, said they are incredibly thrilled to have a dedicated social worker for [their] children and families struggling with cancer. Dr. Schmidt noted, "[Lauren Lux] understands the special needs of our patients and will have a great impact on the services and support we offer patients."
Indeed, the patients of the pediatric oncology have special needs. Lux described emotional support as one of the most important needs of the children and families. She explained, "Battling cancer means that you are on a roller coaster of emotional and physical ups and downs and the stress and strain that having a seriously ill child puts on a family is limitless." Other special needs include financial assistance, school and educational needs, as well as advocacy.
Lux plans to not only be an advocate for these families but also to empower them to advocate for themselves. She also explained many things she plans to accomplish at the medical center including ongoing counseling and emotional support that focus on openness and responsiveness to the children and their families. "Develop[ing] program[s] that will make our patients journey through the cancer treatment process a little less trying is one of the many objectives of this grant."
Lux described one of the programs that target teenagers battling cancer. "These young adults come together once a month and go on field trips. Teens spending time with others going through the similar experiences is a pretty powerful tool for support," said Lux.
The National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society's donation will not only benefit cancer patients at UIC, but at Rush Children's Hospital and Stroger Hospital of Cook County as well.
Along with the medical center, UIC students are also involved in supporting those battling cancer. UIC's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) has raised over $40,000 for cancer research in the last two years and will host a third Relay for Life event in the spring. Erin Perkey, the CAC president for UIC's 2008-2009 academic year, will lead the UIC chapter in its continuing goal to spread cancer awareness on campus. Perkey explained, "This year we are trying to do more volunteer events with the hospitals in the area and the American Cancer Society." Among these events is the American Cancer
Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October.
For more information and resources on cancer visit the American Cancer Society's official web page at www.cancer.org and for more information on UIC's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer visit www2.uic.edu/stud_orgs/service/cac/.
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