Cancer and Blood Disorder Support
Supported by the Sunrise Fund, which was started at Stony Brook to raise awareness of childhood cancer and to fund specific programs, our cancer and blood disorder support services help children and families deal with many of the issues that arise during treatment for these conditions.
Programs and Services
The Dan Brooks Memorial Educational Award for Students With Cancer
Open to all graduates of the Pediatric Oncology Program at Stony Brook Children's, this award helps with higher education costs, such as college or post-high school vocational training. It was established in memory of Dan Brooks, a young man who completed treatment for leukemia at Stony Brook but later died in an automobile accident.
Inspired by his experience with childhood cancer, Dan went on to obtain his degree in special education so he could help children facing challenges. This award reflects his dedication to education and empowering young people.
Stony Brook has received many accolades for this one-of-a-kind program, which gives EVERY child who graduates from the Stony Brook pediatric cancer program a small monetary award (approximately $500 to $1,000) designated for the child's post-high school education. Each award is given annually through four years of college. The department helps support 20 to 25 students in a typical school year.
Call (631) 444-7521 for more information.
Living in Love
Through palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care, this program is designed to minimize the physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering of children diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders and their families.
The interdisciplinary program promotes quality of life by providing supportive care services to these children and their families. The care is comprehensive, compassionate, and sensitive to cultural and spiritual diversity. Services can include medicine, nursing, child life, chaplaincy, psychology, social work, language interpretation, nutrition and pain management.
Bereavement support includes personalized memory boxes, memorial bricks for placement in Babies and Children’s Memorial Garden, “A Children’s Remembrance” ceremony, and parent/family workshops.
In addition, Living in Love team members participate in research and education, provide educational programs and facilitate support services for staff.
Call (631) 444-4000 for more information.
The Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Team
The Pediatric Neuro Oncology Team (PNOT) is a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals developed to offer advanced diagnostic, therapeutic and supportive care to children diagnosed with brain and spinal cord tumors—maximizing both the opportunity for cure and the best possible quality of life.
Play It Forward-ACTS Program (Athletes, Courage, Teamwork and Support)
Initiated and coordinated by a Stony Brook nurse practitioner, this program links sports teams from Stony Brook University and local high schools to children in the pediatric hematology/oncology program. Its "win-win approach" gives Stony Brook student athletes an opportunity to serve and offers social support for children with blood disorders or cancer.
School Re-Entry and Intervention Program for Children with Cancer and Chronic Blood Disorders
The leading program of its kind on Long Island, Stony Brook Children's School Re-Entry and Intervention Team leads a collaborative effort to facilitate educational services for children with cancer and chronic blood disorders during and after illness.
The interdisciplinary team provides faculty and classroom presentations to address the medical, psychosocial, and educational needs of the student-patient. The program works with all schools in Suffolk and Nassau Counties to return children to school in the most productive setting possible. The goal is to provide open communication between the hospital, school, and family and remove obstacles that impede a smooth transition.
In addition, the team presents an annual conference called "Educate the Educators," which reaches healthcare professionals, parents, and community members to educate them about the impact of childhood cancer and blood disorders on education.
Stony Brook's School Re-Entry and Intervention Program is nationally and internationally recognized. It serves as a model for other institutions, with team members frequently presenting at national conferences and serving on boards of nationwide professional organizations.
For more information, call (631) 444-7521 or click here.
Surviving the Search
FREE College Workshop and Expo for Students with Cancer and Blood Disorders
With the generous support of a Community Impact Grant from CureSearch, the School Intervention & Re-Entry Program is proud to offer a workshop specifically for students with cancer and blood disorders who are transitioning to college. This program is designed to educate these students, their siblings, parents, and school personnel about their unique needs and to empower this special population of students to realize their academic goals.
In addition to the workshop, there is an optional essay writing workshop led by an experienced AP English teacher. This hands-on session guides students through the process of telling their personal stories through college essays. After the workshop, there is an expo with representatives from many regional colleges and illness-related organizations available to speak individually with students and families about their schools, programs, and services.
