Patient and Family Resources 
At Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, families play an active role in the healing process, which is why we believe in providing each member of the family with the resources they need on the journey toward recovery.
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy
Our Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team works closely with pediatric oncology patients and families as they adjust to the physical and emotional rigors of cancer care. Using music, literature, art, and therapeutic play, Child Life team members guide children, siblings, and parents through difficult moments by encouraging them to be creative and discover their own strength.
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, located just steps away from Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, provides a temporary home-away-from-home for families of children facing illness. Learn more here.
Wellness and Survivorship
The Institute of Medicine tells us that survivorship begins at the time of diagnosis, and yet treatment of childhood cancers and blood disorders may have effects long after therapy ends. Therefore, continued long-term care that supports pediatric and adult health is key.
In the Wellness and Survivorship Program at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, our goal is to prevent, detect, and treat problems that could arise from treatment for cancer and blood disorders, including from stem cell transplantation. As with each program, a multidisciplinary team of specialists is dedicated to the holistic care of each patient, providing comprehensive evaluation of the physical, psychological, and social needs of our survivors and their families. This approach ensures optimal healthcare delivery to this unique population. The program additionally participates in the development of clinical research trials to reduce the long-term effects of chemotherapy and radiation on our young and growing patients.
The survivorship care team consists of a pediatric oncologist, nurse practitioner, and social worker, who are specially trained in caring for survivors. Patients in the program receive a personalized Survivorship Care Plan, which provides a summary of their treatment and a customized plan for follow-up in the years to come. Recommendations are based on our vast experience caring for survivors as well as guidelines published by the Children’s Oncology Group, known experts in the field of childhood cancer and beyond.
Surrounding the care team is a group of specialists familiar with evaluating the health of childhood cancer and stem cell transplant survivors. In collaboration, the team within the Wellness and Survivorship Program:
- Monitors and managers physical and psychological late effects
- Provides health education to survivors and their families regarding diagnoses, treatment exposures, and potential late effects
- Provides referrals to specialists and resources
- Encourages activities that promote health and wellness
- Supports social, education, and vocational needs
- Assists with financial and insurance issues
- Guides transition from pediatric to adult-focused healthcare
- Empowers survivors to advocate for their own healthcare needs
- Facilitates research into long-term survivorship
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program
The needs of AYA patients with cancer are multiple, complex, and different from younger pediatric patients or older adult patients. AYAs are typically navigating more mature issues at the time of diagnosis, including self-identity, independence, relationships, increasing school and professional responsibilities, and issues of sexuality and fertility. The AYA program was developed to acknowledge and meet these needs head-on.
The mission of the AYA program is to provide high-quality, evidence-based, coordinated care that promotes the physical, psychological and emotional health of adolescents and young adults with cancer during and after therapy by empowering them with the resources and knowledge they need to live an independent and fulfilling life.
The multidisciplinary AYA team consults on all newly diagnosed patients aged 15 and older to provide age-appropriate resources, counseling and referrals on a wide range of topics that impact this special age group.
AYA Team
Disease Specific Resources
Select a condition below to learn more about resources available to your family.
Leukemia and Lymphoma
Westchester Chapter
1311 Mamaroneck Ave. Ste. 330
White Plains, NY 10605
Phone: 914.949.0084
Contact: Denise Raptoulis
Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter
6 Automation Lane
Albany, NY 12205
Phone: 518.438.3583
Contact: Rachel Hunt/Susan Koberel
NYC Chapter
475 Park Ave. So. 21Fl.
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212.448.9206 ext 259
Contact: Shirley Moy
Fairfield County Chapter
25 3rd. St. 4th Floor
Stanford, Conn. 06905
Phone: 203.967.8326
Contact: Phyllis Osterman
Provides educational materials, copay assistance program for certain blood cancers, referrals to other support services and materials for schools and teachers.
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Brain Tumor
Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation
274 Madison Avenue, Suite 301
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212.448.9494
The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy to families and survivors.
Learn More
National Brain Tumor Society
55 Chapel Street, Suite 200
Newton, MA 02458
Phone: 617.924.9997
Fax: 617.924.9998
Learn More
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Neuroblastoma Cancer
Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation
360 W. Schick Rd. Suite 23 #211
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Phone: 866.671.2623
Fax: 630.351.2462
info@cncf-childcancer.org
Dedicated to fund-raising, support, research and advocacy for children with neuroblastoma and their families. Parent-to-parent information network and sponsors of a conference for parents and professionals every odd-numbered year.
Learn More
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Sarcoma
Sarcoma Foundation Of America
9899 Main Street, Suite 204
Damascus, MD 20872
Phone: 301.253.8687
Fax: 301.253.8690
Provides a variety of information on all sarcomas.
Learn More
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Support Groups for Teens and Young Adults
The following sites allow you to connect with other teens and young adults who have been impacted by cancer. They also offer support and resources, during and after cancer treatment:
Stupid Cancer
40 Worth-Street, Suite 808
New York, NY 10013
877.735.4673
Stupid Cancer provides resources, support, and a smart phone app to connect you to a global community of peers that understand what you’re going through because they have been there too.
Learn More
The Ulman Fund
1215 East Fort Avenue, Suite 104,
Baltimore, MD 21230
1.888.393.FUND (3863)
The Ulman Fund is a support group that creates a community of support for young adults impacted by cancer. Ages 15-39
Learn More
Livestrong (Planet Cancer)
2201 E. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78702
1.877.236.8820
Livestrong offers support and resources for adolescents and young adults.
Learn More
Group Loops
734 15th Street NW | Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
1.888.793.9355
Group Loops allows you to connect with other teens impacted by cancer. They also offer support and information.
Learn More