Cancer Support Community to Host a Free Conference to Strengthen the School's Response to Children Affected by Cancer

In NJ, more than 489,000 individuals are living with a history of cancer and 25% are raising children under the age of 18. Being told that you have cancer is a life-changing experience that affects everyone involved. It can create significant feelings of fear, isolation, and stress. For families with school age children, a cancer diagnosis of a parent or child can be even more complex because of the unique challenges of their child’s response to crisis during a critical stage in their development. Unfortunately, many times children go without the professional support they need to address the emotional and social impact cause by a cancer diagnosis.

As experts in oncology mental health, Cancer Support Community Central NJ has been working to increase the capability of schools to address the needs of their students and their families who are affected by cancer. The organization offers a bi-annual educational workshop called When a Family Is Affected by Cancer: Strengthening Our Schools Response, which will take place on October 30, 2015 at the Bridgewater Manor in Bridgewater, NJ. This day-long, statewide conference provides the tools and information needed to assist school personnel in their work with children and their families who are affected by cancer. Thanks to our program sponsors, this conference is being offered a no cost the approximately 200 school personnel who attend, including teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, and school administrators, as well as other community professionals that support school age children.

Cancer Support Community Central NJ is one of the few organization with expertise in dealing with school age children affected by cancer. Through our innovative, evidence based programs such as Kids Connect/Parents Connect Support Groups, School Based Support Groups for adolescents and teens and activities to build social connections, we have helped change lives. Amy Sutton, Executive Director, said that the event is an important one for the organization. “Hosting this conference gives us a unique opportunity to share our expertise in oncology mental health while empowering school professionals to be capable of responding to the initial needs of those they serve. We are expanding the reach of our services through trained school professionals. Long-term the relationships we develop with school professionals helps ensure that we become an essential resource to them families they serve.”

This year, we are honored to have as our key note speakers, Lori and Wayne Earl, parents to the late Esther Earl, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was 12 years old. Before losing her battle with cancer in 2010, Esther became the inspiration for John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. The Earls will speak about their personal journey and caring for a teenager with cancer in school.

This year’s event has been made possible through support from: Bayer Healthcare LLC, Carecycle, Investors Foundation, The Provident Bank Foundation, Lilly USA LLC, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Morris- Somerset Regional Chronic Disease Coalition, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Somerset County Youth Services Commission, and The Tyler Foundation.

Registration is required, there is no cost to attend. Attendees may also receive Continuing Education Credits and Professional Development Certificates. For more information including workshop selection and how to register, please call (908) 658-5400 or visit www.cancersupportcommunitycnj/registration.

About the Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey

Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey (CSCCNJ) is a registered 501 c (3) (EIN# 22-3804609), and an independently licensed affiliate of Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit organization. As experts in oncology mental health, the organization provides support, education and hope to all people with cancer and their loved ones, so that no one faces cancer alone®. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, CSCCNJ creates a supportive community to help individuals live with, through and beyond cancer. At no cost to patients, family members and caregivers, the organization delivers essential programs and services including individual and group support, educational workshops, nutrition and healthy cooking education, classes to enhance health and wellness and social activities for the entire family. For more information please visit our website at cancersupportcnj.org or call (908) 658-5400.