Friends of Karen Endorses New "Standards for the Psychosocial Care of Children With Cancer and Their Families"

Friends of Karen, a non-profit serving families in the New York Tri-State region, has endorsed “Standards of Psychosocial Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families,” an in-depth study by a team of experts in the fields of social work, child psychology and clinical psychology affiliated with the National Cancer Institute, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, among other notable organizations.

The study examines the psychosocial needs of a family when their child is being treated for cancer. The needs often include assistance with financial hardship, emotional and mental health support, education and anticipatory guidance, and special services for siblings of the ill child.

“For the first time, there’s a set of national standards that highlights why it’s critical to address the many needs of families caring for a child with cancer,” said Judith Factor, Executive Director of Friends of Karen. “The conclusions of this study validate everything Friends of Karen does.”

Friends of Karen provides comprehensive support, at no cost, to families caring for a child battling cancer or another life-threatening illness. Through personal advocacy from a team of experienced social workers, child life specialists, and creative arts therapists, they ensure that each family – and each family member -- receives an individualized program of emotional, financial and practical support throughout their child’s treatment. The study presents evidence that meeting psychosocial needs in just this way contributes to positive quality of life outcomes and can have a long-term transformative effect on a family.

“Addressing these needs for the whole family is as important as ensuring proper medical care for the ill child,” Ms. Factor said. “Friends of Karen has been in the forefront of developing and delivering psychosocial services for children and their families for 38 years – and we continue to do so every day.”

For more information about Friends of Karen, visit www.friendsofkaren.org or call (914) 617-4040.