Support group helps kids cope with a parent’s cancer, other serious illness

(SACRAMENTO)

The UC Davis Child Life and Creative Art Therapy Department will host “Coping Together: Supporting Children Through a Parent’s Illness,” a support group for children who have a parent with cancer or other serious illness. The group is open to youth ages 5 to 12 and has three different sessions available this year. It will be in person and free of charge.

Illustrated tree

The group dates and times are as follows:

  • For ages 8-12: Mondays, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 and 8 from 3:45-5 p.m.
  • For ages 5-7: Mondays, Aug. 14, 21, 28, Sept. 11, 18 and 25 from 3:45-4:45 p.m.
  • For ages 8-12: Mondays, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and Nov. 6 from 3:45-5 p.m.

Each of the six sessions will provide opportunities for sharing, self-expression, learning and building coping tools. They will be facilitated by a child life specialist and music therapist, trained in child development, coping and self-expression.

All sessions will be held in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center building, Room 1100, 2279 45th Street, Sacramento.

To register, please email Emily McDaniel at ejmcdaniel@ucdavis.edu.