The Centre for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCC&BD) at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick with the donated funds from 'Kids with Cancer Foundation Australia' have employed a Clinical Nurse Consultant for Clinical Practice Development and Research. 

This nursing position was created to address a strategic goal of the CCC&BD to encourage and promote the use of and development of nursing research to enhance the care of children with cancer and blood disorders. 

The role has three distinct areas of practice:

1.    Promote the use of nursing research to change practice.  This has been done through the use of focus groups, policy development, and practice initiatives. 

2.      Encourage the development of nursing research through support and mentorship.

3.      Supporting staff’s professional development

•    Assist staff in submitting work for presentation as well as develop the presentations.

•    Support staff in writing manuscripts.

4.      Children’s Oncology Group (COG)

CCC&BD is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group in the USA.  As a member of this cooperative group, we will collaborate on clinical trials in children with the diagnosis of cancer.  My role for the CCC&BD encourage staff to become involved and promote and facilitate staffs involvement in any protocols or projects that may be relevant to the CCC&BD.  BACK

Sydney Cord & Marrow Transplant Facility – Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Officially opened BY His Excellency, Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia on Friday November 17th, 2006.

Peter Bodman Executive Director of Kids with Cancer Foundation alongside the plaque dedicated to the sponsors of the Facility

Thanks to the enormous support of the 'Kids with Cancer Foundation', the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick has established Australia’s first Stem Cell facility dedicated to the treatment of children’s diseases. Through the innovative use of non-embryonic stem cells, the Hospital will lead the world in the treatment of children’s cancer. Your contribution has enabled us to build this new facility, without your donation there would be no Stem Cell Facility. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity you have allowed CCC&BD to pave the way forward in this innovative treatment

Every year 350 children in NSW are diagnosed with some form of cancer or blood disorder. Bone Marrow and Stem Cell transplants now play a major role in the treatment of cancer and other blood disorders – in particular leukaemia. Produced within the bone marrow, stem cells are valuable in fighting diseases, because of their ability to regenerate the immune system.

Only fifty percent of patients find compatible bone marrow donors from their immediate or extended family or in bone marrow donor registries. The remaining fifty percent of patients must find a suitable unrelated donor in Cord Blood Banks.

One of the greatest risks for any transplant patient is the treatment required prior to the transplant when the patient’s marrow stops producing white cells, red cells and platelets. This period places the patient at life threatening risks of anaemia, haemorrhages and infections. Children who have a bone marrow transplant need multiple blood transfusions, antibiotic therapy and will suffer from painful mouth ulcers during the more than two week period it takes for the new marrow to regrow after the transplant.

Innovations:

 The Australian Stem Cell Facility will provide the following groundbreaking initiatives:

• Ability to grow, multiply and expand the number of stem cells available for transplant for children in life threatening situations caused by cancer and other blood disorders.
• By culturing the cells for up to one week prior to the transplant we will increase the cell number and diversity, so that transfusion, infection and mouth ulceration are avoided.
• Significantly reduce the time taken for the new marrow to reach normal functioning in the child having the transplant.
• Greatly reduce the number of patients who die while waiting for a transplant.
• Possibility of transplants being performed on an "Outpatient" basis diminishing the need for children to remain isolated in one room for up to two months.

All this means less time in hospital, less infection, less supportive treatment, lower cost and most importantly, improved survival rates for these brave children.  BACK

Medical Day only Unit – Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Sponsored by the 'Kids with Cancer Foundation'

The Medical Day Only Ward is one of two wards within the Hospital’s Centre for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders. This innovative unit enables children with cancer or blood disorders to have procedures and treatments in a day ward rather than being admitted to hospital. Patients come from all over NSW and even interstate. Each year the unit treats over 3,000 children.
Children requiring certain medical procedures are able to come to the Hospital at a convenient time for the child and their family, have their procedure, whether that be chemotherapy, blood transfusions or minor surgical procedures. Once the patient has recovered and is stable they are able to return to the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home. Children with chronic medical conditions can spend less time in hospital and more time at home and school while parents require less time off work.

The overall effect this has on the child and family is significant. The flexibility and advanced planning we can now offer families, ensures that there is minimal disruption to the already stressed family unit. Research has shown that providing this type of treatment on an outpatient basis reduces the stress and trauma associated with hospital stays or visits for both the child and their family.
 

With the most generous support of the 'Kids with Cancer Foundation' the Sydney Children’s Hospital has been able to improve the services for children with life threatening cancer and blood disorders, and to vastly enhance the ability of the ward to treat patients efficiently and effectively.  BACK

Children's Cancer Centre at,

Monash Medical Centre/Hospital Melbourne: $1.157m

We approached the Royal Children's Hospital, Monash Medical centre and Peter McCallum Cancer Institute with an offer of funding.  The KOALA parents group had been working with Southern Health and Monash to provide more kids cancer services in Clayton.  Our offer of funding came at the right time and we were asked to provide all the funds to construct the new Day Ward. 

Since our first payment of $650,000 the Victorian Government announced the new Paediatric Integrated Cancer Services group, PICS.  The size of the project changed and the total funds required to complete the Day Ward has risen to $1.157m.  We are pleased to be able to provide the total funds to, Southern Health/Monash Medical Centre, to complete the program.

The funds we have provided, come from the $2 raffle tickets we sell in Victorian shopping centres.  Help us to continue our support of Victorian cancer sufferers by buying $2 tickets when you see our displays.

MATER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, BRISBANE

Complete Care Program

Sponsored by the 'Kids with Cancer Foundation' Brisbane Mater Children's Hospital
 

The Complete Care Program at the Mater Children's Hospital aims at providing complete care for the child with cancer and his/her siblings.  The program consists of a variety of activities and programs.  Activities within the program are constantly changing and being updated, however some examples may include:

Pre-School Group - Playsense: The "Playsense" program is aimed at children and siblings between the ages of 3 - 5 years.  This program is facilitated by the occupational therapist, with input from the art therapist, school teacher and music therapist.  Specifically, this program seeks to provide developmentally appropriate and fun experiences for those children who are unable to attend day-care/preschool due to hospitalisation, compromised immune system or other family stressors.  Age appropriate music, stories, and play are the main activities of this program.

September 2005: The pre-school "Playsense" group has been running weekly on Monday mornings since receiving funding from 'Kids with Cancer Foundation'.  This group has been well attended by both inpatients and outpatients, with kids often accompanied by parents and siblings.  The group has received a great deal of positive and encouraging feedback from both children and their families, regarding the activities. 

Specific aims of the group we feel we have achieved include:

• Opportunity for socialisation and peer support

• Chance to practice and enhance age appropriate development skills through the use of fine-motor, sensory, visual-motor and musical activities

• Opportunity for children to express themselves through music and creativity

• Enabled children to access fun, playful and motivating activities to balance effects of hospitalisation and chronic illness.

Goals for this group include:

Sharing and cooperation

Communication

Social play

Friendships

Body language and cues

September 2005: The oncology art therapy group continues to offer a valuable service to children on the oncology ward, and has been running weekly on Tuesday's.  This is theatre day in oncology, and the group gives the children the opportunity to focus on fun activities to distract from the pre-theatre routine (eg. fasting).  The group also gives children an opportunity to engage in age-appropriate art activities.  These art projects, which can be completed in a short time, result either in an item to be taken home, or a group project which can be displayed within the ward.  The group gives children a positive reason to leave their rooms and to socialise with other patients within the context of a structured activity.  There are also opportunities for parents to participate and engage in a playful activity with their child.  Each group begins with a 'warm-up' activity or game, which encourages social interaction and group cohesion.

Late Effects Program: This program at the Mater Children's Hospital, is aimed at providing ongoing monitoring and support of children who have been treated with cancer in an attempt to identify both medical and psychosocial issues which may impact on their long term future.  This program is facilitated by a nurse.  Participants are assessed by a nurse; medical issues are then referred on to a medical officer, whereas psychosocial issues such as schooling difficulties are referred to a psychologist or other appropriate support service.                                                                      

Music Therapy Program: The general music therapy program at the Mater Children's Hospital, aims at assisting children and their siblings adjust to the cancer experience through the use of music.

Due to an increase in numbers of primary school-aged patients (aged 5 - 11 years), the body awareness and relaxation group was started to meet the emerging needs of this age group. This group is facilitated by the music therapist and occupational therapist and runs weekly. The purpose of the group is to increase patients' understanding of their bodies and to help patients understand links between physical feelings and emotions. These goals are achieved through various musical play, singing and movement activities. Patients are also taught a range of relaxation techniques to assist children in developing appropriate coping strategies for anxiety-provoking situations.
             

Teenage Program: The teenage program at the Mater Children's Hospital, is aimed at supporting teenagers diagnosed with cancer.  This program is facilitated by the occupational therapists, with the support from the social worker, school teacher and music therapist.  The teenagers are encouraged to explore and express their feelings through the use a variety of different mediums, including storytelling, writing songs etc, creating power point presentations.  This program also aims to facilitate interactions with existing support services such as Seize the Day and Canteen who aim to provide support to teenagers and their siblings through the development of supportive, friendships with peers who are undergoing similar experiences.

Siblings Program: This program at the Mater Children's Hospital, aims at providing emotional support to children who have a sibling affected by cancer.  This program includes individual sessions with children and sibling days which are held during school holidays, approximately four days are held throughout the year.  The Sibling's Day program consists of a variety of activities where children visit areas within the hospital, meet hospital staff and have the opportunity to ask questions about cancer.  This program also provides an opportunity for children to share experiences and issues about life as a sibling of a child with cancer.  This program is facilitated by the occupational therapist, in conjunction with the schoolteacher and the social worker.  The music therapist, social worker and a variety of other staff members are involved in this program 

 Band Program: The rock band program is designed for and aimed at adolescent patients and their siblings.  This program is designed to foster opportunities for peer interaction within a safe context and acknowledges that adolescents are able to offer each-other a unique and valuable form of support.  Rehearsals are held each school holidays and as with all music therapy programs, no musical experience is necessary.  This program is facilitated by the music therapist.

CD Program: The CD program is an innovative program that aims to provide children with an opportunity to interact with peers of a similar age and simultaneously fosters the development of self esteem.  Recognising that siblings of these children often feel "left out".  They are encouraged to participate in this age-appropriate program.  The CD program begins with a series of group rehearsals, progresses to the recording of the CD and culminates in a launch of the CD.  The program is unique in that it results in the production of an object that can be retained as evidence of a positive hospital experience.  This program is facilitated by the music therapist, who is intending to involve as many parents and their families  as possible.

The Medical and Procedural Treatment Program:  This program is aimed at all children who are receiving treatment, this program seeks to assist children to cope with their disease and treatment by providing developmentally appropriate medical play.  Preparation for medical procedures includes de-sensitisation to medical equipment, practicing medical procedures and visits to other medical departments within the hospital where children may need to visit, e.g. the operating room, adheres  unit and the radiology department.  Another component of this program is the production of educational videos/DVD's which are used to prepare children for procedures.  This program is facilitated by the occupational therapist. 

   Thanks:

Our greatest thanks goes to the Kids with Cancer Foundation for funding the new Complete Care Program at the Haematology and Oncology Ward (8 East) of the Mater Children's Hospital.  We are very excited about this program and the many changes it will bring to the lives of the children who visit the ward.

Michelle Connery, Fundraising Officer, Mater Children's Hospital Brisbane.   BACK