The Pedriatic Psycho-Oncology Program aims to improve mental well-being for children with cancer, their families, and survivors.

CanKids provides the several services at all stages of a child's cancer journey, as well as supporting service delivery through:
  1. One-on-one and face-to-face, online, or telephonic counselling and assessment by psycho-oncologists.
  2. Group therapies
  3. Expressive therapies
  4. Child Life interventions
  5. Building capacities of social support teams to provide counselling and emotional support
Identifying Barriers
​to effective psychological and emotional care, applying latest techniques
Securing the Rights
 of health-impaired children with opportunities for leisure and play
​Quality of Life
and emotional well-being of the child and the family during and after treatment
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, a child has the right to a full and decent life, including access to equal opportunities for educational, cultural, artistic, recreational, play, and leisure activities. But for children with cancer, treatment and financial support needs overrides their childhood. 

The treatment process that can be psychologically devastating. Patients and families don’t have the luxury of acknowledging their emotions. We work with healthcare professionals to ensure a family-centered approach that leads to better outcomes. We bring focus back to the child, helping them continue their "childhood" during their treatment.

Patient Support Interventions

CanKids provides a variety of psychological support services to patients, caregivers,
​and survivors at every stage of their battle against cancer.
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Psychological Counselling
  • Face-to-Face / Virtual / Teletherapy Counseling Clinics
Also called Special Intervention Clinics (SIC), they conduct psychological assessments, evaluation, and counseling for various stages of cancer (first line of treatment, relapse, pre- and post-surgery, palliation, end of life, bereavement, survivorship).
  • CanNurture eClinic
A bi-weekly online service for cancer survivors, Parent Support Group members, and CanKids employees.
  • Survivor Assistance Program
This intervention focuses on Post-Traumatic Stress aspects of survivorship and provides psychological counseling and other therapeutic interventions by addressing the unique needs and challenges of survivors, their parents, and other family members.
  • Terminal and Bereavement Support
Focusing on breaking bad news / disclosure, and preparing the parents and family members in cases where a child battling cancer moves from a palliative to terminal phase. 
  • Patient and Parent Teaching
Psycho-education sessions are conducted by our psychologists with patients and caregivers, on coping with stress, anxiety, behavioural issues and more. The aim of these sessions is to educate and empower patients and caregivers about the psychological issues they face during cancer treatment and to equip them with coping techniques.
Group Therapies
Includes 'Sharing & Caring Sessions' for parents dealing with emotional and psychological burdens. We provide a space for participants to share their experience and problems, stories of loss, hope, and renewal, and their own healing process.
Expressive Therapies
  • Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Procedural Pain
    • Redirecting a child's attention by providing Handy Candy (lollipops) in OPD clinics or procedure rooms in the Hospitals.
    • Educational materials on comfort positions, medical procedures, and also provide Hospital Dolls with Toy Medical Kits and distraction carts with items that relieve stress and decrease anxiety.

  • Therapies
    • Games, art, music, Clown Therapy
    • Relaxation, Meditation and Story Telling Sessions
    • Safe space for emotional expression
    • Opportunity for children with cancer to make the most of their present abilities
    • Engaging in something familiar and enjoyable during their course of cancer treatment
Child Life
  • Child Friendly Wards
We upgrade and beautify the hospital wards by providing a happy and cheerful atmosphere, making a child's hospital stay enjoyable. Under this intervention we set up play rooms, paint murals in the wards, and provide curtains and Play & Breakfast Tables, art & craft boards, colourful shoe racks, and televisions

  • Toy & Story Book Library
We equip wards with toys, games, and storybooks which provide a fun and happy environment

  • Kekdu Wish Box and Wishing Island: 
This includes granting the most cherished wish of children undergoing cancer treatment and giving them the freedom of choice by letting them select from a wide range of games, toys, and story books available.

Program Support Interventions

We enable social support teams and healthcare professionals to ensure best quality psychological support.
CAPACITY AND SKILL BUILDING, SENSITISATION
An ongoing multidisciplinary training program for psychologists, social workers, support groups, college students, and medical professionals through lectures, videos, role-play exercises, and group and field work. The training module focuses on counseling at different stages of cancer, group and supportive therapies, Child Life, palliative and bereavement care, research, and program management and implementation. 

​​IMPACT ASSESSMENT, RESEARCH, TOOL DEVELOPMENT
​Conducting impact assessment, studies, and research in the pediatric psycho-oncology field, developing tools, norms, guidelines, and projects for appropriate interventions. 

​PEDIATRIC PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY INTERNSHIP​
​Our internship program provides practical exposure in counseling, group therapies, Child Life, program management, research and tool development for students pursuing psychology and child life studies. ​