Sample News Release

Free Support Group for Children of Cancer Patients Offered at Your Hospital

Imagine you are a child who has just found out that your Mom or Dad has cancer. Is Mom or Dad going to live? Is he or she going to get really sick from treatments? Am I still going to get to be on the soccer team? Who will drive my carpool?

These are just a sampling of some of the questions a child might have after a parent's diagnosis of cancer. The free support program, Bear Essentials* at your hospital is designed especially for the needs of such children so that they can better understand what cancer is and express their fears, hopes and dreams.

Monthly Bear Essentials* meetings are held from time at your hospital for children ages _____ years old and their parents. In the meetings, children learn about the hospital environment, how to deal with their feelings and changes that occur in their families as a result of illness. These ideas are presented through stories, activities, crafts and music. Parents meet concurrently to discuss issues related to family communications, answering young children's questions and coping with medical problems.

This month's Bear Essentials* meeting will be (time, date, place). The program is free of charge. Reservations are requested. Call (your phone).

 

*If you do not call your program "Bear Essentials," insert your program's name as appropriate.

Sample Letter to Community
Date

Name of Agency
Address of Agency
City, State, ZIP

Dear Name of Agency,

Bear Essentials*, a free support group for children of cancer patients is a new community resource in name of your city. The program is designed to meet the basic needs of children when a parent is ill:

• Information
  
• Support
  
• Opportunity for expression
  
• Hope

Children between the ages of ______ who have a parent with cancer are invited to participate from time on date at place. A group for parents meets concurrently to discuss coping with cancer and strengthening the family. Bear Essentials* is free of charge and open to the community.

Enclosed you will find brochures that describe the program in more detail. Please feel free to call me at your phone number with referrals for the program or if you have any questions.

Thank you. Sincerely, Coordinator's Name/Title

*If you do not call your program "Bear Essentials," insert your program's name as appropriate.