How to Help a Child With Leukemia

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia. Doctors have made great progress in treating childhood leukemia.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Children's Books
• Juice Boxes
• Cotton Swabs
• Mouthwash
• Popsicle Molds

1. Teach your child about the disease. If she's old enough, explain bone marrow and white blood cells.
2. Ask her pediatrician for videos and/or books about childhood leukemia. Look for resources online.
3. Tour the pediatric hospital so your child will be familiar with the nursing units, the long hallways, and the playrooms.
4. Talk to experienced counselors in the social services department at the pediatric hospital. Often they can provide dolls and toys for children to use in role-playing - a healthy activity that allows children to act out their fears.
5. Avoid overprotecting your child or restricting her activities. Follow her doctor's advice on how active she can be.
6. Contact families and support groups in your area for children battling leukemia. It's therapeutic for leukemic children to interact with each other.
7. Provide palatable foods - your child's chemotherapy will cause some nausea and vomiting.
8. Encourage her to take fluids by providing her with ice pops and fun beverages like juice boxes. Milk may be too hard to digest.
9. Help her with good mouth care. If your child does not have the energy to brush her teeth regularly, wipe her teeth, gums and tongue with a swab dipped in diluted mouthwash.
10. Let your child pick out some fun caps or hats if the common side effect of hair loss causes self-consciousness.
11. Spend time holding and loving your child. A parent's touch can be a powerful healer.

Tips & Warnings

• Call (800) 458-NCCF to speak with the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. NCCF supports state-of-the-art laboratory research and first-class care to leukemic children.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.