Children, Teens, Families
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- Support
Children & Family Program
Our Children, Teen and Family Program is designed especially for kids and teens living with cancer themselves or who have cancer in the family and is built upon the five pillars of our program model: support, healthy lifestyle, education, social opportunities, and information and referral. We utilize age-appropriate support and educational activities.
Our program is free and open to CSC Iowa & NW Illinois participants with children.
- Join the Fun
At Cancer Support Community...
CSC Iowa & NW Illinois offers programming for children and teens impacted by cancer. Along with offering educational and psychosocial support, CSC Iowa & NW Illinois is a place for kids to be themselves, meet other kids who are impacted by cancer, and have fun.
Noogieland Activities
- Kids' Club (supervised play time for younger kids): Supervised play for children. Children interact with vetted volunteers and play games, make crafts, and have fun. Children make connections with others who have been impacted by cancer, and have a time when they can just be themselves.
- Teen Time: A time for teens to come together and interact with others that are also impacted by cancer. Teens create a unique bond with others who have shared similar experiences to their own.
Additional Support Programs
- Kid Support: A peer support group designed for kids under the age of 13 to assist them in understanding cancer and helping them to build healthy communication with their parents. Kid Support is activity based with a large discussion component to get kids comfortable with discussing their feelings about cancer in a safe environment. Kid Support is facilitated by a licensed mental health professional.
- Grief Support: This program is offered at CSC Iowa & NW Illinois and in the schools and is designed to help students who have had a loved one die due to cancer. Grief Support is typically held with 4 or 6 sessions that incorporate a variety of hands-on activities with a specific discussion topic each week.
- Camp
Camp Genesis
June 15 - 20, 2025
A cost-free overnight camp for kids entering grades 4-9 whose family has been affected by cancer!
At Camp Genesis, kids impacted by cancer can be kids again. Many of these children grow up quickly due to cancer. Camp Genesis is entirely free for these kids, thanks to MercyOne Genesis Cancer Care Institute’s generous support through the Genesis Foundation. It offers a free week of residential camp at Camp Shalom in Maquoketa, IA. Here, they can bond with other kids affected by cancer and enjoy activities like archery, canoeing, rope courses, campfires, songs, swimming, and more.
Camp Genesis also includes group activities with CSC Iowa and NW Illinois staff, where they can discuss cancer and emotions. There’s a day trip to the MercyOne Genesis Cancer Care Institute for a hands-on tour, meeting doctors and staff, and learning about cancer diagnosis and treatment. Kids can ask questions in a safe environment to ease their cancer journey.
As a parent, you can rest assured that your child is in a safe environment and forming relationships with others facing similar situations.
- Join the Fun
Events for the Whole Family
Family fun events are hosted monthly. These events provide families of all ages a space to make connection, share some laughs, and get creative. Snacks are always provided.
We understand that “family” looks different for everyone and welcome anyone you would consider to be part of your family. Kids and teens are welcome to bring a friend!
- Support for caregivers
Frankly Speaking About Cancer: What do I tell the kids?
A cancer diagnosis impacts families in many ways. Even if a child has not been told about a loved one’s diagnosis, they can sense when something is wrong. Not telling a child what the family is facing leaves them to imagine situations that are often worse than things really are.
It’s normal to feel uncertain when starting a conversation about cancer with your kids and teens. You’re not alone in this. Additional information and guidance is available. Meet with a CSC Iowa and NW Illinois social worker to discuss kicking off this conversation and receive FSAC: What do I tell the kids materials.
Contact: Nora Bosslet, Nora is available by phone at 563-726-5708 or email at nora@csciowaillinois.org.
- Community Partnership
Cancer Support in the Schools
By partnering with local schools, CSC Iowa & NW Illinois brings vital emotional support and resources to students in educational settings. CSC Iowa & NW Illinois offers a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn to cope with the impact of cancer on their lives or the lives of their loved ones, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
