Volume 35: Issue 33
Winter 2011
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
W ith the
growth of
Brookdale University
Hospital And Medical
Center
Sickle Star Advisory Board
Kusum Viswanathan, MD
Mario A. Peichev, MD
Natalie Sommerville-Brooks, RN
Verna D. Ademu-John, MS
Yana Pennant LMSW
Janis Atty, CCLS
Alexis Hodges, CCLS
Tina Primus
Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
Suite 346 CHC
I Brookdale Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718.240.5904
Sickle Care: The Comprehensie S ickle Cel l Program at Brookdale
Volume 35: Issue 33
Winter 2011
Child Life at Brookdale…...........1
More About Child Life...………..1
A Program to Help Your Child…...2
Program Happenings…………….3
Upcoming Events…………….....3
Ask the Doctor…………….…...4
Vote of Thanks..…………........4
T H E S I C K L E S T A R
F or children and parents hospital visits and stays can be frightening. The Child Life Program at Brookdale University
Hospital and Medical Center is here to help reduce the stress of illness, treatment and hospitalization for patients and their fam-ily.
Working under structured guidelines, the Child Life Specialist work within the Child Life Program to create an environment where the child can gain a better understanding of their hospi-talization, medical treatments and any procedures which they may need to undergo.
Child Life Specialists work in many different hospital areas. Most frequently you may find them in the inpatient unit, the PICU, the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Office, the Ambulatory Infu-sion Therapy Unit (AITU) and other areas as needed. They pro-vide therapeutic, educational and recreational activities to meet the unique emotional and developmental needs of our chroni-cally ill children and their families.
Child Life at Brookdale Hospital
More About Child Life
C ertified Child Life Specialists are trained in child develop-ment and in dealing with the effects of hospitalization on
children. They work closely with the healthcare team to address the individual needs of Brookdale's patients and their families. They are professionals who works primarily in pediatric settings. They promote effective coping in children and families under stress. They serve as educator for patients, families, caregivers, medical staff, administra-tors, and the general public.
At right - Child Life Specialist
Janis Atty works with Director Ped. Div.
Hem/Onc, AITU Staff, parent and patient.
Page 2
SEPTEMBER IS
NATIONAL SICKLE
CELL AWARENESS
MONTH
U.S. POSTAGE STAMP FOR
SICKLE CELL 2004
We continue to collaborate with
the Brooklyn/Staten Island
Blood Services to promote
community blood donations so
please DONATE.
Volume 35: Issue 33
Give Blood to Fight Sickle Cell
Disease
1.800.933.2566
Child Life Services Program
O ur Child Life Specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. The services
offered by our Child Life Program are the following:
· Medical Preparation and Play
Children learn through play. Medical play allows children to get com-fortable with medical equipment and procedures. It helps to alleviate anxiety and help gain a sense of control for children who are prepar-ing for any medical procedures.
· Procedural Support
Painful procedures are sometimes a reality of hospitalization. Child Life Staff is here to help children cope with difficult medical issues through various interventions such as distraction and relaxation tech-niques.
· Supervised Play & Activities
Children need to play, especially when they are in a new, unfamiliar environment, such as the hospital. We encourage normal play activi-ties and peer interactions while in the office and when hospitalized. Child Life can provide children with arts and crafts, toys and games.
· Family Support
Family is an important part of a child's life and healing process. We provided information and support to the families of our patients. Child Life Specialists also help siblings understand the medical situa-tion and to work through their own feelings and concerns.
· Special Events
Child Life organizes special events to provide opportunities for pa-tients and their families to socialize with peers and gain a sense of normalcy. Special events include recreational activities, holiday par-ties and invitation of special visitors.
So you can see, these talented staff members offer a great deal of services to your child. Please be sure to seek out our Child Life Specialists to help your child to have a pleasant experience when he/she attend their appoint-ments, or are hospitalized.
For more information please contact:- Janis or Alexis at (718) 240-5904.
Page 3
PR O G R A M HA P P E N I N G S
O N F R I D A Y , D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 1 , T H E D I V I S I O N O F P E D I A T R I C H E M A T O L O G Y / O N C O L O G Y W I L L
H O S T I T S A N N U A L H O L I D A Y P A R T Y I N T H E B R O O K -
D A L E E M P L O Y E E ’ S C A F E T E R I A , L O C A T E D I N T H E B A S E M E N T , A T B R O O K D A L E U N I V E R S I T Y H O S P I T A L A N D M E D I C A L C E N T E R . E A C H Y E A R V A L U A B L E I N F O R M A T I O N I S D I S T R I B -
U T E D T O P A R E N T S A N D L O T S O F F U N O N H A N D F O R P A T I E N T S . A D E L I C I O U S M E N U I S S E R V E D T O A L L G U E S T A N D F O R T H E P A S T T W O Y E A R S C H I L D R E N H A V E E N J O Y E D T H E C A N D Y S T A T I O N , W H E R E T H E Y G E T T O F I L L U P T H E I R G O O D I E B A G S W I T H T H E I R C H O I C E O F C A N D Y . O F C O U R S E T H E P A R T Y C U L M I N A T E S W I T H T H E D I S -
T R I B U T I O N O F P R E S E N T S T O A L L P A T I E N T S I N A T -
T E N D A N C E . I F Y O U H A V E N O T S I G N E D U P T O A T T E N D , P L E A S E C A L L O U R R E C E P T I O N I S T , M S . P R I M U S A N D G I V E H E R Y O U R N A M E A N D T H E N A M E S O F Y O U R C H I L D /C H I L D R E N W H O P L A N T O A T T E N D .
U P - C O M I N G E V E N T S
L O O K O U T F O R O U R C H I L D R E N ’ S A R T W O R K O N A 2 0 1 2 S I C K L E C E L L C A L E N D A R . O U R C H I L D R E N H A V E W O R K E D V E R Y H A R D P U T T I N G T H I S P R O J E C T T O -
G E T H E R . D A N C E C L A S S E S I N T H E P L A Y R O O M O N T H E 8 T H F L . : N O V E M B E R 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 9 , 2 0 1 1 D E C E M B E R 6 , 1 3 , 2 0 , 2 0 1 1 J A N U A R Y 3 , 1 0 , 1 7 , 2 0 1 1 F R I D A Y , D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 1 , A N N U A L H O L I D A Y
P A R T Y , B R O O K D A L E ’ S E M P L O Y E E C A F E T E R I A I N T H E B A S E M E N T .
M I D - J A N U A R Y I S T H E D E A D L I N E T O S U B M I T A P P L I C A -
T I O N T O E N T E R T H E ‘ A R T W O R K S ’ N E W Y O R K C R E A -
T I V E A N D P E R F O R M I N G A R T S E X H I B I T I O N ( S E E C H I L D L I F E S P E C I A L I S T S F O R M O R E I N F O ) .
S U N D A Y , M A R C H 1 1 , 2 0 1 2 , E X P R E S S Y O U R S E L F , A R T -
W O R K S E V E N T , A T K I M M E L S T U D E N T C E N T E R A T N Y U , 6 0 W A S H I N G T O N S Q U A R E S O U T H , N E W Y O R K , N E W Y O R K . T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T H O W T O P A R -
T I C I P A T E , P L E A S E C A L L C H I L D L I F E S P E C I A L I S T , J A N I S O R A L E X I S A T ( 7 1 8 ) 2 4 0 - 5 9 0 4 .
Volume 35: Issue 33
PROGRAM ANNOUNCE-PROGRAM ANNOUNCE-PROGRAM ANNOUNCE-
MENTS/HAPPENINGSMENTS/HAPPENINGSMENTS/HAPPENINGS
Parents Support Group {PSG}
Come one, come all! Parents
meetings are held on the first
Fridays of the month. Re-
freshments are served.
Parents receive valuable in-
formation and get an oppor-
tunity to exchange stories
and ideas with each other.
We need parents to come
out. The Fall/Winter support
group meetings are sched-
uled on Fridays, from 6:00 to
8:00pm, as follow:
November 4, 2011
December 2, 2011
January 6, 2011
February 3, 2011
Sickle Cell Youth Organization
{SCYO}
The Youth Group meetings
are scheduled for the same
day as the Parent Group,
however the sessions are
held from 4:30pm to
6:00pm, in the 8th Floor con-
ference room.
Youth Support Group encour-
age patients from ages 10
and above to attend.
Snacks are provided.
For more information on both
groups, please call
718.240.5904
Be Sure to Know Your
Family Health History
Parents, be sure to know what
runs in your family. We have
booklets that will help you to
understand genetics and how
genes relate to various condi-
tions. Ask for copies of the
Family Health History booklets
when you come to the office; or
call; 718 240-5904, for more info.
Ask the Experts…..Transplantation
and Sickle Cell Disease ….By Dr. Vis
I s there a cure for sickle cell disease? Yes! Children with sickle cell disease who
have had serious medical problems as a result of
having this disease may benefit from bone mar-
row transplant. Often children with this condi-
tion can develop strokes, acute chest syndrome,
enlarged spleen, infections, and many other se-
rious problems. When a child suffers from these
types of complications, it is a good time for
parents to consider a bone marrow transplant.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure where
stem cells are taken from one person (a donor)
and given to another person (a recipient) to al-
low them to make normal blood cells.
Why is this done for patients with sickle cell
disease?
Stem cell transplants can be done on patients
with sickle cell disease so that they can start
making healthy red blood cells.
So what are stem cells?
Stem cells are young red blood cells. When
these cells are given to another person, they
will grow into healthy new cell that will not
sickle and cause any problems.
How do you find a donor of stem cells?
The very best donor is a full sibling (same
mother and father) who does not have sickle cell
disease. A special blood test called an HLA test
can be taken and will tell if there is a match to
the sickle cell patient. Only about 10-20% of
patients with sickle cell have a matched sibling
donor.
The Nwoke’s Story See the story of their child’s cure through
stem cell transplant, on page
10 of our booklet, “A Guide to Family Health History”.
Pick up a copy in Room 346 CHC.
As Always ……
SINCERE THANKS FROM OUR FAMILIES TO
CHILLIN` WITH ADAM:
THE ADAM GAYNES FOUNDATION
SICKLE CELL THALASSEMIA PATIENTS NETWORK
ZITWER FOUNDATION
THE CARLITOS WISH FOUNDATION
JACK & JILL ASSOCIATES
HOPE CHRISTIAN CENTER
PINWHEEL PROJECT
PROJECT SUNSHINE
CHILDRENS WISH FOUNDATION
ARTWORKS FOUNDATION
COACH TITLEY & CANARSIE HIGH FOOTBALL TEAM
STARLIGHT FOUNDATION
THE OSCAR LITWAK FOUNDATION
BROOKDALE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION
THE DEPT. OF FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES
PEDIATRIC STAFF
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
PEDIATRIC FLOOR
DOUBLE “H” HOLE IN THE WOODS RANCH
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA
THE IVY ROSE FOUNDATION, INC.
FRIENDS OF KAREN
WE APPLAUD YOU!!!
Page 4 Volume 35 : Issue 33
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