As part of the ongoing effort to provide family-centered care, some hospitals offer support groups to improve communication, education, and support for siblings. These groups give siblings a special place to have their voices and concerns heard and to interact with others going through the same experience.

All four of my kids have been going to the support groups for over seven years now. We have one group for the kids with cancer, which is run by a social worker. The siblings group is run by a woman who specializes in early childhood development. Both groups do a lot of art therapy, relaxation therapy, playing, and talking. They meet twice a month, and I will continue to take my children until they ask to stop. I think it has really helped all of them. We also have two teen nights out a year. All of the teenagers with cancer get together for an activity such as watching a hockey game or basketball game, or going bowling, to the movies, or out for pizza. They also see each other at our local camp for children surviving cancer (Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do) each year.