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Families face many difficult tasks when a child has cancer. They must try to deal with a barrage of scientific/medical information at a time when their emotions are exceptionally stressed and when they seem to have lost the ability to protect their child. They must respond to recommendations by the medical caregivers. They must deal with regular activities at home such as work and other children. The cancer center giving care may be far from home and the family members may be separated from each other. They sometimes face financial problems.
Families need help facing these complicated issues. They should not hesitate to enlist help from extended family members, employers, and non-profit agencies (such as cancer societies, which may help with transportation costs). Many books and other resources are available to help families facing the serious illness of a child [Links].
Because of its rarity, less is known about PPB than about many pediatric cancers; thus families and caregivers face more unknowns. There are no easy answers to these difficulties. Information and detailed (and sometimes repeated) explanations by caregivers usually starts to make the situation easier. It is hoped that this website makes information about PPB readily available to help families and caregivers. Participation in this PPB Registry may give a family a sense that they can contribute to a body of knowledge which ultimately will make the situation better for future families facing PPB.
PLEASE CONSIDER ENROLLING IN THE PPB REGISTRY and in the GENETIC STUDY IN PPB:
For Families
Families who want to include their child’s information in the PPB Registry should review the For Families page on this website in order to understand the purposes of the Registry and the protection of patient privacy in use of Registry data. The family may then authorize their child’s hospital and physicians to give information to the Registry by completing this form:
Consent/HIPAA and Information Release Forms
Genetic Study in PPB: A New Scientific Study of PPB Causes
The International PPB Registry is conducting a major new study of genetic inheritance in PPB patients and their families. We ask that all PPB patients and their families consider participating. A detailed family medical history and a small blood sample are required. Please contact the Registry by phone at 612-813-7115 or by e-mail at gretchen.williams@childrenshc.org for more information.
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