THE CHILDREN’S ONCOLOGY GROUP

Family Handbook Second Edition

PROVIDED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF

COPYRIGHT 2011 © CHILDREN’S ONCOLOGY GROUP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Disclaimer and Notice of Copyright The information and content provided in the Children’s Oncology Group Family Handbook for Children with Cancer is made available for informational purposes only for children and their families affected by cancer. While the Children’s Oncology Group strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the information may be out of date or incomplete in certain respects. Please do not rely on this information and seek the care of a qualified medical professional if you have questions regarding a specific medical condition, disease, diagnosis or symptom. The information and content presented herein is not intended to replace the independent clinical judgment, medical advice, screening, health counseling, or other intervention performed by your (or your child’s) health care provider. Please contact “911” or your emergency services if this is a health emergency. No endorsement of any specific tests, products, or procedures is made herein. The Children’s Oncology Group Family Handbook for Children with Cancer is proprietary to the Children’s Oncology Group (©2011).

Dear Parent, How I wish you had no need for this book. Since your child or teen has been diagnosed with cancer, however, I hope this handbook will prove very useful as you begin to navigate this strange new world of tests and treatments. While in many ways each child and family faces this challenge alone, please know this: Tens of thousands of St. Baldrick’s volunteers care about you, and are on a campaign to conquer kids’ cancers. In case you are not familiar with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the most important thing to know is that we are the world’s largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants. We offer volunteers ways to raise money in honor of kids like yours. We then grant that money for research that we—and our world-renowned scientific experts—believe will truly make a difference. We fund research at more than 220 institutions, including the one giving you this book. Our funding and fundraising also cross many international borders, from North America to Asia, Oceania, Europe and beyond. St. Baldrick’s is honored to provide this handbook to you and other families at more than 200 institutions that are part of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). This information comes from the true experts of the COG, whose research we are also proud to fund. You can read more about St. Baldrick’s at the end of this book. And please feel free to contact our Family Relations staff at (626) 792-8247, extension 261; or [email protected]; or visit www.StBaldricks.org. Our thoughts are with you,

Kathleen M. Ruddy Chief Executive Officer

1333 S. Mayflower Avenue, Suite 400, Monrovia, CA 91016 | Local 626.792.8247 | StBaldricks.org

Toll Free (U.S. only) 888.899.BALD

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