PATSY R. SKINNER CANCER FOUNDATION, INC.
More than one million people in the United States are diagnosed with some form of cancer each year. And of that one million people diagnosed, what about the K.I.D.S that are affected by the news?
The Patsy R. Skinner Cancer Foundation’s (PRSCF) program provides the necessary support for K.I.D.S ages 5-18 that have lost their parents or legal guardians due to their battle with a cancer related illness.
The Patsy R. Skinner Cancer Foundation (PRSCF) believes in supporting the next generation. We strive to help the K.I.D.S by (Keeping Individual Dreams Supported) and providing them the opportunity to reach their full potential. PRSCF helps with scholarship funds for tuition and/or books to further their education; travel expenses to be with their family; counseling sessions if needed; funeral arrangement assistances; medical prescriptions and more.
PRSCF has a strong focus on seeing K.I.D.S go on with life, be productive and lead productive lives even though cancer has impacted their life in such a major way. The Patsy R. Skinner Cancer Foundation believes this is our way to help heal a world affected by a monstrous disease.
Welcome to the Patsy R. Skinner Cancer Foundation
When K.I.D.S. lose a parent...
Children need help to cope with their grief when a parent dies (according to hospicenet.org). The surviving parent is usually the main person who must provide the help a child needs in coming to terms with the death of the other parent. However, often the surviving parent is so involved and even incapacitated by their own grief that support from friends and relatives proves essential.
It is important that all those close to a bereaved child should be able to discuss how it was and how it is. Children need to have the facts and the feelings surrounding their loss confirmed often; for this reason it is also important to listen to what they have to say. They will probably need to hear and discuss things over and over again.
Check out what they think, correct and confirm the facts, help them accept their feelings. Above all accept their time scale - a child's grief can be spread over many years. It may also resurface in adulthood, especially at a time of crisis and/or celebration. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to grief and expressing loss, but being honest with children is essential in order to avoid them becoming confused by half-truths and fears.
Children in different age groups grieve in different ways so the help given may need to change to suit the age and personality of the child. This information aims to provide guidelines for parents or caregivers to help them meet the needs of grieving children.