Children's Cancer Services - The Strength of Expertise and the Power of Love
When a child has cancer, it's not enough for a hospital to have the most qualified doctors and advanced technologies. It's not enough to just have caring nurses and kind doctors in a kid-friendly, non-threatening environment.
You need both.
Our Ahmanson Pediatric Center provides hospital care tailored to the needs of children and their families. We are the only medical center in Los Angeles that offers all private rooms. Here, children and parents can stay together in peace. Families can visit anytime; there are no specific visiting hours. It feels as close to home as a world-class hospital can.
In most cases, a complete range of services is available to children on an outpatient basis at the Outpatient Cancer Center.
An Expert Team of Pediatric Specialists
From surgeon to anesthesiologist, from radiologist to nurse, each member of the Cedars-Sinai team is a specialist who understands children and their needs.
Under the direction of Charles Simmons, Jr., MD, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, and Carole H. Hurvitz, Director of the Division of Hematology-Oncology, a multidisciplinary team of board-certified physicians, surgeons, pediatric hematologists, oncologists, nurse specialists, clinical social workers, child life specialists and skilled volunteers bring expertise and compassion to the care of children with cancer.
The Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology uses state-of-the-art technologies to promptly diagnose, treat, support and follow-up children with cancer and blood disorders. Our medical team is affiliated with the Children's Cancer Group, an organization at the leading edge of current cancer treatments for children in the United States.
A Safe Environment in Which to Get Well
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is affected. The treatment, the stress of having cancer and the need to be in the hospital all take their toll on both child and family.
Our Child Life Program provides therapeutic play to help minimize the stress experienced by kids in the hospital. Developmental support and age-appropriate activities are offered in the playroom and at bedside to help create a sense of normal life and recognize a child's unique emotional needs.
In addition, psychosocial support services are available to both patients and their families. The psychosocial staff are specially trained in pediatric hematology/oncology support services.
Our social workers provide family assessment, education and supportive counseling to assist children and their families in adjusting to the diagnosis, as well as adapting to an often long treatment course. Our social workers coordinate the appropriate community referrals and assist with practical concerns.
Camp Rainbow - A Special Program for Special Patients
This unique week-long camp gives children and siblings aged seven to 17 a chance to interact with the doctors and nurses who treat them in a fun, carefree setting. This camper-counselor relationship adds a new dimension to the patient-doctor relationship.
Created in 1984, Camp Rainbow is totally funded by the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department and the Amie-Karen Cancer Fund for Children.
Amie-Karen Cancer Fund for Children
Founded in 1975 in memory of Amie-Karen Goldman, the fund supports the psychosocial team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and helps arrange transportation, meals, medication and other essentials to families who qualify for assistance.
