Chemo-Bear
Chemo Bear was started by caring parents who have walked the road of childhood cancer themselves. Chemo Bear was designed to provide comfort and help deal with anxiety and fear in children diagnosed with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
Each year in the U.S. approximatley over 12,600 children are newly diagnosed with cancer and with each one of those children diagnosed comes fear, worry and pain. Friends Like Us wants to always be able to put a chemo bear into their hands to help them through their journey. No, we can't take away their pain, but we can help with their fear & worry by visually educating a child about their treatments and what they will experience, as well as open up a line of communication with them for the doctors and caregivers.
Why A Teddy Bear?
The teddy bear is a symbol of love, security, comfort and friendship. At any stage of life, teddy bears represent happiness and safety as well as cheers us up when feeling lonely or sad. Friends Like Us has chosen the classic, yet loved by everyone teddy bear to help children through their journey with cancer.
Children will play and interact with the Chemo Bear in a like manner that their doctor's and caregivers will perform on them. The Bear is more than just a toy or huggable friend, it's a medical play tool that helps parents and caregivers to visually educate children in what they will have to go through and experience in their cancer treatments. It gives a child a sense of control by allowing them to pretend to be the doctor. That's why we call it "Getting Better Together" because as the child gets better and goes through the journey of cancer, so does their bear. It's more than a great bond of friendship, it's a process of healing!
The Chemo Bear and all that comes with it, is completely free of charge to any family with a child going through cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Parents, please see the parents section on what you need to do to receive a Chemo Bear.
We have hospitals, doctors, nurses and social workers backing us up with how well the Chemo Bear is helping children in the process of going through cancer.
We recommend ages between 3-12, but that always depends on the maturity level of the child. We have helped some teenage children diagnosed with cancer that was special needs and we've seen some boys that would say "no way, I'm not playing with a teddy bear". So, just know that the age brackets are not written in stone.
Disclaimer: The Chemo Bear is not recommended for children under the age of three due to potential choking hazzards of small parts.
What's included with a Chemo Bear:
* The Black-Bear (18" high quality, made extra soft for cuddling)
* Book "I'm a Kid Living with Cancer"
* An implantofix/port with tubing in Chemo Bears chest
* A real stethoscope (for the child to take care of the bear) and to listen to their own heart beat with.
* Medical Bag with Accessories (plastic syringe for giving bear chemo & medicines, gloves, alcohol wipes, mask)
* A diagnoses report for Bear (same as child's diagnoses)
* Bear Shirt (personalized with child's name on it)
* Chemo hat/bandana for bear/child
* Friendship Heart (our friendship connection)
* A Gift for any young siblings in house (age 12 or under)
* A hand-made greeting card (made by another child)
With our Young Siblings Program; We will help the young siblings of a cancer patient to not feel left out when the cancer patient receives a Chemo Bear package. We will give toys or mini bears with their name on it and a special card just for them to say thank you for helping your brother/sister through their journey of cancer.
I'm a Kid Living with Cancer is an introduction to the medical side of cancer for kids. It covers treatments and the changes it brings to daily life; encompassing each stage from diagnosis through treatment, and onto remission. Inspiration for learning how to cope while living with cancer and all on the child's level.
We have partnered with Jenevieve to offer this special package "Chemo Bear and Children's book" to children diagnosed with cancer to help educate and bring understanding on their level. If a child is diagnosed with cancer, this is a must have book for them. We provide this book free of charge with a Chemo Bear.
Author
Jenevieve Fisher
I'm a Kid Living with Cancer
If you have a child that is diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, we would like to help your child with a Chemo Bear and a children's book on cancer. All of this is free of charge to you, we don't want you to worry about the cost; you focus on your child to get him/her better and we will help brighten up their spirit with a Chemo bear. It is our privilege and heart to be a part of the healing process as your child journies through their battle with cancer.
There is a Chemo Bear Application (PDF below) that we need you to fill out to customize the Chemo Bear for your child. It must be signed by a parent or legal guardian so we can begin customization. Because of HIPPA Laws, we only deal with Social Workers, Parents or Legal Guardians and need permission to verify information with hospital. Thank you for understanding :)
Chemo Bear
Application
Fill out application and mail, fax or email back to us. Any questions, you are more than welcome to contact us
If you're a doctor, social worker or oncology staff and would like some information about starting our Chemo Bear program in your hospital for children diagnosed with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, please feel free to contact us. We have a Hospital Packet that is available and we will send one out to you explaining all about the program and how it works. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
Please feel free to contact us via the contact form or phone. Thank you!
Friends Like Us
Phone (419)557-8543
Fax (419)709-9669
Sam Age 9
Addison Age 6
Please help us continue to keep Chemo Bears coming in for the many children diagnosed with cancer. That's what this page is for; to let you know that we need your help :) Helping these kids is an ongoing process and we need your help to keep doing it!
For a donation $25 or more, you can Adopt-A-Bear to help us provide a Chemo Bear and a child's book about cancer to a child living with cancer. Not only will a Chemo Bear provide a huggable friend, but it will help begin the healing process of their journey through cancer. This Chemo Bear and book helps in visually teaching a child about their cancer treatments. Your generosity & help is appreciated... Thank You
Printable Donation Form
for Credit Cards or checks
ADOPT NOW
Make A Donation
of $25 or more
You will be able to print a receipt immediatley after your donation. 100% of all proceeds from Adopt-A-Bear donations goes back into getting & providing more Chemo Bears for children with cancer. So thank you for helping!
Do you have a moment please,
to give a bear to one in need?
Cuz teddy bears need hugs to live...
A Child with cancer has a lot to give!
~Friends Like Us
