Thriving! Survivorship Program for Children

Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, has a Thriving! Survivorship Program that addresses the special needs of childhood cancer survivors.

Our dedicated staff provides specialized care to nurture and heal all aspects of a patient’s long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional development after he or she has completed treatment.

We discuss social and emotional issues, such as relationships, employment, cognitive impact, insurance issues, and long-term health effects, including heart disease, lung scarring, infertility, and second cancers caused by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Thriving! Program Services

From the first day your child is diagnosed with cancer, our medical team provides the care and resources that your whole family needs to be well informed about the nature and course of your child’s illness, both during and after treatment.

We employ a comprehensive and holistic approach to care. Interventions and services provided include nutritional counseling for lifelong wellness; physical therapy and occupational therapy for children at risk for motor difficulties; neuropsychological evaluations for children at risk of cognitive impairment and educational difficulties; and psychological and social work support and referrals for any other emotional concerns or psychosocial needs.

Survivors are cared for and monitored long after treatment ends. Each survivor meets with members of an individualized Thriving! team that includes the child’s personal doctor or nurse practitioner, psychologist, social worker, nutritionist, and physical therapist, as needed. Appropriate referrals are also made for other medical practitioners such as endocrinologists, fertility specialists, cardiologists, or orthopedists.

Thriving! draws on the unique strengths of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital’s clinical, educational, and psychosocial programs. Ongoing support for adolescents and young adults is provided through support groups, educational guidance, and referrals to relevant community and outreach programs such as vocational assistance.

We aim to be there for children and families through every step of the cancer journey.