Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey helps pediatric cancer survivors go ‘Beyond the Cure’

An effort by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey to educate pediatric cancer survivors is receiving a boost from The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) in the form of a ‘Beyond the Cure’ educational survivorship conference grant. The $2,000 award will support the upcoming Survivors’ Family Education Night, an annual conference held by the LITE Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute that provides education on the late effects of cancer treatment in a more social-celebratory atmosphere.

The LITE Program provides long-term evaluation, support, and health education for the growing number of childhood cancer survivors. The program utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach to provide services for this population, including a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, advanced practice nurse, social worker, nutritionist, treatment nurses and access to medical specialists related to the management of long-term, late effects. Along with collaborating with experts from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (the flagship hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute), and Children’s Specialized Hospital, the LITE team also works with medical practitioners within survivors’ own communities.

“We realize that survivors and families are often pressed for time during clinic visits so although they are given written material on late effects, the materials may not be read. We have found that an interactive, in-person presentation in a more relaxed, non-clinical setting has the advantage of reaching a larger group of survivors,” notes Rutgers Cancer Institute pediatric hematologist/oncologist and LITE Program Medical Director Margaret Masterson, M.D., who is also an associate professor of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Over time, the education night also has become an anticipated annual reunion with repeat attendance of many long-term survivors,” she adds.

Past programs have focused on such topics as cardiac effects, fertility, stress management, neurocognitive late effects and 504 school accommodations.

For more information, call 848-932-8013 or visit www.cinj.org.