Sibling Support

“To lose a sibling is to lose a piece of oneself. A sibling is neither a parent nor a friend. Siblings are of the same generation and blood. They are bound together by the inseparable bond of staying up past their bed time, making beards with the bubble bath, and the kind of teasing only a brother or sister can get away with. This is why Friends of Karen’s program for siblings is of the utmost importance.”
- Perry Allen, whose brother, Jared, died from leukemia in 1994

Children’s lives are turned upside down when their brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer. These children often become the “forgotten ones” when parents are overwhelmed with the intense treatment and care of their sick child.

Friends of Karen’s goal is to help young siblings build personal strength and the ability to cope with the immense challenges of living with a seriously ill brother or sister.

• Friends of Karen’s sibling support program is designed to offer early intervention.
• Expressive arts therapists – specifically trained in the fields of illness, bereavement and loss – work individually or in groups with siblings most in need of support.
• Through the various arts (painting, music, dance, drama, puppets, journaling or another art form of the child’s choice), the expressive arts therapist enables the child to identify feelings and fears, and find effective ways to cope.
• The unique aspect of the program is that the expressive arts therapist travels to the family’s home (a comfortable, safe place for the child) and, when necessary, to the hospital. Sometimes, the arts therapist works with the sick child, and guides the parents in fostering family dialogue on feelings and fears.