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Hope and Cope Psychosocial Educational Program


With the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer or blood disorders come many emotional and practical challenges for the entire family. The Hope and Cope Program, at the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, provides support and services from diagnosis onwards using a family-centered approach, where the family and healthcare providers are partners working together to best meet the needs of the patient.

Our interdisciplinary team of skilled and compassionate specialists, including social workers, child life specialists, pediatric psychologists, pediatric neuropsychologists, chaplains, hospital-based teachers, school liaisons, art, music, and rhythm therapists provide emotional, psychological, and spiritual support, and also assist with concrete needs. Our goal is to help families maximize their strength at all stages of their child’s treatment journey.

To ease the stress and distress from frequent hospitalizations or lengthy outpatient visits, the Hope and Cope Program offers the following emotional health and well-being activities:

  • Art/Music/Drumming & Rhythm Circle
  • Beads of Courage
  • Gardening on the Terrace
  • Group School or Bedside Instruction
  • STAR (School/Social Transition & Reentry)
  • Hand in Paw Animal-Assisted Therapy
  • Hands of Hope Volunteers
  • Individual therapy for patients orfamily members to help with specific, individual challenges being faced
  • Neuropsychological testing
  • Parent-to-Parent Mentoring program
  • Quarterly Oncology Dad’s Group
  • Weekly inpatient Caregiver Dinner Support Group
  • Pediatric Neuropsychology

In addition to clinical services, Hope and Cope team members are actively engaged in health related clinical research. Through these research projects, the Hope and Cope team seeks to better the health and well-being of children diagnosed with cancer or a blood disorder and their families.

Until childhood cancer and blood disorders are eliminated, Hope and Cope is here to empower young people and their families and to foster a sense of healing throughout the medical journey.

Avi Madan-Swain, PHD
Professor, UAB Department of Pediatrics 
Director, Hope and Cope Psychosocial Program
205-638-9285