Information for Bill Roberts Parents and School Community about Allison returning to school

Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
1056 E. 19th Avenue, Denver, CO 80218





Date: August 17, 2007
Regarding: Allison Winn
To: Dianna Litvak
AGE: 7 year old

To Whom it May Concern:

Allison Winn is a patient of ours treated in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Allison was diagnosed with a brain tumor and is handling treatment well. As she returns to the 2007 academic school year, there are a few things for school officials and peers to keep in mind.

Cancer is a disease that people of all different ages and races can get. Cancer happens when the body cannot control the growth of some of the cells in your body. These cells grow faster and in different shapes than they are supposed to. Cancer is not something that you or anyone caused you to have, cancer just happens sometimes.

Developmentally, children Allison's age often believe that the patient did something "wrong" or "bad", which has then caused the patient to become ill. We as adults know that this is not the case and often need to reassure children. We don't know why some children get cancer and others don't. Perhaps some day one of your students will be doctor that figures this out!

Children sometimes believe that cancer is contagious, like the flu. This is not so. A person cannot "catch" cancer from another person. However, a person with cancer can catch colds easier than most other kids! It is important to help keep Allison safe from germs by washing hands after the restroom and before eating. It is also important for everyone to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, and follow that up with a good hand washing too! If students have a fever or cold symptoms, staying home from school that day would not only protect Allison, but it will aid in the ill student's recovery too!

Children this age also have quite the imagination and may believe that cancer has changed the child. That the child with cancer has become someone else. Please remind the students that Allison is the same person they knew the previous year. The same girl that loves to eat ice cream and play with her sister!

Allison may look different on the outside, but she is the same, intelligent and playful girl on the inside! If students have questions about her appearance, or why she may not be in school, Allison is the best expert they can ask!

It is important to remember that childhood cancer is different than adult cancer. Children heal faster and are often more resilient! If students, parents or staff have further questions, staff at The Children's Hospital are available to come to your school for en educational presentation. Please contact Wanda Simms, RN, Molly Hemenway, PNP, or Allison Donohue, CTRS/CCLS at 303-764-8357.

Thank you for your time!


Allison B. Donohue, MS, CTRS/CCLS
Therapeutic Recreation/Child Life Specialist
303-864-5617