PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2022

G U E S T C O M M E N T A R Y

SURVIVING CANCER, THRIVING THEREAFTER

BY TOM HAMMERTON AND STACY LITERSKY

T oday, more than 80 percent of kids survive their cancer diagnosis. But they deserve more than survivorship. They deserve to thrive. Eight years ago, John and Annette Heller recognized a need for full-circle care for pediatric cancer patients and their families. With a $2 million gift, they utilized the Caterpillar Foundation match to establish the Heller Center for Kids with Cancer at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois. They have since spearheaded a fundraising effort that has raised over $10 million for the Center. The Hellers’ commitment to kids with cancer extends far beyond medical treatment and disease. Meeting with patients and their families, the Hellers have seen the unexpected challenges children and their families face every day while fighting cancer. These physical, mental, emotional, educational and spiritual obstacles –

communitywho navigate anunexpected cancer diagnosis. Its programs were the missing link for patients and their families. They help coordinate care to meet each patient’s needs, which isn’t offered anywhere else in our region. The Heller Center for Kids with Cancer is a newmodel for post-cancer diagnosis at Children’s Hospital because every child deserves to live a happy, healthy life, during and after their cancer diagnosis. The following seven services were established to answer questions before they are asked by a parent of a patient: Patient family education and navigation guides fami l ies with information, training and other resources, while also creating a personalized action plan specific to their family and diagnosis. Mental and emotional health strengthens kid and family coping skills as they adjust to life with cancer, but also long after treatment ends.

John and Annette Heller

Hendrix and Lakota Porter

both during and after treatment – are often some of the hardest parts of the cancer journey. Overcoming them requires special services that cannot be reimbursed through the traditional insurance model. TheHeller Center for KidswithCancer is the answer for somany families in our

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