Support & Services

Educational Group

Parents Lunch & Learn
This group meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. Lunch is provided while parents meet informally to learn about a variety of topics presented by multidisciplinary staff. Subjects presented in the past include: caring for your child with cancer, reading a ‘road map’ i.e. the clinical plan, medications, preventing infections, late effects of treatment, cancer’s effect on siblings/family, etc.
For further information call: (410) 955-4224 or (410) 955-8124

Support Groups

Weekly Support Groups
Social work staff offers a weekly educational and support program for parents and caregivers whose children are being treated for cancer.  Topics will vary, and guest speakers are invited.

The group meets on the inpatient unit each Wednesday at 1:30 - 2:30. Light refreshments are included.
For further information call: 410 955-8124

Grief & Bereavement Group
The bereavement coordinator (provides bereavement support to families anticipating their child's death and is available for follow-up support after the death.

The coordinator is also available for staff; conducting debriefings after every patient death. House staff may request an end of rotation debriefing. For further information call: 410-614-4750

Spiritual Support

Spiritual Support is another service offered at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Whether you are newly diagnosed or in remission, we understand that you may struggle to understand why this has happened to you, feelings of guilt, anger, grief, or isolation from your faith community. Beyond the support of our chaplaincy, which provides pastoral and spiritual care in a non-denominational setting, a non -denominational chapel is located on the first floor near teh Children's Center lobby and a private meditation room in the lobby of the Weinberg Building are open to patients and families 24-hours a day.  For inspiration, call to hear the recorded Prayer-for-the-day line at 410-955-8984, or to make an appointment with a chaplain, call the Department of Pastoral services at 410-955-5842.

Other Important Support Services

Image Recovery
Sometimes cancer treatments can change patients’ appearances and make them feel uncomfortable or just not themselves. Changes such as hair loss or scars are the most common. The Image Recovery Center, located onsite at the Kimmel Cancer Center, sells a host of items, from trendy scarves, hats and stylish wigs, to skin creams, nail polishes, makeup, and other products safe for cancer patients to use. Trained experts guide and instruct patients on how to use and apply the products. 410-502-5623

International Relations
We speak your language. Johns Hopkins International Patient Services has regional divisions with professional interpreters, natives of every region of the world, trained to interpret in the medical setting. Interpreters in more than 30 languages are available around the clock to assist you and your family before traveling to Baltimore, during medical appointments, and to make any arrangements related to your visit. www.jhintl.net; 410-955-8032

Travel Guide

Travel Guide, a full-service travel agency, is available to help patients and their families with air, hotel, and/or ground accommodations. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 800-225-2201 or 410-614-1859