Other VIBSProgramme
Siblings' Days
is a day dedicated to siblings of children
with cancer to affirm their strengths and resilience in
coping with the impact of cancer in the family, and to
facilitate peer support. Held at Forest Adventure on
29 August 2015, 18 siblings of CCF beneficiaries
indulged inadayof excitingadventureas theyconquered
Singapore’s first and only treetop obstacle course. By
overcoming the challenging obstacles, the siblings
discovered their inner strengths such as courage,
perseverance, and compassion for others which could
help them copewith the challenges theymay face in their
lives ahead.
18PARTICIPANTS
Number of beneficiaries:
45
Casework in 2015:
107
CASEWORKSESSIONS
137
COUNSELLINGSESSIONS
118
FOLLOWUPCONTACTS
212
THERAPEUTICPLAYSESSIONS
298
HOMEVISITS
VIBSGotMail:
53
SIBLINGSSERVED
80
MAILSSENT
SIBLINGSSUPPORTSERVICE
Childhood cancer can bring about many challenges that
will impact not just the child and his/her caregivers, but
also the sibling(s).With the change in family routines and
dynamics, sibling(s) may feel neglected or isolated as
the adults’ attention is largely directed towards the sick
child.When thereare inadequate informationandsupport
to help the sibling(s) understand the child’s illness, the
sibling(s) may develop erroneous views and feelings of
guilt and self-blame. On the other hand, when siblings'
needs and emotions are adequately addressed, they will
develop greater empathy, better coping skills and closer
relationshipswith their family.
Siblings Support Service, also known as Very Important
Brothers and Sisters (VIBS), aims to help sibling(s) cope
with the impact of childhood cancer diagnosis in the family
by addressing their psychological, emotional and social
needs. Siblings are also invited to psychosocial and
recreational activities to strengthen family bonds.
To reinforce the importance of siblings in the family
and preserve the familial bond, CCF introduced the
“VIBS Got Mail” Programme at the hospitals in 2015.
The programme aims to promote communication among
inpatients, parents and siblings during the patient’s
hospitalisation.
An inaugural “Siblings on a Mission” hospital
psycho-educational tour
was held at KKH on
5 September 2015 with the aim to empower the siblings
with the knowledge to cope with childhood cancer in
the family. Seven siblings of CCF beneficiaries had the
opportunity to visit the hospital to learn about common
medical procedures and treatments, which helped to
ease their fears about childhood cancer.
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