Collaborative Legacy Building to Alleviate Emotional Pain and Suffering in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Case Review
Laura Cahalan,
Ashley Smith,
Melissa Sandoval,
Gwendolyn Parks,
Zachary Gresham
Affiliations
Laura Cahalan
Department of Support Programs—Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Life Program, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 0087, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Ashley Smith
Department of Support Programs—Arts in Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 0087, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Melissa Sandoval
Department of Support Programs—Arts in Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 0087, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Gwendolyn Parks
Department of Support Programs—Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Life Program, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 0087, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Zachary Gresham
Department of Support Programs—Arts in Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 0087, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Childhood cancer patients experience emotional hardship associated with their life-threatening diagnoses. Interdisciplinary team members working in pediatric cancer care can help alleviate physical pain and psychological suffering of children by facilitating collaborative legacy-building activities with patients and families. The contents of this article aim to support legacy building as a medium for emotional healing prior to the end of life. The authors use a case review to contextualize legacy-building projects and provide a comprehensive overview of methods and considerations for these initiatives.
