Each year approximately 270 children and adolescents are referred from Central Texas physicians to Cancer and Blood Disorders Program for evaluation of a possible blood disorder. Children with bleeding disorders such as Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease, and children with chronic anemias (such as Sickle Cell Disease), platelet disorders and other diagnoses are routinely evaluated and provided with individualized treatments and guidelines to maximize healthy participation in school and minimize hospitalization.
Web Resources
Texas Department of Health (Sickle Cell Disease)
Hemophilia and other Bleeding Disorders
The Histiocytosis Association of America
The Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, Inc.
Child Life Services and Support Groups for children and adolescents with blood disorders
The Children’s Hospital Hematology Child Life Program helps children and adolescents understand their medical procedures, cope with the stress of illness and express their feelings in constructive ways.
For our blood disorders program, Child Life Specialists offer the following special services:
The Hungry Bunch Teen Support Group
School Services
Sickle Cell Association of Austin – Marc Thomas Chapter
Camps
- Camp Ailihpomeh -for boys 7-17 with Hemophilia
- Camp Sky–for children with Sickle Cell Disease, 6-13 years
- Camp Rocky Ridge Teen Retreat-for patients with blood disorders, 13 years and older
Sickle Cell Disease Family Fun Night
A fun night with dinner and activities for families with a child with Sickle Cell Disease-held each September, Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month; sponsored by Dell Children’s Medical Center and ‘Specially for Children
Child Life Specialist Contact
512-628-1900