Howard Family Dental has pledged $150,000 to ensure children of sick patients at St. Joseph’s/Candler get the help and support that they need during a time of distress.

The new Howard Hand In Hand Support Program for Children at St. Joseph’s/Candler will provide support, education and guidance to children and teens with a family member facing a life threatening disease.  The donation will expand and help fine-tune a program that began at St. Joseph’s/Candler in 2013.

This free program will help children cope with and process their thoughts and feelings - often fear, sadness, anger, confusion - about how life has changed for them and their families because of illness or disease.

“I believe that Howard Hand in Hand will help meet the emotional and spiritual needs of many children and families facing extraordinary challenges,” said Dr. John Howard, Founder of Howard Family Dental.  “This program will provide the support children will need in, perhaps, the most challenging times of their entire life. Together, we can all give life-changing support, encouragement and hope.” 

When a family member gets cancer or some other serious or long-term illness, it’s not just the patient feels the effects. It can be especially problematic for children. Because every situation is different, the specially-trained, licensed professionals at St. Joseph’s/Candler can devise just the right plan to ensure that children have all their questions answered and get the support they need. 

“Our mission is to provide the most advanced treatments and clinical trials to patients of our community so they can stay home with their families and not have to travel to receive the best in cancer care,” said Nancy Johnson, executive director of the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. “Providing support to the children frees the parents dealing with their cancer to focus their energies on fighting this disease.  The Howard Hand in Hand program helps to heal the whole family.” 

The Howard Hand In Hand program features:

One-on-One Counseling

• One-on-one counseling in a location convenient for both child and family.
• Maximizing the child’s support system.
• Facilitating honest communication about the illness and their emotions.
• Addressing common questions.
• Guiding children affected by anticipatory grief.

Monthly Support Groups

• Age-appropriate support groups meet once a month for an hour at the Nancy N. and J.C.  Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.
• Led by a Social Worker who interacts with the children by using fun games and activities.
• Allows the child to feel less alone and open up about their feelings. 
• A parent or loved one may be present to hear interaction between child and social worker. 

Why Howard Family Dental Chose to Give

After losing his own mother to cancer as a child, Dr. Howard desired to support children in a similar situation. Children of cancer patients can be unsure what is happening within their family, why their family member is not feeling well or acting the same and unsure who they can talk to about their family member's illness. Dr. Lindsay Sammons, Director of Howard Family Dental Foundation, also experienced her mother's fight against breast cancer as a young girl. Fortunately, her mother is in remission. Dr. Lindsay knows firsthand how cancer can affect the entire family. Together with St. Joseph's/Candler Foundations and the support of all Howard Family Dental team members, HFD has vowed to raise funds and support the Howard Hand in Hand program. 

Details About The Program

The Howard Hand in Hand program is a free, confidential resource for children of patients who have been diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, heart failure, stroke, etc. The Social Worker will gladly meet with the parent or loved one first to answer any questions or concerns regarding the child and even provide tips on how to effectively communicate to them.

To learn more about this program or to speak to the Social Worker call 912-819-5704 or visit www.sjchs.org/howard-hand-in-hand.