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CNN showcases Erlanger’s Kids Count Program

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CLICK HERE to see the CNN video profiling the Kids Count program
Read the full article at CNN.com

On January 18, a CNN television crew visited Erlanger to learn more about the Kids Count Program and produce a story for their Health Minute and Weekend House Call news shows.

Kids Count is specifically designed to support children of family members or friends with cancer. Participants generally range from 6 to 11 years old and live in Chattanooga or the surrounding region. The goal of the support group is to help children deal with their emotions through hospital tours, craft projects, question/answer sessions and companionship. Not only does the program take place at the hospital, but the uniqueness of the Kids Count Program is that the coordinators also travel to elementary schools to work with the children and their school counselors.

Sam Harris, Erlanger's Oncology Patient Advocate, attended a workshop several years ago sponsored by Children's Treehouse Foundation. While he was there, he received information about a children's support group called Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB). When he returned, he went right to work revitalizing Erlanger's Kids Count Program.

Peter Van Dernoot, executive director of the Children's Treehouse Foundation, was so impressed with Harris' work, he asked him to present the Kids Count Program at the next workshop. It was there that CNN approached Van Dernoot to do a story on support groups for children, and he recommended they feature Erlanger's Kids Count Program.

During CNN's visit, the crew followed Dr. Jeffrey Gefter, radiation oncologist, Janet Kramer-Mai, manager of Erlanger's Cancer Resource Center, Chemo Bear and a group of 15 students from Dade County as they toured the radiation and infusion areas at Erlanger's Baroness Campus. The reporter interviewed the coordinators and the children, asking them about their experience with the program. It was a true learning experience for both the children and the television crew.