PASIC

offers parent to parent support for families of children and young people diagnosed with cancer, leukaemia, a tumour or other closely associated illness, receiving at least part of their treatment at the Nottingham Children’s Hospital.

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PASIC, or Parent's Association for Seriously Ill Children, was formed in 1977 by parents and a hospital consultant.  Parents felt there was a need for support and that the best kind of support would come from other parents who had shared a similar experience.  PASIC has now grown and is currently supporting over 400 families throughout the East Midlands.  A large part of that support comes through our social events - organised to bring families together in a relaxed atmosphere where they can catch up with friends that they have made whilst in hospital and make new friends with families whose children have already completed their treatment.

The news that your child is suffering from a life-threatening disease such as cancer can turn your whole life upside down in a moment.  The whole pattern of living suddenly changes and the family is plunged into a world of uncertainty. As well as coming to terms with your child's illness, you may face problems varying from isolation to financial hardship. Difficulties may include reduced earnings - due to temporary absence from work, travelling costs and increased heating and telephone bills.

  PASIC provides help and support to families in the following ways:-

Paying Bills

Help is given to pay bills such as additional heating, increased phone bills, laundry or special diet costs and expenses, which come about as a direct result of the child's illness. Consideration is also given to requests for specific items deemed necessary due to restrictions caused by a child's illness.

Social Activities

PASIC organises a variety of social occasions and outings for the whole family, this is seen as a way of bringing the family together during what can be an extremely difficult period when the brothers and sisters of a seriously ill child often feel lacking attention.

Communication

PASIC produces a newsletter, which helps parents keep in touch with each other and provides focus on the ways that PASIC is able to help, either through the activities on offer or by sharing other parents' messages.

Support for teenagers

PASIC is currently exploring ways of supporting teenage patients with activities specifically aimed at this age group.

Bereavement Support

PASIC can help provide support at times of need and also assists the Chaplaincy department by providing support at the annual remembrance service.

PASIC relies on the support of its partners in the hospital, the medical staff, the nursing staff and the social work team, to name but a few. This entails a need for a permanent member of staff funded by PASIC who undertakes the administration and co-ordination of the group's activities inside and outside the hospital.