Referral FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. What is SuperSibs!?
  2. Who is eligible?
  3. How do children get into the program?
  4. When to make the referral?
  5. What information do you need for the referral?
  6. Must the kids have a sibling who is currently on active treatment?
  7. What happens if the sibling dies?
  8. How can I help?
  9. Why should you refer siblings to our program?
  10. How to reach SuperSibs!
  1. What is SuperSibs!?
    SuperSibs! is a national not-for-profit organization, based in Illinois, that serves to honor, support, and recognize the brothers and sisters of children with cancer so they may face the future with strength, courage and hope.

    2. ^ Back to top

  2. Who is eligible?
    All children in the United States or Canada, ages 4 through 18, who have a brother or sister with cancer.

    3. ^ Back to top

  3. How do children get into the program?
    Referrals come to us in many ways. Call our office directly:847-705-7427 (SIBS) OR 866-444-7427 (SIBS), E-mail us at bgauthier@supersibs.org, Fax a referral form to us at 847-776-7084, fill out the online referral form linked at the top right corner of the page, or mail a referral form to us: 5005 Newport Drive, Suite 502, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. Referrals can come from ANYONE – families or children directly, friends or relatives, or anyone working with the family to support their medical, educational or social-emotional needs.

    4. ^ Back to top

  4. When to make the referral?
    The ideal time to make a referral is within a few weeks of the child being diagnosed with cancer. So much of what we do is work to make the sibling feel special and important throughout the cancer journey.

    5. ^ Back to top

  5. What information do you need for the referral?
    We collect basic demographic information. Family contact information (parents’ names, address, phone, e-mail), ethnicity(optional), patient name and birthdates, diagnosis and diagnosis date, hospital and doctor, siblings names and birthdates. All information is confidential and never shared for any reason.

    6. ^ Back to top

  6. Must the kids have a sibling who is currently on active treatment?
    While most kids who are referred to SuperSibs! have a sibling who is actively under treatment, there are many children who learned about our program after their sibling has either completed treatment or did not survive treatment. ANY CHILD WHO HAS HAD A SIBLING WITH CANCER AND FEELS THAT SUPERSIBS! WOULD HELP THEM IS ELIGIBLE FOR OUR PROGRAM!

    7. ^ Back to top

  7. What happens if the sibling dies?
    When we learn about the death of a patient (and we request that you please let us know of any changes in family status), we send a Bereavement Package that includes a Cuddle Cloud (a soft cloud that inspires Hope), an age-appropriate journal, and a special note of comfort. These children DO continue to be a part of SuperSibs! even if their sibling dies.

    8. ^ Back to top

  8. How can I help?
    You can help SuperSibs! by remembering to refer all of your pediatric cancer families to our program. Don’t just refer those who are expressing serious issues – remember that the kids who become the “perfect” child are suffering in their own ways too! EVERY BROTHER OR SISTER OF A CHILD WITH CANCER DESERVES SUPPORT FROM THIS SPECIAL GROUP!!!

    9. ^ Back to top

  9. Why should you refer siblings to our program?
    • The brothers and sisters of children with cancer are truly the The brothers and sisters of children with cancer are truly the “shadow survivors.” Though they do not experience cancer directly, they are impacted in ways that change their lives drastically. Their struggle has been largely unrecognized and unsupported – grief from the loss of childhood as they knew it, loss of routine, affected friendships, a new definition of “normal”
    • Siblings of children with cancer are particularly vulnerable to depression, anger, anxiety, feelings of guilt, and social isolation.(Spinetta, 1981)
    • Siblings have been identified as the most emotionally neglected and unhappy of all family members during serious childhood illnesses.(Chesler, 1987)
    • Younger siblings were reported by parents to have more externalizing behavior problems (aggression, regression, school performance).(Ferrari, 1984)
    • Older siblings are at increased risk for internalizing disorders (depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive symptoms).(Stawski, 1996)
    • One study showed that nearly one third of the siblings of bone marrow transplant patients showed anxiety, social withdrawal, externalizing symptoms, and moderate levels of post-traumatic stress disorder. (Packman, 1997)
    • Siblings are at risk for poor academic achievement, impaired social interactions, guilt, aggressiveness, withdrawal, anxiety, tearfulness, jealousy, anxiety.(Sahler, 1994 and 1997)
    • There is increased sibling rivalry, anger, frustration, feelings of rejection, guilt, loneliness, sadness, confusion, and anxiety.(Kramer, 1981)
    • Researchers noted emotional stress, sense of emotional deprivation, decrease in parental tolerance, anger, and guilt.(Murray, 1999)
    • Nearly half (49%) of siblings reported mild post traumatic stress and 32% indicated moderate to severe levels. One fourth thought their sibling would die during treatment. Over half found cancer experience scary and difficult.(Alderfer, 2003)
    • Good care for siblings includes making siblings feel useful and participative, providing useful, manageable information, and giving opportunities to share thoughts and feelings. Assistance includes emotional support, fair attention and family life. (Von Essen and Enskar, 2003)
    • Siblings with more social support indicated significantly fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fewer behavior problems than siblings with less social support. High level of social support plays a protective role in psychological adjustment of siblings of pediatric cancer patients. (Barrera, 2004)

    10. ^ Back to top

  10. How to reach SuperSibs!
    Sandi Ring, M.S., CCLS National Outreach Director
    SuperSibs!
    5005 Newport Dr., Suite 502
    Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
    (847) 705-SIBS (7427) – phone
    (866) 444-SIBS (7427) – toll free
    (847) 776-7084 – fax
    (224) 715-5935 – direct number
    sring@supersibs.org – email
    www.supersibs.org – website

    11. ^ Back to top

Thanks so much for your interest and support of SuperSibs! When a child is diagnosed with cancer, everyone in the family needs healing including “the shadow survivors” — the siblings.