DeKALB – The Cancer Center at Kishwaukee Community Hospital offers a free, recurring group just for children ages 6 to 12 whose lives have been touched by cancer of a parent, grandparent or close friend. Dinner is provided each week at CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery).

The Kish Hospital Cancer Center is the first cancer center in the region to offer the program. Craig Pressley, LCSW, oncology social worker at The Cancer Center, is a CLIMB facilitator, approved through the Children’s Treehouse Foundation, founder of the program.

“CLIMB provides a unique opportunity for children to meet and learn from other kids who have a parent with cancer, through a variety of engaging activities, art and fun,” Pressley said. “Although CLIMB is a program for children, it also serves as a support for parents and caregivers to better understand how to talk with their children about their cancer and know they are not alone in their experience.”