A Guide to Bone Marrow Transplant for Children and Their Families
Part 2: Super Sam versus the Marrow Monsters (YouTube)
This 20-minute award-winning, animated film features Sam, a young boy making an epic movie production about his own transplant experience. Along the way, Super Sam meets many everyday heroes (patients, siblings, health care staff) who talk about the hospital, their feelings, what transplant is, and what recovery is like.
Children and their families can learn about transplant together through two simple steps:
Step 1: View video
Watch Super Sam versus the Marrow Monsters, or order a free DVD.
You can also view special features that provide more information for each individual in your family:
Step 2: Play and learn
After watching the video, continue to learn through the following activity and informational sheets:
Patient activities:
- Your questions (PDF) – children can be comforted to learn that it’s normal to have a lot of questions about transplant. This resource will help you discuss and capture questions.
- Share your feelings (PDF) and How are you feeling today? (PDF) – expressing feelings can be difficult for many children undergoing transplant. These resources will help you discuss feelings and ideas for coping with these feelings.
- Super Sam’s BMT crossword puzzle (PDF) and Word find (PDF) – two fun activities to help children become familiar with many of the new words and phrases they will hear through the transplant process.
- Decorate your room (PDF) and Super Sam’s path home (PDF) – leaving home and heading to the hospital can seem overwhelming to a child. These resources will help patients learn about and prepare for the journey ahead.
- Wash your hands song (PDF) – post this song near sinks to make hand washing fun.
Sibling resources:
- A note from me (PDF) – this activity will help brothers and sisters share their feelings, ask questions and identify ways to communicate.
- What can siblings do (PDF) – this informational sheet provides ideas for brothers and sisters to care for themselves and to help the family during the transplant process.
Parent and caregiver resources:
- Parent checklist (PDF) – this checklist will help you prepare for your child’s transplant and stay at a transplant center.
- Taking care of you, the caregiver (PDF) – taking care of yourself can be a challenge when caring for a sick child. This resource provides quick, easy ways to recharge, prioritize and ask for help.
- Support for siblings (PDF) – this resource provides insights and strategies for helping your well children during the transplant process.