Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDigitalCommons@WPI

Great Problems Seminar Posters Great Problems Seminar

2011

Complementary Treatments For Children WithLeukemiaNina ColonWorcester Polytechnic Institute

Lindsey Gallagher

Dylan Heinricher

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Recommended CitationColon, Nina; Gallagher, Lindsey; and Heinricher, Dylan, "Complementary Treatments For Children With Leukemia" (2011). GreatProblems Seminar Posters. Book 95.http://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/gps-posters/95

What is Leukemia? Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that forms in the bone marrow. The bone marrow produces defective white blood cells that do not fight against infection. How common is pediatric Leukemia? Leukemia accounts for 33% of all pediatric cancer. How is Leukemia Treated? Treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation over long periods of time. In severe cases, bone marrow transplants may be used. What is a Complementary Treatment? Any therapy used in combination with standard and conventional medicine usually aiming to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Provide educational information to patients and doctors about complementary treatments for pediatric Leukemia. The information can be distributed to hospitals nationwide who specialize in pediatric ailments.

Children With Leukemia Nina Colon (BME) Lindsey Gallagher (BME/PreMed) & Dylan Heinricher (CE) Method

References 1. "Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - Overview - Clinical Health Topics." Children's Hospital Boston.

Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site759/mainpageS759P0.html>. 2. Levine, Margie. Surviving Cancer: One Woman's Story and Her Inspiring Program for Anyone

Facing a Cancer Diagnosis. New York: Broadway, 2001. Print. 3. Pozniak, Alexa. "Nontraditional Therapies Help Cancer Kids - ABC News." Editorial. ABC News

[Boston] 06 Nov. 2011. ABCNews.com: Daily News, Breaking News and Video Broadcasts - ABC News. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=116969>.

4. Leukemia Research Foundation. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.leukemia-research.org/page.aspx?pid=214>.

5. "Alternative Therapy for Cancer - Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago." Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago - At the Forefront of Kids' Medicine. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.uchicagokidshospital.org/online-library/content=P02715>.

For Patients • Eating the right food • Exercise • Humor and Attitude • Music and Sound • Healing by Touch

For Doctors/Hospitals • Provide bright colored rooms for

patients • Nickname tumors • Provide support from adolescent

counselors who are survivors of cancer

To improve the quality of life and attitude of children currently undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Statistics Leukemia is the leading disease cause of death in

children 2,000 children are diagnosed with Leukemia each

year 75% of Parents use complementary treatments

Advisors: Jill Rulfs, Helen Vassallo, Tim O’Neil

for

Implementation Propose the plan to the director of a pediatric hospital. Send trained advisors, one in charge of structural changes, the other behavioral, to implement and oversee method in a particular hospital.