Providing a Healthy Environment to Patients with Cancer and Blood Disorders: The Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation (HOT) Healthy Living Initiative

Background: Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-Transplantation (HOT) encompasses a wide array of serious medical conditions. Chemotherapy may dramatically change one's sense of well-being and alter family interactions that previously supported balanced meals and physical exercise. Some sickle cell patients have reduced exercise tolerance and eating habits that cannot sustain their increased resting energy expenditures. Hemophiliacs may be less active to avoid painful bleeding into joints. The HOT Healthy Living Initiative (HOTHLI) seeks to assist children in our care and their families in achieving their goals for health and wellness. Methods: A multi-disciplinary team designs and implements creative projects including in-clinic demonstrations of nutritious food preparation and physical fitness. Bulletin boards provide information on wellness themes. A wellness prescription facilitates dialogue between providers and families during clinic visits. HOTHLI collaborates with health-oriented community-based organizations. HOTHLI has implemented a 4 week nutritional and physical activity pilot intervention project (ReCharge) focused on improving self esteem. Results: Preliminary feedback from families and staff has been extremely positive. 86% of participants responded positively when asked if the in clinic demonstration taught them something new about being healthy. 100% responded that the lesson was fun. We found that 91.7% of parents stated that after participation in the ReCharge pilot program, their child spoke with them about healthy eating and setting physical activity goals. Discussion: HOTHLI is a unique and innovative program that focuses specifically on the overall health and wellness of children with cancers and blood disorders. Successful disease treatment must include ongoing support for long term healthy living.