CURE Parent Advocate

CURE's Parent Advocate:
The Parent Advocate program has been in place for since 1986. Carol Vattimo, CURE's Parent Advocate, is a full-time CURE employee working in the hospital.  As a parent of a long-term survivor, she is uniquely qualified to help parents cope with their child's diagnosis, illness and treatment. Beginning immediately with diagnosis, Carol meets with families to help them understand the many aspects of cancer treatment. She meets with many families of inpatient children daily as well as with outpatients during clinic visits. Carol is one of the few constant presences in their lives while their child is in the hospital or on treatment. Email Carol

Parent Support:
Throughout the year, CURE offers educational programs that address the areas of interest for families who have had a child in treatment for cancer or blood disorders. These programs are typically held in the Mark Dillon Friends and Family Room in CURE's office located t 200 Westfall Road, Rochester NY. Childcare is typically available with an advance reservation. Information about events is posted on CURE's calendar of events, and periodic mailings are sent to families. For more information about a special event or program please contact Linda, CURE’s Director of Programs.

CURE Comfort Kits:
The Parent Advocate provides each new family with a CURE Comfort Bag.  These bags contain the Parent/Child Handbook, a "Comfort Kit" with toiletries for an overnight stay, a blanket, teddy bear and other items to help them and their child through those first difficult hours and days.

Coffee Hour:
Each Thursday at 1:00 pm, CURE hosts a coffee hour in the Kaiser Room located on the 4th floor of Golisano Childrens Hospital. Coffee hour offers families whose children are currently in treatment or recently off treatment an opportunity to meet and share their thoughts and experiences.

Bereavement Support Group:
A support group for parents and family members who have lost a child to cancer is led by a trained social worker as well as parent volunteers, this is a place where parents may talk openly about the loss of their child and receive peer to peer support. All support group meeting times and places will be posted on the CURE's calendar. For more information about the parent support groups please email the CURE's Director of Programs

Julie Roberts Children's Memorial Garden at CURE:
The Julie Roberts Children Memorial Garden was established in 2003 at the CURE offices located at 200 Westfall Road. The site of the annual Remembrance Service held every September, the garden is a memorial to the children who died of cancer or blood-disorders. Engraved bricks line the walkway, with the names of children who are never forgotten.