Cancer Care

Families face unique challenges when a child is diagnosed with cancer or a blood disease. As a caregiver, you may feel overwhelmed with emotions and questions about how to move forward, what to expect from treatment, how to best support your child or their siblings, and how you can get through this difficult time.

The team at Mary Bridge Children’s is here to support you through every aspect of this experience. Families and referring physicians turn to us because we offer:

Leading-edge cancer treatment and research. Mary Bridge Children’s is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group — an international network of more than 200 children’s hospitals and research institutions working together to find the most effective cancer treatments. This means our patients have access to clinical trials and receive care developed by experts at the forefront of pediatric oncology.

Specialized care for noncancerous blood diseases. In addition to cancers, we treat a wide range of pediatric blood diseases. Our hematology experts collaborate with the Washington Center for Bleeding Disorders to offer a clinic for patients with blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, so children can meet with their team of specialists all in the same day.

Comprehensive, personalized support. Our team includes board-certified physicians in a variety of pediatric specialties, from oncology to hematology to surgery and more. In most cases, your child will see the same doctor throughout treatment, which supports positive outcomes and fosters security. In addition to experienced specialists in pediatric cancers and blood diseases, your child’s care team will include dedicated care managers and nurse navigators who can help guide you through the medical process.

Convenient care, close to home. Maintaining day-to-day routines as much as possible during treatment can bring comfort to your child and your family as a whole. Our hospital offers advanced care right in your community, minimizing disruption to your daily life.

A family-centered environment. Families play a significant role in helping children heal and cope with their medical situation, so we welcome parents, siblings and other caregivers at our hospital. In fact, many families form a close bond with our care teams over the course of treatment. At Mary Bridge Children’s, families also have access to support groups, financial assistance and professionals who specialize in helping children cope with treatment. Find out more about how we support children and families.

A hospital that lets kids be kids. Our family-centered philosophy doesn’t just inform the way we provide care — it also informs the design of our facilities. Our hospitals feature child-friendly rooms, play areas and a family resource center, among other amenities. Learn more about how our services and facilities are designed to foster the well-being of children and families.

We serve children on a referral basis. Initial appointments typically last between 60-90 minutes. Please allow additional time for parking and checking in. The following information will help you plan for your visit.

Appointments

During an initial appointment, you will meet with your oncology or hematology provider to talk about your child’s diagnosis (or potential diagnosis), treatment options and any testing that may be needed. Whether at an initial appointment or follow-up appointment, we welcome any questions you or your child have.

Depending on your situation, you may meet with other members of our team during your appointments, such as a nurse practitioner, clinical nutritionist, nurse navigator or case manager. Some children may miss school as they move through treatment. Our team includes a social worker who will coordinate with you and your child’s school to manage absences and explore options to support their academic development.

Blood draws and lab results

In most cases, our phlebotomist will perform a blood draw at the end of your first appointment. Often, blood draws are also necessary at follow-up appointments. Established patients can visit Laboratories Northwest prior to a scheduled appointment with our team, so those lab results are available for your provider to discuss with you.

If you have questions about test results or feel test results are taking longer than they should, please send a message through MyChart or contact our team at 253-403-3481.