Next steps survivorship program

• Exceptional patient care. Our staff and providers are experts in providing evidence-based, individualized care that is informed by research to survivors and families.
• A team approach. Our multidisciplinary team includes doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, school teachers, physical therapists, dentists, dermatologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists and nutritionists – all working in partnership with you and your primary care doctor.
• Community support. Our program offers a survivorship community navigator, a unique role that helps families access educational, social and health-related resources in their own communities.
• Fertility support. Our fertility navigation team supports patients and families who want to learn more about their fertility risk and fertility preservation options available after treatment is complete.  
• Patient education and advocacy. Survivor empowerment to advocate for future health care needs by providing education; a passport, which is a wallet size summary of care with long-term follow up recommendations; and support to transition into primary care. 
• Research innovation. Enhance and expand research initiatives focused on survivorship locally and while actively working with Children’s Oncology Group and Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium.

Bridge to next steps program is a program that helps patients and families as they transition from active treatment into post-therapy care. 

The end of cancer treatment is an emotional time for patients and families. During the transition period, we help to prepare for your child’s life after cancer treatment, and also reconnect you with your primary care provider to build care and support beyond cancer or BMT treatment.

The program consists of two specialized visits where you will meet with a survivorship provider and a psychologist to provide education, summary of care, and support.

Survivorship care (Next Steps Clinic) is a long-term follow up program that cares for cancer and BMT survivors who:

• Received care at Children’s Wisconsin or elsewhere
• Were diagnosed before age 30, regardless of current age
• Completed treatment a minimum of 2 years ago
• Received a bone marrow transplant more than two years ago

Team members provide specialized care and information needed to monitor and manage possible late effects of treatment. Visits are individualized to each patient, and may include a variety of team members. Care includes:

• Educating survivors about the therapy they received and recommended follow up
• Creating a plan to address possible late effects of treatment
• Giving guidance on healthy lifestyle and good nutrition
• Connecting survivors with community resources
• Referring to other subspecialists when needed
• Working with survivors, their families and their primary care doctor to meet ongoing needs

1. Resources for those transitioning from active treatment to off treatment (Bridge to Next Steps Resources):

Visit One:

• Next Steps Brochure
• Children’s Oncology Group Health Links:
  • Nutrition and Physical Activity (English) (Spanish)
  • School after Treatment (English) (Spanish)
  • Mental Health (English) (Spanish)
  • Finding and Paying for Healthcare (English) (Spanish)
  • Introduction to Long-Term Follow-Up (English) (Spanish)
  • Dental Health (English) (Spanish) (French)
  • COVID-19 Information for Cancer Survivors (English) (Spanish) (French)
  • Reducing Subsequent Cancers (English) (Spanish)
• Camp One Step (virtual options)
• Sunrise Day Camp (virtual options)

Visit Two:

• Next Steps brochure
• Children’s Wisconsin survivorship booklet
• Transition checklist
• Children’s Oncology Group health links
• Camp One Step (virtual options)
• Sunrise Day Camp (virtual options)
• Elephants and Tea

2. Long-term follow-up guidelines for survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers from the Children’s Oncology Group

3. Young adult oncology group
This group meets monthly to support adolescents and young adults, ages 18-39, who are dealing with cancer. The group is open to people who are currently being treated or have been treated in the past, either at Children’s Wisconsin or elsewhere. Past events have included hiking, game nights, attending Brewers and Bucks games, art night and more.

4. Scholarships
There are many scholarships available for cancer survivors. We've put together a list of many of them here.

• Cancer referral form
• Transplant referral form