For patients diagnosed with cancer early in life, Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is the only hospital system in northeast and central Pennsylvania to offer pediatric hematology and oncology services. It is a member of Children’s Oncology Group, which performs national and international trials to develop leading-edge treatments, improve outcomes and minimize side effects with quality survival of childhood cancer care. Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which provides additional expertise in rare and complex diagnoses and treatments, while allowing families to stay close to home when receiving care. The Janet Weis Children’s Hospital team of certified child life specialists help children and families cope with diagnosis and treatment. The child life team uses developmentally appropriate play to help explain conditions such as cancer and its treatments, as well as offering diversions during hospital stays and treatments. With a leading adult cancer program on the same hospital campus, it is one of a small number of health systems offering adult and pediatric cancer care in one location.
