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PRESENTATION HELPER

If you're going back to school after cancer treatments, you might find it hard to talk to your friends and classmates about it. They probably don't know as much about cancer as you do, and they will most likely want to ask you some questions.

When you're ready, talking to your class about your cancer and treatments can be really helpful. Doing a Crusaders Against Cancer presentation in your classroom will help your classmates understand what you're going through.

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Here, you can read about the Crusaders Against Cancer presentation and think about how to get ready to talk to your class. Even if you're not sure you want to have a presentation, you may still want some tips on how to talk to your classmates. Below are some steps you can follow.

1. Tell your parent or teacher that you want to talk to your class during the Crusaders Against Cancer program. If there isn't a program scheduled, talk to your mom or dad about setting one up. Your parent can visit Materials to learn more about how to do this.
   
   
2. Next, you will want to learn about cancer. You probably know a lot already! But, explaining cancer to other people can be hard. Remember, your classmates won't know as much about cancer as you do. Visit What is Childhood Cancer? and Going Back to School for some good ideas.
   

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3. Talk to a friend or parent about what you want to tell your classmates. You may want to talk about:
   
   
   • What it's like to have cancer and how you feel about having cancer;
     
   • What it's like in the hospital and what your treatments are like; and
     
   • What the other kids in your class can do to help you.
     
     
   If you are going to talk to your classmates during the Crusaders Against Cancer presentation, you may want to write down some notes to help you remember what you want to say. Practicing with people you know can help make it easier to talk to your classmates about cancer.
   
   
   

   Ask a friend or parent to help you get ready to talk to your classmates. They can help you practice your answers to questions that your classmates might ask.

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   Below are some questions your classmates might ask you. Under each question is a sample answer. You can use this list to practice:
   

   Q: Why have you been gone?
   A: I have cancer, and I have been away getting treatments to make me better.
   
   Q: What is cancer?
   A: Cancer is an illness that affects different parts of the body. Cancer is rare, and most kids who have cancer get better with treatments.
   
   Q: Can I catch cancer from you?
   A: No. You can't catch cancer from someone who has it, like a cold or the flu.
   

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   Q: Where is your hair?
   A: My cancer treatments made my hair fall out. But, it will grow back as soon as I stop my treatments.
   
   Q: How did you get cancer?
   A: Doctors don't know how kids get cancer, but they are working hard to find the answers.
   
   Q: Why can't you play outside at recess or after school?
   A: I can still play, but I get tired easily when I play hard. My cancer treatments make me tired. My body needs a lot of energy to fight cancer.

For more questions and answers, you can visit Kids' FAQs. You can also find helpful information at Going Back to School.

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