Thursday, May 20, 2021 @ 6pm via Zoom
We are all ready to move on from isolation--get connected with other parents and cancer support organizations that can help your family through a diagnosis. The first 20 minutes of this event is chock-full of information, resources and ideas that really
work with kids and teens to get them thinking, feeling, and talking. The second 20 minutes will be a facilitated discussion with other parents where you get to learn from the experts--other parents going through a similar experience. The last 20 minutes
will be an opportunity to learn more about the programs offered by Camp Kesem and Gilda's Club Madison, both of which offer free support to your family during a cancer diagnosis.
Event facilitated by Carissa Hodgson, LCSW, OSW-C, Program Manager of Gilda's Club Madison and Camp Kesem Counselors
About Carissa Hodgson:
Carissa Hodgson, LCSW, OSW-C has been a Program Manager at Gilda’s Club Madison (an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community) since 2009. Her work centers around supporting kids and families who are navigating cancer, shaped largely by her father having lung cancer when she was a child and her step-father’s diagnosis of liver cancer when she was a young adult. In her role at Gilda’s Club she is able to work directly with survivors and co-survivors of all ages, as well as develop psychoeducational programs to support the whole family.
Carissa earned her Master of Social Work degree from UW Madison in 2007. She is a Family Therapist and Oncology Social Worker whose work also includes therapy with individuals, groups and families in outpatient, day-treatment, and in-home settings.
Areas of interest and practice are cancer, chronic illness, caregiving, grief and loss, child and adolescent development, family systems, and issues relating to the LGBTQIA+ community. Carissa is also an Associate Lecturer at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, most recently teaching a graduate course on Grief, Death, Loss and Life.
Carissa has been a member of the Association of Oncology Social Work since 2015 and presently sits as co-chair of the Youth, Families and Cancer Special Interest Group.
Zoom access is provided by our Technology Sponsors, the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative and UW Carbone Cancer Center.