Educational offer
For teachers, educators and parents
Leona Koninckx - Secretary, SuperNils
In my professional life, I have sometimes been confronted with loss and grief within a family. As Nils's mother, I know better than anyone what it does to a parent when their child has cancer. But how do you react? How do you act appropriately? What do you say to other people? How do you comfort children? ... These are all questions that go through your mind and to which you don't immediately know the answer. With this educational page, our organisation aims to support people who are confronted with cancer or loss. I am convinced that the information will be very useful!
Facing cancer, loss or grief is never fun! As a parent, educator or teacher, you often find yourself at a loss. You haven't thought about this beforehand. After all, you always hope it won't happen to you. But still... suddenly it's there...
And then there is this educational page by non-profit organisation SuperNils. It provides useful tips, links to other informative websites, gives titles of interesting books and magazines and offers activities you can do at home or in the classroom. Vzw SuperNils hopes to give you a mass of information, with which you can get started almost ready-to-use (of course, you will have to adapt some things to your own situation). This page will be constantly updated to include the latest information. We were able to realise this thanks to the cooperation of several organisations, companies, hospital schools, universities, etc.
Look at the page carefully and extract what seems interesting or useful to you. Good luck with it!
PLEASE NOTE: Vzw SuperNils is no owner of the contents. These remain linked to the authors, each of which is listed with the lessons, documentation, ...
By Care4AYA were requested by the AYAs new booklets published specifically for AYAs who are terminally ill. The booklets are entitled ‘When healing is no longer possible’ and are intended to support the AYAs themselves, their parents and their siblings. They cover a range of important topics, such as ‘coping with a terminal illness’ and ‘how to prepare for the final stage’. The Belgian Cancer Foundation makes these booklets available to oncology professionals in hospitals and palliative care networks.
New AYA products
“When healing is no longer possible”
Foundation Against Cancer and Care4AYA
This book pack is given to children with cancer at the UZ Leuven, among other places, to support teachers. They can use it to explain cancer and its treatments.
Interesting book package
UZ Leuven
A letter to the Tear Fairy can sometimes work wonders! Has something happened that makes you sad? Let the pain out in the form of magic drops, just like Snuiter did. Have your child make a drawing or write a note about what is making them so sad and send it to: “Tranenfee – Leen Van De Velde – Blijdschapsstraat 6, 1070 Anderlecht”. Be sure to include your address so that the fairy can send you a comforting reply!
Magic Drops is published by Nathalie Slosse and R. Del Moral (ISBN: 9789059328761).
Magic drops
Nathalie Slosse and R. Del Moral
Snout loves Big Tree a lot. When the doctor discovers woodworms under the bark of Big Tree, his world is completely turned upside down... A story by Nathalie Slosse, but also lots of ideas for dealing with children's emotions in a creative way. There are also Snout dolls to use during activities. The materials could be obtained by parents free of charge through their child's oncologist. Be sure to ask, as the materials are great to use!
Big tree is sick
Nathalie Slosse
We are pleased to provide a book list compiled by Lost & Co vzw for the loss studies programme for nursery and primary education. Click on the image of the book on the right.
The fold-out booklet “Afscheid van Grote Boom” (Farewell to Big Tree) is the long-awaited sequel to the book “Grote boom is ziek” (Big Tree is Sick). The Belgian Cancer Foundation ensures that this fold-out booklet can be offered free of charge (children and their parents can request it through their oncologist, psychologist or nurse. They can then order it free of charge from the Belgian Cancer Foundation).
Any child who is about to lose a loved one to cancer can receive one. The fold-out booklet can be personalised and helps children to talk about their grief, both at home and at school. It also provides real support in difficult times. The Belgian Cancer Foundation does this in collaboration with Talismanneke vzw, founded by Natalie Slosse, author of both booklets.
Farewell to large tree
Nathalie Slosse
Foundation Against Cancer
Talismanneke non-profit organisation
A beautiful booklet with illustrations by Sue Downing that can help adults explain multiple myeloma to children. The booklet was published and funded by Amgen (Europe) GmbH in 2019. It was designed in collaboration with patient organisations, healthcare professionals, patients with the disease and their families.
Applications can be made through CMP Vlaanderen vzw, patient organisation.
Alex and the bravest grandfather in the world
Amgen (Europe)
CMP Vlaanderen vzw
Sue Downing
The booklet "The loving manager. Parents of a young person with cancer tell their story." This brochure can be obtained free of charge from one of the regional coordinators of Foundation Against Cancer. Send an email via:
Brussels and Flemish Brabant: brussel@stichtingtegenkanker.be
Limburg: limburg@stichtingtegenkanker.be
Antwerp: antwerpen@stichtingtegenkanker.be
East Flanders: oostvlaanderen@stichtingtegenkanker.be
West Flanders: westvlaanderen@stichtingtegenkanker.be
The loving manager
Foundation Against Cancer
This interesting list of books for AYAs with cancer was provided to us by AZ Klina in Brasschaat. These books can be found in the hospital's library/media library. However, you will also find these interesting books in other hospitals. Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse about them.
If they are not available, they can always be ordered from bookstores.
Interesting book list for AYAs with cancer
AZ Klina Brasschaat
This series of books is very useful for teachers who want to explain cancer and its treatments to children in the classroom. The package is distributed to schools by UZ Leuven, among others. Be sure to ask for it.
You can also find the books easily via the internet. Just google it and you're done!
Click on the image on the right and discover the series.
Interesting book package for teachers
Available at UZ Leuven
A guide for young people in dealing with their illness.
This guide will help you cope with a long-term illness that has become part of your life. You can use this guide when the illness is new to you, but also if you were diagnosed some time ago.
You have made a brave decision by picking up this guide.
My illness and I …
Sanofi – Coping brochure – adolescents
Do you enjoy walking in the sun? Then be sure to follow these three tips from the Belgian Cancer Foundation:
Block out as much sun as possible
Wearing clothes to protect yourself
Apply a good amount of sunscreen
Protect yourself from the sun's rays!
A campaign by Stichting tegen Kanker 2023 (Foundation Against Cancer 2023), which SuperNils naturally supports!
Beautiful brochure of the UZ Leuven, which provides tips and tricks for teachers who are confronted with cancer in the classroom. What should you do, what steps should you take, how should you communicate and with whom, etc.
The information is certainly also useful for children who are being treated at another hospital. Only the contact details need to be changed.
Please also enquire whether there is a hospital school affiliated with the hospital and contact them to make clear arrangements.
You can download the brochure here.
A child with cancer in your class …
Leuven University Hospital
Brochure from Fight Against Cancer. Every day, about 193 Belgians are told they have cancer. This therefore means that in every class there is at least one child who experiences the disease up close. Either they are a patient themselves, or mum or dad is ill, or one of the grandparents, or brother or sister, ...
How do you deal with this as a teacher? How do you respond to children's questions and emotions? How do you translate the theme into interesting and achievable learning material that fits within the attainment targets or development goals?
KOTK's free educational packages, “De pet op tegen Kanker” (Fighting Cancer), can assist you with this! There are packages for the second and third years of nursery school and the first, second and third grades of primary education.
Hats off to cancer
Stand up to Cancer
Informative website about children with cancer and the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and cancer. Click here and immerse yourself in the interesting information.
Belgian Society of Paediatric Haematology Oncology
The BSPHO brings together Belgian centres recognised in paediatric haematology and oncology and their professionals to improve treatment and patient care by sharing expertise and knowledge.
BEDNET … the solution for pupils with long-term illnesses!
Click here to visit the website of this wonderful organisation.
Be sure to also take a look at our podcast page. There is an episode around Bednet, with Kathy Lindekens, who can provide even more info.
Bednet is a free form of online distance learning for children and young people who are unable to attend school for long periods or on a regular basis due to physical or psychological problems. Thanks to Bednet, they can continue to follow lessons from home or hospital and keep in touch with their classmates. To be eligible for Bednet, the child must have a medical certificate and be at least 5 years old. Bednet is available in nursery, primary and secondary schools, both in mainstream and special education. You can combine Bednet with TOAH, hospital school, School & Sickness, etc.
Bednet asbl
Free form of online distance learning
Kathy Lindekens
CancerSpoken is a website that offers help to children one of whose parents has cancer. But the site also provides a source of information for parents, friends, relatives, teachers and carers, and this for different ages ! You will find information, supporting videos, book lists, possible (teaching) activities, colouring pictures, etc.
Cancer ghosts
Foundation for grief in your mind
On the Ketnet website, you will find rock-solid programmes that portray the fight against cancer. Besides the life stories of some young people, there is also a focus on the scientific background of the disease (what is cancer, what does it do to you, can you cure cancer, etc.).
Ketnet stands up to cancer
Ketnet – VRT
You'll find a lot more useful information on this site.
Ketnet for parents
Ketnet – VRT
Telling your children that you have cancer is never easy. While bringing this message to the children, it is okay to be sad and it is okay to cry, but try not to panic.
That way, despite the bad news, you can still offer your children a sense of security. If you are afraid you will be upset, make sure someone is with you: your partner, a family member, a friend or a girlfriend.
You have cancer...
Stand up to Cancer
As a father or mother, what if you are told you have cancer? How do you tell the children? How do you deal with their emotions? Where do you find help and support? ...
Communicating about cancer
Stand up to Cancer
Inspiration …
Here you will find books, podcasts, blogs and social media channels recommended to us by viewers, readers and listeners. Kom op tegen Kanker does not vouch for the scientific accuracy of the content or advice.
All about cancer
Stand up to Cancer
Care4AYA vzw focuses on adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 16 to 35 with cancer and their loved ones (AYA supporters). Cancer disrupts the life of the AYA, but it also changes the lives of their partners, young children, parents, siblings, friends, etc. On our website, AYAs, their supporters and their carers can find specific information on a range of topics that are important in medical and psychosocial care.
From research, Care4AYA (AYA = Adolescents and Young Adults) developed some tools especially for adolescents (+12), their parents, teachers and caregivers. Ask for this box at the treatment team or send a message (info@care4aya.be) to receive one free of charge. Also click here for the Care4AYA website.
Care 4 AYA
improving care and support for young adults with cancer.
Youth website of the Princess Máxima Centre. Here you will find honest information and good advice so you can better understand what is going on with you and what is going to happen. So besides all the practical and medical things, you will also find more about feelings you may have or how to tell at school and to your friends.
Princess Maxima Centre
Paediatric oncology
Foundation Against Cancer is committed to protecting children and adults from the sun's harmful UV rays. Better prevention than cure! The Foundation Against Cancer therefore makes various materials available to schools for FREE to participate in this prevention.
Click here and discover the range of materials on offer.
Solar-smart schools
Foundation Against Cancer
Stem cell donation can save lives. Talk about it with young people in class. We reach out to you here for some materials and teaching packages (primary and secondary education!)
Stem cell donation
Matchis.co.uk
Before you can decide to become a donor, you first need to know what stem cell donation entails. We have all kinds of information resources available for this purpose, including for schools.
Welcome to the website of “Doodgewoon”. Discover the educational package we use to help young children (preschoolers) deal with death, regardless of whether they have experienced loss.
An initiative of “Lucas for Life vzw”
Working group: Veerle Bolle, Inne Colson, Robyn De Haes, Vicky Desmet, Leen Martens and Ilke Vanaenrode.
Read and approved by the resonance group, with Manu Keirse, Lies Scaut, Sylvie De Mey, Britt Van Looken, and Geertrui Smedts.
An exercise on the website of the non-profit organisation SuperNils, for fifth-year pupils.
Provided by teacher Vicky Vermeiren from De Beren Municipal Primary School in Berendrecht.
Assignments on reading comprehension, questions about the Immuno-T video, organisations committed to fighting cancer, charity campaigns and a creative finale.
You can download the package here.
Exercise non-profit organisation SuperNils
Vicky Vermeiren – Berenschool Berendrecht
A project by three students from Ghent University College, early childhood education programme. A wonderful and useful website! A board game developed for children who are unable to attend school due to long-term illness.
Are you looking for a tool to further support the chronically ill child in your class? Is the absent child losing and missing contact with the class? Are you unsure how to work on the goals? Do you need more information to deal with this situation? Then you've come to the right place!
The investigative octopus
Ghent University College – Early Childhood Education programme
You cannot take away sadness and fear of death, but you can learn to deal with it, talk about it and even add a smile to your tears. And that is exactly what we do with The Butterfly and the Turtle. In this audio story, a young butterfly, whose life is naturally short, meets an old, wise turtle. Together they discover how everyone – young and old – sometimes needs a shell in life, but can also grow wings. The story is a subtle tool for adults who want to talk to children about existential themes.
With the support of Kom op tegen Kanker (Fight Against Cancer).
The butterfly and the tortoise
A heartwarming audio story by Paul Wauters in which an old, wise turtle (Jan Decleir) meets a young butterfly (Evelien Bosmans) whose life is naturally short. Together they discover how everyone – young and old – sometimes needs a shell in life, but can also grow wings.
MegaMona dreams of becoming a superhero, just like her father MegaPa. Then she can help him defeat Slechtor, the villain who threatens the city with his Gruesome Giga Laser. But one day, MegaPa has to go to hospital. MegaMona doesn't understand. Is her daddy ill? And why? Will he get better? Are they on their own, or are there other heroes who can help them?
‘Strong together with MegaMona’ is a 24-minute audio story featuring the voices of Warre Borgmans, Lena Leue, Koen De Bouw, David Dermez, Ann Van den Broeck and Jeroen Van Dyck.
Strong together with Mega Mona
In collaboration with Het Geluidshuis, Kom op tegen Kanker developed ‘Samen sterk met MegaMona’ (Strong Together with MegaMona), an interactive story that addresses the theme of cancer in a playful way. Listen to it together with your child and start the conversation. ‘Samen Sterk met MegaMona’ is also a fun and moving story about heroes big and small, even if you are not directly affected by cancer. Ideal for a quiet moment at home or in the car.
Stand up to Cancer
A cartoon explaining very comprehensively what cancer does in your body and the ways people try to attack and cure the disease. The clip is also useful for explaining to children. It has even been found suitable for children as young as 4 years old. Professor Dr Tessa Kerre was a driving force behind the creation of this film. Click on the print and watch the story of T cells. Pressing the arrows on your computer will take you further in the storyline.
Motion Comic Immuno-T
Professor Dr Tessa Kerre – Ghent University Hospital