The Marjorie E. Korff PACT Program offers guidance to parents with cancer receiving treatment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center who are concerned about the impact their cancer diagnosis and treatment may have on their children.
We work together with parents, drawing on our combined knowledge and experience to develop a plan for parents to support children's continued healthy development.
We help parents feel better prepared to talk with children, help them cope, and recognize signs that more help is needed.
If you are hospitalized at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a PACT clinician can see you in your hospital room. If you are an outpatient, we will try to schedule appointments on days you are already coming into the hospital for medical care. This includes the option of consultations in the chemotherapy infusion units during treatment.
The PACT Program serves parents receiving care at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and their family members. You are encouraged to contact us if you are the parent in treatment, or would like to involve another family member such as a spouse, partner, grandparent, or sibling involved in caring for your child. You do not need to have insurance or request authorization from your insurance company before your appointment, because this service is provided to you at no charge.
A brief video about our clinical team and services.
If possible, PACT clinicians try to schedule one meeting for parents treated at other Partners-affiliated hospitals in Massachusetts, but due to the limitations of our clinical time, our team cannot provide ongoing meetings.
We wish that every cancer center had a program like the Marjorie E. Korff PACT Program. Even without such a program, it is likely that there are clinicians in your area who may be able to help. Ask about the social service supports in your community and at your treatment center. You may find the "For Parents" section of our website helpful, as well as our book Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent Is Sick.