Jean Schoen, Award winning children's author, Educational speaker, Cancer patient advocate, Founder/President of nonprofit corporation
How do you explain cancer to a child? These three books were inspired by my own struggle to explain cancer to my children when my husband was diagnosed. The books are designed to help one succeed in talking and explaining cancer to a child in a way that they will understand without frightening them.
Jean Schoen was impacted by cancer after her husband was diagnosed. Her experience taught her many things and made her realize that hands-on support for cancer patients was missing in her community. She created the nonprofit corporation, Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio, Inc., to help others who are impacted by cancer. The three children’s books that she wrote were inspired by the experience with her own children. She struggled in her attempt to protect them and alleviate their fear. These books are designed to help others succeed in talking and explaining cancer to a child in a way that they will understand without frightening them. They are tools that can be utilized not only to begin the conversation but to help encourage sharing between the child and the adult. Studies show that children are much more resilient if they better understand a situation and are able to seek support from family and friends. The books encompass three different reading levels: Beginning Reader, Young Reader and Young Adult Reader.
Awards:
Someone I Know Has Cancer (Beginning Readers): Honorable Mention, Special Needs/Disability Awareness, 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Award
Do You Know Someone Who Has Cancer? (Young Readers): Honorable Mention, Educational/Instructional, 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Award
When Someone You Know Has Cancer (Young Adult Readers): Honorable Mention, Charity/Making a Difference, 2021 Purple Dragonfly Book Award
Speaking Engagements and School Presentations:
In addition to writing the three children's books, Jean created the CARE (Cancer Awareness Resiliency Education) Program that she takes to schools to educate children who are affected by cancer. Her program encompasses what cancer is, how it is treated, side effects and what a child can do to help someone in their life with cancer. She enjoys traveling to schools, hospitals, literary groups, bookstores and libraries to talk about her books. They are also in high demand among cancer centers, pediatric oncology departments, medical schools and medical libraries.
Jean is the Founder/President of Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio, Inc. whose mission is to provide the full complement of support so that no one goes through cancer alone. Her pediatric program—Kids Konnection—is the first and foremost program of its kind to provide services to children with cancer. Her books are sold both nationally and internationally. Her extensive background in oncology advocacy, care coordination and programming has provided her with worldwide recognition.
Presentation Audience:
Preschool
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Middle School
High School
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