Teddy bears used to empower child cancer patients

Children play doctor with their bears

HOUSTON – Teddy bears are making a big difference in the lives of some small patients, helping them become brave for their visit with the doctor.

On Wednesday, MD Anderson Children's Cancer Center hospital patients wore white coats and played doctor for the day. Their patients were teddy bears.

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The goal was to help kids learn about their own treatments as they guided the bears through some of the same tests they receive.

"The idea is empower them and really give them a sense of control and mastery over their experience at the hospital. So much of what happens to them as a child with cancer is so difficult and hard for them to understand," said Quinn Franklin of MD Anderson Children's Cancer Center.

The teddy bear clinic is provided through the child live program, which serves to help children learn and cope with their treatment and hospital experience.