Hassenfeld’s Reaching Out to Kids Program provides cancer and hematology patients an opportunity to pair up with medical students who serve as therapeutic companions, friendly adults who offer emotional support at a time when children and teens need them most.

The students and their ROK buddies meet once a week to spend time together over leisure or enrichment activities. Some ROK buddies go bowling, play basketball, or window-shop. Others do arts and crafts projects, play games, or watch movies. Sometimes the adult may give their buddy a hand with homework. If a child is in the hospital or isn’t feeling well, the adult and child may read a book, play video games, or just sit and talk.

Most importantly, the adult ROK volunteer is an unwavering friend through good times and not-as-good times. While some of the medical student volunteers may have medical knowledge, they do not participate in any medical decisions or give any medical advice regarding their ROK buddy.