Emanuel Cancer Center’s Monkey Business Goes Virtual

Turlock, Calif. – Cancer can be scary, especially for children. Emanuel Cancer Center is here to provide emotional support and a safe place for children with a loved one diagnosed with cancer.

Emanuel Cancer Center offers Monkey Business for children and teens, ages 5-17. Through meaningful and therapeutic activities, expressive art, games and stories, Monkey Business provides support and coping skills for children and their families.

“We have the goal of helping kids understand cancer and try to process their feelings. We provide coping skills to help ease their feelings of anger, sadness and fear,” said Sara Briggs, Monkey Business Coordinator. “Watching children get to know others who are going through the same experience as they are, is priceless.”

Monkey Business – led by trained volunteers and staff – is free and open to any child in the community, regardless of where the patient received treatment. Due to COVID-19, groups are now being held virtually.

“Even though we can’t meet in person, we are still here for those impacted by cancer,” Briggs said. “We want our community to know there are resources available to them, even during a pandemic.”

Monkey Business Dates for Kids (3-4 p.m.):
October 15, 29
November 12, 26
December 10

Monkey Business Dates for Adults (3-4:30 p.m.):
October 22
November 5, 19
December 3

For more information or to register, please call (209) 664-5044. Pre-registration is required.