Judith Lewy was diagnosed with first stage breast cancer in 2007 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation in early 2008. After her treatment, Lewy noticed that her daughter -- who usually chatted with her about everything -- was not talking about cancer.

Lewy employed a few strategies to help her daughter communicate her feelings. She purchased a few kids' books on the subject and she contacted Gilda's Club, where she learned about a new cancer support group called Kids Support.

The program provides age-appropriate activities and information to help kids between the ages of 4 and 12 who have a family member or friend with the illness.

"This program had impact on my daughter," says Lewy. "She met other kids going through the same thing."

The free program starts Wednesday, April 29, and runs every Wednesday for five weeks. The sessions will take place in the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center at Children's Hospital from 5 to 6:15 p.m.

Esther Grinnell is the program director for Gilda's Club and a Kids Support facilitator.

"We help kids feel more comfortable talking about cancer. We try to clear up any confusion and make sure they don't think they did anything wrong or that it's their fault," says Grinnell.

Kids Support is a curriculum-based program developed by Dr. Anne Speltz, an educator, author and breast cancer survivor. Speltz, who authored the book "The Year My Mother was Bald," uses imaginative activities like poems, stories, cartoon and games to encourage discussion about cancer.

The Kids Support program has two separate age groups and is limited to six kids per group.

"We had very good feedback after the last session," says Grinnell. "One mother told us her 4-year-old used some of the breathing techniques learned in the section on relaxation."

Lewy says that even though she has a good prognosis, her daughter is still affected by the illness and could be for a long time.

"This is something we have to constantly revisit and keep talking about," she says.

Gilda's Club is a non-profit organization that provides free education, emotional support and social activities for people with or affected by cancer. The Gilda's Club clubhouse is located at 4050 N. Oakland Ave.