HOPP is Hematology/Oncology Patients and Parents, an official support group of Children's Hospital that provides support for families of children dealing with cancer. HOPP's focus is on families helping families.

Ray Pais, M.D., pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Children's Hospital, created HOPP in 1991 with the assistance of clinic social worker Regina Johnson and a group of patient families from the Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Clinic.

HOPP's board of directors has more than 20 members, most of whom are parents with children currently in treatment or in remission or who have lost their child to cancer. A group of Children's staff members serve as advisory board members, as well.

Among other HOPP services are Saturday night pizza suppers for hospitalized patients and their families twice a month; gifts for off-therapy parties; snacks in the outpatient clinic; and financial support of a bi-annual, hospital-wide memorial service. These services are made possible through donations and HOPP's major fund-raiser (collecting parking fees from football fans parking on the Children's Hospital campus during UT home football games each fall).

Every child treated in the Hematology/Oncology clinic is automatically a member of HOPP. During the early weeks of diagnosis, families are informed about HOPP through "Reaching Out," HOPP's newsletter, and invitations to HOPP events.