Providence Alaska’s Children’s Hospital annually serves over 900 children facing traumatic circumstances, often requiring extended stays far from home. These children, hailing from diverse backgrounds across Alaska and local communities, endure prolonged hospitalization without the comforting presence of family members due to financial constraints, including expenses for lodging and meals, particularly if siblings are involved. Consequently, these young patients rely heavily on the compassionate care provided by the child life team, a dedicated group of individuals tasked with supporting them through this emotional time.
In the upcoming month of May, we are joining forces with Slumberkins, a children’s emotional wellness company, to address this pressing issue, aiming to make a tangible difference in the lives of these 900 children. Our collaborative efforts have the potential to significantly impact their emotional well-being during what may be the most distressing period they have ever faced. Founded by a family therapist and special education teacher, Slumberkins was created to bring early emotional learning tools into all the places where children learn, empowering them to be caring, confident, and resilient. https://slumberkins.com/
The urgent need for assistance is particularly evident in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Providence Children’s Hospital. The hospital’s child life team has reached out for support in maintaining their emotional support friend program, which extends beyond the NICU and PICU to encompass the Pediatric Cancer Center and children recovering from traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, they have lost their previous donor, leaving many children facing weeks of hospitalization without the comforting presence of an emotional support companion.
As a child, I spent a great deal of time at Shriners Children’s Hospital. Over 30 years later I remember those days more than most as an adult. We have an opportunity here to change their experience and give them a snuggly new friend as well as a book that they can hold and love in a time of need. The only thing that leaves a bigger impact than childhood trauma is being the parent of the child. In those moments we have an opportunity to make a difference. To see your child smile and hold a new friend in their time of need as a parent myself I can say that it would forever be etched in my mind.
Please join us in supporting these brave little faces. Visit any Kendall Auto Alaska dealership for more information.
