Nemours Children’s Health has announced a $1 million, 10-year commitment from the Child Cancer Fund to support oncology Child Life services in Jacksonville. The donation will fully fund a vital role that provides emotional, educational, and therapeutic support for children undergoing cancer treatment for the next decade.
“The Child Cancer Fund’s $1 million commitment to this oncology Child Life specialist position helps ensure that our patients receive care that addresses their whole health — physically, emotionally and developmentally,” said Aaron Carpenter, North Florida President for Nemours Children’s Health. “Partners like the Child Cancer Fund who share our vision are instrumental in our commitment for whole child health.”
The oncology Child Life specialist position at Nemours Children’s is 100% funded by the Child Cancer Fund in memory of Christy Keirnan, who lost her battle in 2005. This is a testament to the organization’s dedication to supporting local patients and their families as they cope with cancer treatment. This 10-year commitment ensures that children at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, will continue to receive the emotional care they need — not just today, but for years to come.
“Our mission has always been to walk alongside families during the most difficult journey of their lives,” said Carla Montgomery, executive director of Child Cancer Fund. “We cannot over-emphasize the positive impact the Child Life specialist has on children during cancer treatment. Preserving this role was the exact reason why Child Cancer Fund was established. We have proudly funded the position since 1994 and are thrilled to guarantee that the next decade of families will know its transformative effect.”
Child Life specialists are clinically trained to help patients and their families cope with stress from illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss, violence and grief. They use therapeutic play, coping and pain-management strategies and techniques like relaxation, deep breathing and guided imagery to distract kids during medical care and treatment.
Oncology Child Life specialists are specially trained to help cancer patients and their families cope with the anxiety and fear of procedures like needle-sticks, IV pulls, chemotherapy transfusions and other pediatric cancer treatments. With the help of oncology Child Life specialists, children are better able to minimize the stress of treatment, explore their feelings about their diagnosis, and process the drastic changes in their lives.
The announcement coincides with the retirement of the current Nemours Children’s oncology Child Life specialist Joli Craver, who has served in the role since its inception.