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The Mission of the Nevada Childhood Cancer
Foundation is to work side by side with the medical community to
provide social, emotional, educational, and psychological support
services and programs to families of ALL children diagnosed with a
life threatening or critical illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS,
sickle cell, hemophilia, renal disorders and other immunologic
diseases.
Camp Cartwheel – This summer camp has
become one of the largest camps in the western United States and
offers five days of outdoor activities at no cost to children with
life threatening and critical illnesses and their siblings. Each
summer, Camp Cartwheel welcomes 130 children and 200 volunteers
for 4 days and nights of swimming, scuba diving, canoeing, arts
& crafts, karate, rock wall climbing and more.
In-Patient Classroom - NCCF created the
Education Services Program including a classroom in the hospital -
the first in the state of Nevada. By providing a classroom
accessible to critically ill children who are in-patient at
Sunrise Children's hospital that critically ill children are able
to continue and exceed in their education during their battle to
survive and overcome illness. NCCF has provided a full time
teacher and daily classroom education and bedside teaching at
Sunrise Children’s Hospital.
Kids on The Block –Volunteers master
large puppets that befriend children at hospitals and join them on
their first day of school to ensure that both classmates and
teachers are educated regarding the disease and the challenges
that ill children must suffer and conquer.
Flashes of Hope – NCCF is home to the
Nevada Chapter of Flashes of Hope, dedicated to creating uplifting
portraits of children fighting cancer and other life threatening
illnesses. For families of terminally ill children, it’s
especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the
beauty, grace and dignity of their child. Professional make up
artists, wardrobe specialists, and photographers photograph
critically ill children during their hospital stay. These photos
chronicle the child’s experience with a beautifully framed photo
presented to the family along with the negatives for reproduction.
Back to School In Style – This program
helps our kids integrate back to school after missing a minimum of
30 days or more of school due to illness. School supplies,
shopping for new clothes, a visit to a salon and a special lunch
highlights the first day back to school.
Champions Run for Life – This annual
event gives the community, friends and family the opportunity to
individually honor and recognize courageous children who fight for
their lives. This community run welcomes over 1,200 participants
and gives critically ill children an opportunity to run a lap of
victory against the disease they fight or have overcome.
S.A.M. Program - Stories About Me allows
children and their family members to create a hard back book
including personal photos, drawings, and a story of their favorite
things and times. These become wonderful and memorable keepsakes
for many families.
Psychological Testing - Free psychological
testing is done twice per month at NCCF at no charge to clients.
This testing is offered to measure the extent of lasting effects
from treatment on learning abilities. Secondary effects from a
disease can often affect a child's education and the ability to
retain information. This testing is provided to ensure that ill
children are given the accommodations and assistance needed to
continue their education and be successful.
Bravery Heart Profiles of Courage Beads
– This program allows each child with cancer or other life
threatening illnesses to collect a different bead for each
procedure they endure.
Project A.R.K. (Aids and Resources for Kids)
- This division of the foundation houses our Aids and Resources
for Kids, as well as the services designed to support the
families. A.R.K. also represents the Foundation’s logo, the Ark
of Hope.
School Re-entry Program – A social
worker and counselor work in conjunction with the nursing staff of
pediatric care centers to facilitate and advocate for
accommodations enabling students to participate in the formalized
educational process based on their ability.
Counseling – The foundation’s
pediatric psychologist provides free counseling to children
affected with critical illnesses, in addition to offering
counseling to siblings and other family members.
Annual Bone Marrow Drive – NCCF
coordinates and facilitates an annual bone marrow drive at various
local locations. All donations are registered with the Nation Bone
Marrow Foundations to save the lives of children all over the
world and has done so in Las Vegas.
Emergency Prescription: Caring for Kids
– Funding for prescribed medication that is not affordable and
not covered by insurance.
New Diagnosis “Care Kits” – This
well organized binder allows any family member to quickly
reference doctors, treatments, current medications, insurance
paperwork, and hospital and clinic appointments.
Home Remedies – Many of our families are
in need of food and added assistance during the time that their
child is in treatment. This program provides prepared food for
families and in-home assistance to catch up on household needs.
Teen Council – Composed of high school
students impacted by cancer. Their mission is to participate in
community service projects, fundraising special events, peer
education, and problem solving gaps where services are lacking for
chronically ill children.
Parent Advisory Board – Facilitated by
licensed counselor, this board consists of parents of children
diagnosed with a chronic illness. This board was established to
provide insight into the children and family’s needs and to
provide informal advice and support to newly diagnosed children
and families.
Sibling Support Group & Workshop –
We providing sibling support workshops that help them feel
important, creative, and teach expression in a positive manner.
Each group consists of discussions and activities overseen by our
social worker and patient service provider.
Family Visits – NCCF support staff
regularly visits families at clinics and hospitals to meet and
comfort families.
On-line Support Group – One topic
related to living with a childhood chronic illness is posted each
month for discussion and is supported by an NCCF counselor.
Participants log onto the NCCF website for directions on how to
access the monthly online discussion topic.
ARK Newsletter – A quarterly newsletter
outlining medical updates, upcoming events and activities, new
programs and a child of courage profile.
Pizza Days – Each month, the Foundation
provides pizza for everyone in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
units at area hospitals for patients, families and staff.
Craft Days – NCCF is committed to
providing a positive and fun time for our children . Doctor visits
are made fun when the staff, board members and volunteers provide
positive and fun activities for the children.
Snack Attack & Toy Chest - The
foundation funds and continually accepts healthy snack and toy
donations and then provides these to the two pediatric cancer care
facilities for patients and parents who spend many hours receiving
treatments.
Spinoza Bear – This cuddly talking bear
is given to children to provide therapeutic and educational
benefits for children coping with serious illness and
disabilities.
Songs of Love – Working through and in
conjunction with the “Songs of Love” Foundation, they create
an original and personalized song for each child and record it on
a CD.
Professional Education – In the field of
chronic or critical care, the research and development of new
techniques in the treatment and care of patients is ever changing.
NCCF offers workshops and in-service seminars as an informational
source for nurses and other health care professionals. These
seminars provide necessary Continuing Education Units.
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