» FUNDING PRIORITY
Imaging Expansion
Acquiring an MRI with 3T technology will enhance pediatric
clinicians’ capability to conduct neurological and cardiac scans
with very high resolution images, providing the most clarity and
detail available in diagnostic imaging today.
For more information on how you can partner with McLane
Children’s and help change pediatric cancer care for life, please
contact the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation at 254-724-2768.
Children’s quickly becomes a source
of support for their patients and their
families. “After all, they’re here so
much we form great relationships with
them,” says Charity Driver, RN, a
pediatric nurse. “We help them cope
with everything that’s going on.”
During the months that Armani,
then age 16, came for treatments, she
developed a close relationship with
Ms. Driver. “We have a special bond,”
says Ms. Driver. “She still calls to let
us know how school is going. It’s very
different from working with adults.”
Emotional and psychosocial
support for cancer patients and their
families is essential. “Dr. Kane was
very supportive of Armani and our
whole family,” says Ms. Bradford.
“The team provided lots of care for
her physical and mental well-being.”
Emotional and spiritual
support is key
Providing this support for patients and
their families is essential. The support
from Child Life specialists, social
workers, and chaplains helps children
and families cope with treatment and
its effects on every aspect of their lives.
“The treatment of cancer doesn’t stop
with the medicines and procedures.
At McLane Children’s, we care for
children in a comprehensive way
that addresses their emotional and
psychosocial needs as well,” says Jenny
Damron, BS, CCLS, a Child Life
specialist at McLane Children’s. Child
Life services aren’t reimbursed by
insurance providers, so philanthropy
to support these resources is vital.
Ms. Bradford says the Child
Life program at McLane Children’s
went a long way toward enhancing
her daughter Armani’s experience
at McLane. “They came in with
guests and games all the time,” she
says. “We had visits from puppies,
miniature horses, Miss Baylor, country
music singer and Temple native Eric
Paslay, and the local high school
baseball team.”
An important goal in pediatric
cancer care is to give the child a
sense of normalcy. One of the most
popular Child Life programs is Camp
Dreamcatcher, a week-long summer
camp for patients and their siblings
that is designed to help patients cope
with their diseases and bond with
other children with similar diagnoses
and experiences. Armani Bradford
was not completely mobile when she
arrived for her first day at Camp
Dreamcatcher, but staffers made sure
she could participate. “They were
accommodating in finding activities
that she could enjoy,” Ms. Bradford
says. This camp, which is 100% funded
by philanthropy, was one of the best
experiences Armani had during her
time with Scott & White, says her
mother, underscoring the importance
of programs to help children through
their journey with cancer. n
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