Q1) From your perspective what has been the impact of The Nicholas Colby Fund® events/experiences on patients and their families?
A1) 10/09 We have seen patients and families united by joy when able to attend events planned and supported by The Nicholas Colby Fund. There was a family whose daughter was in treatment for her cancer and she loved, loved, loved the Disney Princesses. The Nicholas Colby Fund arranged for her entire family to attend the Disney ice show- everything was planned around that day - Dad took time off from work, her sister and brother had time off from school and the hospital arranged a pass for the patient to attend. Unfortunately at the last minute she spiked a fever and could not attend - you would think everyone would have been so disappointed but this little 4 year old hero, although very sad, was happy her sister and brother could go and loved the Princess T-shirt they brought back to her. The Nicholas Colby Fund made all this happiness possible for her family and then the best of all, the next year; they didn't forget and made certain this little girl made it to the Disney Princesses on Ice. Knowing this family had such loving support to provide such special experiences for her and her family is just one example of all the great experiences The Nicholas Colby Fund offers to so very many children and their families.
Rebecca Rice, Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital Oakland
Q2) Why have you been compelled to partner/collaborate with The Nicholas Colby Fund®?
A2) 10/09 Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland is so pleased to work with The Nicholas Colby Fund because the needs of children are at the center of your focus. As well, your mission to serve and your dedication to children matches our goals perfectly.
Rebecca Rice, Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 I like the fact that the Nicholas Colby Foundation is able to provide our patients and families with an activity that can take their minds off the "cancer" and let the kids be kids, have fun and not have to think about their cancer. I believe it is also nice for the parents to attend these events in order to feel some "normalcy" in their lives. Away from the hospital setting, chemo, vomiting, fever, pokes, nurses, doctors, uncomfortable beds by the window. Both the tickets to events and the backpacks have been great opportunities to bring cheer in our patients' lives.
Tracy Jones, MSW, Oncology Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 I respect your mission and know the Gilbert family well; I think their positive and loving approach is infectious and wonderful.
Kim Sinclair, Nurse Manager – Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital Oakland
Q3) From your perspective how has The Nicholas Colby Fund® helped to uplift the spirit of a child diagnosed with cancer, a degenerative condition, or other life threatening illness?
A3) 10/09 As I mentioned, a backpack FULL of fun items has put plenty of smiles on my patient's faces. Some kids are in shock and awe that they backpack is their very own and that they can keep it. Again, for some of my patients, simple things like having a new backpack, a video game or iPOD, and goodies just for them is something they've never had before. These families are coming from situations where they are a living in poverty and have limited opportunities available to them. If they never had cancer, they would more than likely not experience such things as Disney on Ice, basketball clinics, backpacks with iPOD's and PSP's. I've had patients and families thank me for providing them with an opportunity to attend a basketball game, basketball clinic, etc. Some patients have NEVER attended a major sports event in their lives. Some have never seen a live performance either. I like the fact that have an opportunity available to patients that can expand their horizons and see how big the world is. It's not limited to their poverty stricken neighborhood. People DO care. People DO give without asking for something in return. People DO NOT exploit other people at a time of weakness.
Tracy Jones, MSW, Oncology Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 In numerous ways, the Fund has provided food, supplies, and educational/distractional toys for our patients and families to help them cope with long hospitalizations and the difficulties of being away from home/friends. I believe that the opportunities to attend other activities (sports/music/ and theater events) have been memorable to all of our patients and families. Many of our families, regardless of whether their child is ill, have limited resources and the opportunity to attend these kinds of events is terrific..and to attend with others' experiencing similar challenges and fears helps to build community. I believe it has helped to enrich some of their relationships within this community as they have a chance to have some fun together.
Kim Sinclair, Nurse Manager – Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital Oakland
Q4) How does partnering/collaborating with The Nicholas Colby Fund® support your business or personal focus?
A4) 10/09 It supports my personal focus of wanting to provide everyday people with opportunities they would likely not have otherwise. I value the partnership with The Nicholas Colby Foundation and truly appreciate all the tickets and backpacks you've provided to our hospital.
Tracy Jones, MSW, Oncology Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 The Nicholas Colby Fund supports our families which is in line with our mission to provide family centered care.
Kim Sinclair, Nurse Manager – Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital Oakland
Q5) What other favorable impacts/benefits from your perspective has there been via The Nicholas Colby Fund® and their work they call Helping Children Be Children®?
A5) 10/09 The Nicholas Colby Fund reaches out to our children and their families as individuals and in groups - the visits of your musicians brings enjoyment in the moment and appreciation that others care enough to take the time for such visits as the harpists and the harmonica player. The group events provide a time to create very special memories for the entire family - often families are so split apart during a child's treatment and these events emphasize having everyone together. In addition, it has been possible for families and children to meet and talk with others who have had similar experiences.
Rebecca Rice, Child Life Specialist, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 The basketball clinic, the backpacks, tickets to children's events, the harpist…all of these events/activities assist in helping our patients (children) be children. I can't say enough about the backpacks. I've personally seen the backpacks bring families together. A bridge to assist the family and patient in coping with the news of the cancer diagnosis, coping with the long hospitalizations, and introducing new games and activities to patients. For the 5 and under crowd I've seen patients bring their backpacks to clinic and for their impatient admissions. I've even seen children over 5 and teens with their backpacks.
I think this give patients something to have control over in such an uncontrollable situation. None of this kids or parents for that matter ever expected their child to have cancer when they brought them in to the hospital for fevers, tumors and localized pain. Partnering with the Nicholas Colby Foundation has allowed us to bring some joy to the lives of our families at a time when they are completely devastated by the diagnosis and whether or not their child is going to survive.
Tracy Jones, MSW, Oncology Social Worker, Children’s Hospital Oakland
10/09 I find your work inspirational and you show our staff and team an example of strength, love, and grace required by our patients and
families on their journeys. Your team is gifted at communicating what this is and in turn, I think, will help others on their journeys. Thank you for sharing Nicholas and yourselves.
Kim Sinclair, Nurse Manager – Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital Oakland