Patients in treatment are annually eligible to receive a substantial gift card to the store of their choosing under the Special Assistance program.
This program has developed throughout the years, and the word "assistance" no longer does it justice. Each child is given more than just assistance; they are awarded the opportunity for choice when they have very little autonomy at this time in their lives and in treatment.
With this annual gift, many more things can seem...possible.
Early on, Friends bought items within a price range for the patient. Our volunteers and staff visited bike shops, electronics stores, toy boutiques, and everything in between to get the kids what they wanted.
The program has evolved to allow the child to choose their gift and shop for themselves, which can serve as a great memory, a rewarding feeling, a small smile, and a way for the patient, who has little choice over their treatment, to feel some autonomy over their lives.
Know a child or family who could benefit from our services? Contact the patient's hospital social worker or care team for a referral to Friends.
