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 When
a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the day-to-day joys
of childhood take a back seat to the rigors of treatment and hospitalization.
For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been
dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic
and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing
entertainment, education and family activities that help them
cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. We
understand what families go through when a child is sick, and
how important it is to find relief from constant worry and isolation.
Our programs have been proven to distract children from their
pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses,
and connect families with others facing similar challenges so
that no one feels alone. Unlike any other charity, Starlight offers
a comprehensive menu of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings
that enable us to provide ongoing support for children and families
— from diagnosis through the entire course of medical treatment.
Programs include:
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Family activities and outings that give families a chance to have fun together away from the
hospital so they can relax, regroup and return home with a renewed
sense of strength and hope. The events also forge important
connections between families struggling with similar issues
to combat feelings of isolation.
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In-hospital entertainment technology that helps kids fill hours in hospitals or treatment centers
with therapeutic fun; find distraction during long or painful
medical procedures; access Starlight’s online educational programs
and communities; and stay connected with the outside world and
keep up with school work during extended hospitalizations.
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Online communities and interactive websites that help seriously ill teens connect with each other and find
tips and strategies for coping with their medical conditions.
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In-hospital playrooms, kid-friendly treatment rooms and
special events that help ease the loneliness, fear and boredom that accompany
hospital stays.
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Educational programming — delivered via online interactive
games, ezines, webisodes, a comic book and websites — to help
sick children understand common hospital procedures and manage
illnesses and injuries such as cancer, sickle cell, cystic
fibrosis, asthma, Crohn’s and colitis, severe burns and kidney
disease.
Research studies have found that Starlight’s programs help reduce
children’s pain while helping them to better deal with, understand
and manage their illnesses. In addition, Starlight programs help
the child, parents and siblings experience less depression, anxiety,
pain and isolation and bond as a family.
The way we see it, while researchers look for cures and doctors
work to restore a child's health, Starlight works to restore the
entire family's spirits.
We invite you to be a part of the growing Starlight network
of supporters who are making a difference in the lives of children
and families suffering through childhood illness. Click here
to learn how you can get involved.
Starlight joins Imagine Canada Ethical Code Program
Starlight places a high value on our relationship with our donors.
Without your support we would not be able to achieve our mission
to enhance the lives of seriously ill children and their families.
We believe that transparency and accountability are essential
to our success and with this in mind, we have joined Imagine Canada's
Ethical Code Program.
The Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code lays
out a set of standards for charitable organizations to manage
and report their financial affairs responsibility. By adhering
to these standards, we are complying with generally accepted practices
for soliciting and managing donor dollars. This is important because
everyone involved with the Starlight Children's Foundation is
entitled to transparency and the greatest impact possible for
your investment in us.
If you have any questions about our adherence to the Ethical Code,
please feel free to contact Laura Mountjoy. You can also download
the Ethical Code itself by visiting www.imaginecanada.ca.
Statement
of Values, Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policy
The Starlight Children's Foundation is building a better future
by Going Green
The Starlight Children's Foundation is committed to embracing
change and diversity to become a more effective force for a better
future. We believe that everyone has a responsibility to the natural
world. To learn more about the Foundation's Green Initiatives
please click here.
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