Impact

This program provides young cancer patients with an opportunity for social and sensory interaction with therapeutic animals in the hospital setting. Pet Therapy made possible by Sarah’s Fund contributes to helping reduce stress, to healing and to improve the quality of life of the young cancer patients on Sarah’s Floor.

These specially-trained, therapeutic Dr. Clowns bring smiles and joy to young cancer patients on Sarah’s Floor. Specifically, Dr. Fifi and Dr. Pédalo help to relieve the stress of hospitalization by transporting the patient into a world of imagination and therapeutic play.

Sarah’s Fund offers music therapists who use elements of music such as rhythm, melody and harmony to promote, maintain and restore physical, emotional and spiritual health. On Sarah’s Floor, the hematology-oncology in-patient unit, this music healthcare environment helps the patients’ healing process.

This program was created to aid the families who are in need of financial assistance due to the stresses that a child’s illness can place on a family. Sarah’s Fund provides the families with essential needs such as meal tickets, parking passes, transportation for medical needs, gift certificates, surprise gifts, special gatherings and end-of-treatment celebrations, and accommodations for families living in regions outside Quebec. This humanitarian initiative allows families to focus on the care, well-being and treatments of their child.

Sarah’s Fund allows families to benefit from free access to the Hospital’s Premium Plus package. This package offers unlimited access to the internet, movies, radio/music and Wi-Fi hotspots, and allows families and visitors in the room to use their tablets or phones without exhausting their data plans. Whether staying in touch with family, friends and colleagues, watching a movie or listening to music, this is an essential part of the home away from home experience, made possible by donors like you.

Specifically for hematology-oncology patients on Sarah’s Floor, your funding provides a myriad of fun activities that go a long way to providing distraction, comfort, and happiness to the children on the Floor-and their families. These include:

• Arts and crafts
• Medical play equipment
• Toys
• Bravery Hearts beads
• Playroom programs
• Electronics and gaming
• Birthday gifts
• Special events
• Holidays on the Floor
• Parent coffee hour
• Cooking program
• Other ad hoc programming

Sarah’s Comfort Kit started with a deep desire to help children battling cancer and other life-threatening condition to have something to smile about. Something that will help make their stay a little more comfortable. Something that might give them a little hope to get through another day of treatments. We aim to bring a little sunshine to their cloudy days.

Every newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patient on Sarah’s Floor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital receives a Sarah’s Comfort Kit. We are thankful to Jellifish Kids and The Bell Fund for their generosity and for graciously supporting this Sarah’s Fund initiative.

Sarah’s Comfort Kit contains:

• Rollie bag
• Lunch bag
• Laundry bag
• Super soft robe
• Soft cozy blanket donated by The Bell Fund

H.O.P.E. (Hematology-Oncology Psychotherapy and Education) is a progressive program launched in 2023 that addresses the psychological needs of the parents ofour pediatric hematology-oncology patients and their families.

Pavillon Kat Demes is a new facility that will house parents of sick children facing long stays at The Montreal Children’s Hospital. Pavillon Kat Demes will offer all of the comforts of home, just steps away from the Glen site, at no additional cost. Crucially, it will enable parents to rest and stay close to their sick child. This is a dream that is about to come true—and Sarah’s Fund is proud to sponsor this important initiative.