The Sunbeam Program

The Pediatric Neuro Oncology Sunbeam Program provides small, tangible gifts, to enhance the experience of patients undergoing treatment for a CNS tumor diagnosis or experiencing the late effects of treatment. The gift ideas are patient driven, with the aim of boosting their social and/or emotional well being.

Families suffer from financial impacts during a child’s cancer treatment, they may have to pare down to just pay for essentials. To be a part of giving their child something special during the hardest time in their lives, can positively impact the well being of the entire family.

SUNBEAM IDEAS

Examples of Sunbeams are:

• A three month subscription to a children’s science project mail delivery service

• New shoes for the start of school, in the form of a gift card to Target or Dick’s Sporting Goods

• Zoo passes

• Tickets to a concert

• Makeup

• Toys, etc

Being able to really see a patient for who they are, and to understand what might bring them joy . . . It matters! So much of what the care team does is fulfill practical needs, which are of course extremely important. The Sunbeam program is trying to do more than just meet the baseline of survival for our patients. We are aiming for thriving.