During his cancer fight, Lance developed his hope to help other children like him ‘get away’ and find a place to cope with their treatment, and to know they are not alone. A primary goal of Lift Brigade® is to help children take on the many stressors of medical care by providing age-appropriate distraction tools. As Dr. Patel @ Dell Children’s says, it’s nice to “see kids just being kids with smiles.”
Our Distraction Tool efforts include:
– Gaming and Technology
– Emergency Slime Kits
– LiftBuddies
– Staff Wish Lists
Gaming and Technology
Lance used gaming and technology to get away, to heal after treatments, to prepare for upcoming procedures and to connect. We have worked hard since the founding of Lift Brigade to advocate for kids being able to be connected to their gaming platforms while in the hospital, especially while in isolation.
[Effort Example: Dell Children’s Medical Center – DCMC]
Lift Brigade has installed consoles in ALL 24 rooms on the 4North unit of DCMC. This unit primarily supports hematology and oncology patients but also cares for overflow patients. In addition to acquiring and installing the consoles and associated accessories, Lift Brigade worked with DCMC to allow the consoles to access the internet via a private network allowing for kids to access their online accounts while in the hospital. This has been a HUGE win for the kids. In addition, DVDs and Blu Rays can be played and streaming content accessed (e.g. Netflix, Prime Video, etc.) as the consoles perform as a entertainment center for each room.
Lift Brigade also supports this installation as well as two (2) playrooms on the floor ensuring that the consoles are always available for the kids.
Emergency Slime Kits
Children of all ages love slime!!!!
Our Emergency Slime Kits are designed to bring joy whenever needed – whether on the infusion floor of the clinic or while in-patient at the hospital. Children get a chance to have some fun while dealing with their treatment. We supply ready-built kits that make the process “four easy steps to slime time!” Lift Brigade also hosts regular Lift Brigade days in the clinic where we bring in breakfast and materials for the children to make slime while sitting on the infusion floor.
LiftBuddies
With the generous support of Austin Christian Fellowship, we are able to supply patients with an amazingly cute and cuddly stuffed animal to help patients and siblings through tough times. ACF’s vacation bible study kids start the process by getting the animals ready and stuffed. Lift Brigade volunteers then put the finishing touches together before delivery.
We attach this note to each LiftBuddy:
“This LiftBuddy is a great listener, cuddler, and will stay by your side during tough times. Prayers and encouragement have been poured into this buddy’s wishing star. Just open the back to add a wish or prayer to the golden star. We hope this LiftBuddy gives you comfort, reminds you that you are not alone, & brings you joy.”
From the mother of a CBCC patient: “Thank you Lift Brigade for the darling giraffe. My two year old daughter loves it! She held it all the way home from her chemo appointment! So sweet of y’all to donate those and I’m so impressed with Lance, the young man who started this foundation—so thoughtful of him to use his Make-a-Wish to start a foundation to help families like mine.”
Thank you all so much for helping us bring comfort, smiles, and companionship to so many kids who truly need it!
Staff Wish Lists
Way back in Spring of 2015, Team Lance (before Lift Brigade was officially launched) delivered our 1st set of staff directed wish list items to the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center @ Dell. This 1st delivery included: toys, games, puzzles, sheets, blankets and more. All intended for patients or staff needs at the clinic. Since that 1st delivery, Lift Brigade has conducted many wish list drives for the clinic.
Our most recent delivery focused on end of treatment (EOT) needs and distraction tools aimed at younger and impaired patients. EOT is a huge milestone for patients. For end of treatment parties, we donated fifty 20×30 foam boards to make fun signs and over 100 confetti-filled party poppers. So glad to be able to assist in this significant moment! We also donated several toys… musical instruments with light and sound as well as sensory toys for patients with auditory and visual impairments. These will serve as distraction tools for kiddos struggling though treatment… the ? of our mission!