Open Heart Magic

TO STRENGTHEN SICK KIDS USING THE THERAPEUTIC POWER OF MAGIC.

OPEN HEART MAGIC'S LONG STANDING PROGRAM PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC MAGIC, ONE-ON-ONE, AT A PATIENT'S BEDSIDE TO BRING LAUGHTER AND STRENGTH TO SICK KIDS FACING SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS. OUR HOSPITAL MAGICIANS WORK WITH YOUNG PATIENTS, USING MAGIC AS A MEANS TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION, ENGAGE THE IMAGINATION, AND HELP THESE KIDS FIND THEIR OWN SENSE OF CONFIDENCE AND MASTERY AS THEY LEARN TO PERFORM TRICKS FOR THEIR DOCTORS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS. BECAUSE OUR BEDSIDE MAGIC PERFORMANCES ARE PERSONALIZED AND INTERACTIVE, WE'RE ABLE TO WORK WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES, REGARDLES OF PHYSICAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL RESTRICTIONS. WE OFFER SUPPORT TO KIDS WHO ARE IN A ONE-TIME ER VISIT, AS WELL AS PATIENTS UNDERGOING LONG-TERM TREATMENT FOR CONDITIONS SUCH AS PEDICATRIC CANCER, CHILDHOOD DIABETES, HEART PROBLEMS, AND MORE. DISEASE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. IT CAN IMPACT ANY KID. MANY OF THE PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS WE REACH ARE IN UNDERSERVED AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AREAS. UNFORTUNATELY THIS POPULATION MORE EASILY FINDS THEMSELVES FINANCIALLY UNABLE TO MAKE REGULAR DOCTOR VISITS AND END UP IN MORE SERIOUS IN-PATIENT SITUATIONS. THESE SICK KIDS ARE OFTEN FOUND ALONE BECAUSE PARENTS LACK WORK FLEXIBILITY AND SECURITY TO STAY AT THE HOSPITAL WITH THEIR CHILD. WE BELIEVE LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE FOR A CHILD, AND THANKS TO OUR UNIQUE PROGRAMMING, SCARY AND ISOLATE HOSPITALS ROOMS ARE TRANSFORMED AND FILLED WITH LAUGHTER AND JOY. HOSPITAL MAGICIAN VOLUNTEERS OFTEN HEAR PARENTS SAY, "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MY CHILD HAS LAUGHED SINCE WE'VE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL- THANK YOU! WHEN PROGRAMS WERE SUSPENDED IN 2020 DUE TO COVID-19, OPEN HEART MAGIC WORKED TO FIND A WAY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING JOY AND HEALING DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN 2021, WE DEVELOPED A HIGH-VALUED TOOL FOR HOSPITAL STAFF TO HELP ISOLATED KIDS. WE PARTNERED WITH LEGO AND AN AWARD-WINNING FAMILY GAME, WHILE CREATING OUR OWN ULTIMATE MAGIC KIT OFFERING VIRTUAL MAGIC INSTRUCTION. THESE ITEMS ARE PACKAGED TOGETHER IN A FUN, PROFESSIONAL WAY TO MAKE UP A MAGIC DELIVERY. THE BOX GETS DELIVERED BEDSIDE TO SUPPORT LAUGHTER, CREATIVITY, AND FUN DURING A STRESSFUL TIME. YOUNG PATIENTS RECEIVE THIS PERSONAL PACKAGE DIRECTLY AT THEIR BEDSIDE AND IS MEANT TO REACH CHILDREN IN HARDER TO SERVE UNITS SUCH AS EMERGENCY ROOMS, BURN UNITS, ONCOLOGY FLOORS, AND MORE. BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, MANY CHILDREN WERE IN ISOLATION, UNABLE TO SEE VISITORS AND SOMETIMES EVEN THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS PANDEMIC ALLOWED US TO COMMIT TO OUR LONG-TERM, DREAM PROJECT: MAGIC DELIVERY. YEARS AGO, LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHALLENGED US TO CREATE A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE THAT -IN AN EMERGENCY -COULD HELP KIDS. WITH THE HELP OF OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THIS DREAM COME TRUE. IN 2021, 304 MAGIC DELIVERY BOXES WENT TO 7 HOSPITALS WITH MORE SHIPPING IN 2022.