Keatons Child Cancer Alliance

TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING EMOTIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT, WHILE INCREASINGAWARENESS AND FUNDING RESEARCH TOWARD A CURE.

NAVIGATING THE CHILDHOOD CANCER JOURNEY:CHILDHOOD CANCER FAMILIES EXPERIENCE FINANCIAL BURDEN, TRAUMA, ISOLATION, AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AS THEY FIGHT EVERY DAY FOR THEIR CHILD'S SURVIVAL. BEYOND THE PANDEMIC, ALL THESE STRESSORS WERE ENHANCED WITH ADDITIONAL INCOME LOSS DUE TO UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD INSECURITY, AND INCREASED TRAVEL EXPENSES TO TREATMENT CENTERS.IN 2021, OUR FAMILY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM CONTINUED TO BEST ADDRESS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE VULNERABLE POPULATION WE SERVE. OUR ANNUAL HOSPITAL PARTNER ROUNDTABLE MEETINGS HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR TEEN SUPPORT, CONNECTION, AND INCREASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT. TO HELP REDUCE THE FINANCIAL STRAIN ON FAMILIES, KEATON'S PROVIDED 133 FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL GRANT ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, A TOTAL OF 432 VOUCHERS TO ASSIST WITH FOOD AND/OR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS: 221 FOOD VOUCHERS AND 211 GAS CARDS. IN ALL, 183 FAMILIES AND A TOTAL OF 751 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED DIRECT SUPPORT TO REDUCE FINANCIAL STRESSORS. OUR NEW PROJECT "GROCERIES TO DOORSTEPS" SUPPORTED 71 FAMILIES AND A TOTAL OF 319 INDIVIDUALS. IN 2021, WE IMPACTED 409 CANCER PATIENTS (UNDUPLICATED) AND OVER 1800 INDIVIDUALS WITH VARIOUS DIRECT SERVICES FROM OUR FAMILY NAVIGATOR PROGRAMS. TO PROTECT THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, WE CONTINUED DISSEMINATING FACE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS TO PROGRAM FAMILIES. FAMILIES WERE LINKED TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, INCOME ASSISTANCE, LODGING SUPPORT, AND BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD AND DIAPERS. FAMILY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM INCREASES IMPACT FAMILY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM: TO BEST MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND OF PROGRAM SERVICES, KEATON'S FAMILY NAVIGATOR TEAM GREW BY TWO ADDITIONAL PART-TIME SOCIAL WORKERS. THESE FORMER SACRAMENTO STATE INTERNS UTILIZED THEIR TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, AND PROGRAM KNOWLEDGE TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY IN SERVING 409 FAMILIES IN 2021. THE STRATEGIC ADDITION OF A BILINGUAL FAMILY NAVIGATOR INCREASED OUR CONNECTIONS WITH HISPANIC/LATINO FAMILIES, THE LARGEST MINORITY GROUP SERVED. IN FACT, A HISPANIC/LATINO FAMILY EVENT HELD IN 2021 IMPACTED 22 INDIVIDUALS. KEATON'S CARE KITS: EACH YEAR, SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK INTERNS COMPLETE THEIR LEGACY PROJECT DEDICATED TO A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM IMPACT. THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF OUR 2020-2021 FALL/SPRING SACRAMENTO STATE INTERNS, KEATON'S CARE KITS, HOSPITAL TOILETRY SETS FILLED WITH TRAVEL-SIZED ESSENTIALS FOR UNEXPECTED HOSPITAL STAYS AND LONG CLINIC VISITS. AFTER COMPLETING THIS PROJECT AND FILLING 100 CARE KITS, PACKAGES WERE DELIVERED TO KAISER ROSEVILLE, SUTTER HEALTH SACRAMENTO, AND UC DAVIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER. IN ADDITION, CARE KITS WERE INCLUDED IN HOPE CHEST CARE PACKAGES SENT TO BAY AREA FAMILIES. PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT: CREATING A PEDIATRIC CANCER COMMUNITY REMAINS A PRIORITY FOR THE ORGANIZATION. IN 2021, WE HELD TWO SEPARATE EVENTS FOR MOTHERS OF PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS. THE MOMMY AND ME PAINT NIGHT AS WELL AS THE 6-WEEK CREATIVE WRITING PROJECT HELPED SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEY ADDRESSED THE EMOTIONAL IMPACTS OF PEDIATRIC CANCER. COMMUNITY ALLIANCE PARTNERS:IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO, CONTRIBUTED OVER 3,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME (1.5 FTE) TO THE PROJECT UNDER THE MENTORSHIP OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR. OVER 200 BUSINESS PARTNERS PROVIDED IN-KIND GOODS AND SERVICES THAT EASED BURDENS EXPERIENCED BY FAMILIES AND ADVANCED KEATON'S MISSION. WE CROSS-REFER WITH NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CHICKS IN CRISIS, PROJECT MY OWN BED, HEARTS LANDING RANCH, LEAGUE OF HEROES INSPIRED, SEVILLA MAGIC FX, SUTTER CHILDREN'S BEREAVEMENT ART GROUP, THE PEN PAL PROJECT, VIRTUAL SPROUTS EDUCATION, LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA SOCIETY, CHURCHES, NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS. WE COORDINATE OUR SERVICE PLANS WITH HOSPITAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO ENSURE EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE WORK AND NON-DUPLICATION OF RESOURCES.BEREAVEMENT PROGRAM:WE PROVIDED 22 FAMILIES GRIEF SUPPORT FROM OUR ANGEL WINGS PROGRAM, OF WHICH 12 RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH FUNERARY EXPENSES. WE PROVIDED OUR SIGNATURE REMEMBRANCE BOXES, HANDCRAFTED WOODEN BOXES FILLED WITH GRIEF BOOKS, RESOURCES, JOURNALS, PHOTO ALBUMS, AND HAND-WRITTEN CARDS IN SUPPORT OF SIBLINGS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS. CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT FOR TEENS:OUR FIRST EVENT OF 2021 WAS DEDICATED TO TEEN PATIENTS AND SIBLINGS. THANKS TO OUR NEW ALLIANCE PARTNER, HEARTS LANDING RANCH, WE HOSTED A TEEN DAY AT THE RANCH FEATURING GAMES, CHARACTER APPEARANCES, ARTS & CRAFTS, AND ART THERAPY ACTIVITIES WITH THE HORSES. A TOTAL OF 32 INDIVIDUALS WERE IN ATTENDANCE. WHILE YOUTH ENGAGED, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT THROUGH SIMILAR LIVED EXPERIENCES. FAMILY FUN DAY:TO KICK OFF THE YEAR, WE HELD OUR FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, "FAMILY FUN DAY" AT GILL'S ORCHARD. A TOTAL OF 15 FAMILIES, AMOUNTING TO 70 INDIVIDUALS JOINED IN ON THE FUN AND KIDDOS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN FUN ACTIVITIES LIKE ARTS AND CRAFTS, HAYRIDES, MEET AND GREETS WITH THEIR FAVORITE DISNEY PRINCESSES AND SUPERHEROES, AND MORE! FAMILIES ENJOYED A NICE DAY OF RESPITE IN THE BEAUTIFUL OUTDOORS AND RE-CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER AFTER A YEAR OF EXTENSIVE ISOLATION. FUNDERLAND FAMILY EVENT:WE HOSTED OUR ANNUAL FUNDERLAND EVENT JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER VACATION. WITH 165 INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE, THIS PRIVATE EVENT OFFERED A MEMORABLE EVENING FILLED WITH GAMES, RIDES, CRAFT STATIONS, AND SURPRISE CHARACTER VISITS. KNOWING THAT CHILDREN WITH CANCER OR UNDERSERVED FAMILIES MAY NEVER HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND LARGE AMUSEMENT PARKS, OUR TEAM BROUGHT A DISNEY THEMED EXPERIENCE TO THIS EVENT. WITH SURPRISE VISITS FROM MICKEY AND MINNIE MOUSE, ALONG WITH OTHER DISNEY CHARACTERS, CHILDREN'S FACES LIT UP WITH JOY AS THEY HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE PHOTOS AND RECEIVE AUTOGRAPHS FROM THESE VERY SPECIAL GUESTS. PUMPKIN PATCH DAY: IN THE FALL, 12 KEATON'S FAMILIES, A TOTAL OF 60 INDIVIDUALS, JOINED US FOR OUR SECOND ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH DAY AT KEEMA'S PUMPKIN FARM. THIS EVENT OFFERED A PRIVATE AREA FOR FAMILIES TO CONNECT WITH ANOTHER AND KIDDOS CAME DRESSED UP IN THEIR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME. PARTICIPATING IN HAYRIDES, A PETTING ZOO, TRICK-OR-TREAT STATIONS, AND A CHANCE TO HAND PICK AND DECORATE THEIR VERY OWN PUMPKIN, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAD A GREAT TIME ENJOYING ALL THE FUN ACTIVITIES THAT THE PUMPKIN PATCH HAD TO OFFER. OPERATION GOBBLE:AS A PART OF OUR NUTRITIONAL-AID PROGRAM, WE SUPPORTED 40 FAMILIES, A TOTAL OF 192 INDIVIDUALS, WITH A TURKEY AND SIDE ITEMS THROUGH OUR ANNUAL OPERATION GOBBLE EFFORTS, JUST IN TIME FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. THESE FOOD ITEMS, ALONG WITH A KEATON'S "THANKSGIVING COOKBOOK" FILLED WITH KID-FRIENDLY RECIPES, WERE HAND-DELIVERED TO FAMILIES' DOORSTEPS, OR PICKED UP IN OUR OFFICE, GIVING THE TEAM AND VOLUNTEERS A CHANCE TO MEET WITH FAMILIES WHO WERE FILLED WITH THE UTMOST GRATITUDE.ANNUAL HOLLY JOLLY CELEBRATION: OUR ANNUAL HOLLY JOLLY CELEBRATION WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, BEING BACK AS AN IN-PERSON EVENT, WITH MORE THAN 200 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ATTENDANCE. THE EVENT WAS A MAGICAL HOLIDAY EVENT WHICH INCLUDED DINNER, MUSIC, ICE-SKATING, HOT CHOCOLATE, CRAFT STATIONS, A LIGHT SHOW, GOODIE BAGS, AND PRESENTS FOR EVERY CHILD IN ATTENDANCE. SPECIAL VISITS WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS, AND OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS CREATED A TRULY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE. WE WERE THRILLED TO BE BACK IN-PERSON WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER AFTER SO MUCH TIME IN ISOLATION. HOLIDAY ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM:THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, 54 CHILDHOOD CANCER FAMILIES COMPRISING A TOTAL OF 250 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED HOLIDAY WISH LIST ITEMS AND SUPPORT WITH BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS GAS AND FOOD. ALL FAMILIES WERE INTENTIONALLY SELECTED BASED ON THEIR NEED AND IMPACTS OF FINANCIAL STRAIN DUE THE TREATMENT. BY PROVIDING THESE SPECIAL WISHES, FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO FOCUS ON CREATING SPECIAL NEW MEMORIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW EACH YEAR AND PROVIDES A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT AND GREATLY IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. RESEARCH FUNDING:ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR MISSION IS FUNDING PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH TO ADVANCE TREATMENT OPTIONS. IN 2021, WE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES AND BRING US CLOSER TO FINDING CURES. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ST. BALDRICK'S FOUNDATION, WE SUCCESSFULLY HOSTED 2 COMMUNITY EVENTS FROM WHICH FUNDS RAISED BENEFITTED LOCAL RESEARCHERS AT UC DAVIS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AND UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OAKLAND.