On April 24, Brandon Prust challenged our community to match his $25,000 donation to Children’s Health Foundation to support accommodations and other financial needs for families with sick children at Children’s Hospital.
You answered his call and the donations came pouring in, bringing the total amount raised to $52,215.
“It is incredible to see our community come together for local families in their time of need and I am thrilled that we were able to reach our goal and double the amount of support we can provide. These families are indirectly affected by COVID-19 and it is important we stand by them right now,” said Brandon Prust, founder of The Brandon Prust Foundation.
The impact of COVID-19 on families has been significant. These much-needed funds will support the Family Assistance Program at Children’s Hospital, which has seen a spike in demand for accommodations due to regular accommodation options not being available as a result of COVID19.
Your support also helps ensure that parents/caregivers have access to nutritious meals while caring for their sick child. Over 1000 meals have been provided for parents/caregivers who have a child in hospital.
And on top of the isolation many of us are feeling at home, parents of sick children are at the hospital, alone, with only one parent permitted to visit every 24 hours.
The Family Assistance Program has launched a Virtual Visit Program, developed for patients to connect with loved ones during these visitor restrictions. Those who are not able to use their own devices to communicate through audio or video calls can receive assistance with hospital devices and technology platforms.
In addition to the new programs implemented due to COVID-19, your support also provides financial resources for the coverage of in-hospital meals, groceries, parking, travel, drugs, internet access and more.
Entirely donor funded, the Family Assistance Program helps families to worry less about money and instead, focus on what matters most: caring for their sick child.
Last year, the program directly served 1,657 families.
“I want to thank Brandon Prust for being a community champion and leading the way to show these families they are not alone during this difficult and uncertain time. And thank you to the community for stepping up to the challenge. You are making a big difference, allowing parents to focus on their sick child,” said Scott Fortnum, President and CEO, Children’s Health Foundation.
Donations to the Family Assistance Program are still being accepted by Children’s Health
Foundation at www.childhealth.ca/prusty4kids.
