Ladybug House Newsletter

February 2017


CAN YOU SEE IT?  

Our community is building so much more than a house.

Together we are inventing a completely new concept of care for children and young adults whose experiences are unfathomable for most people. When we talk to friends and future supporters about Ladybug House, we ask them to imagine a place unlike anywhere they have ever been.

How do you imagine it? What does Ladybug House look like in your wildest dreams? Share a sketch, a drawing, or a brief description with info@ladybughouse.org. We would like to share your vision on social media to help inspire others. If we can imagine it together, we can build it together.

Keep reading to learn about our latest news, events and success stories.  
 
THE SHORT LIST
LBH visited Olympia! 
We met with Rep. Eileen Cody (also a nurse!) who expressed interest in LBH and shared very encouraging ideas. More details coming soon.

Our survey is ongoing! Parents and family members who have experienced caring for children, adolescents or young adults (29 and younger) with life-limiting illnesses: We would be so grateful if you completed the online survey and shared the link with others in Washington state. Your input can help legislators and others better understand the needs of our community. Questions? Contact emily@ladybughouse.org

The search continues for the angel donor(s) who can gift Ladybug House with 3-5 acres of land or a financial gift that helps us procure it. Spread the word! You never know who may be listening. 

A BIRTHDAY WISH

To help raise awareness,
Suzanne's cousin
submitted a video to the Ellen show. She sang a medley of Stevie Wonder songs (what a voice!) and told Ellen all about LBH.
Want to make Suzanne's birthday wish come true? Send your own message to Ellen and help us convince them to feature LBH!

LADYBUG LOVE
As we work to build our home, we will continue to reach out and ask for your help in providing families with moments of rest and rejuvenation right now. W e call it Ladybug Love.
 
Remember our first Ladybug Love family, Daphne and her son Terrance? They were homeless last summer. But after eight months at Mary's Place, they are living in their new home! Terrance, 18, is on relapse number three. He finished chemo, radiation and is on the mend after surgery. Let's keep them in our thoughts!  
 
29,000.
That's how many volunteer hours we have accrued. Valued at approximately $1.3 million, this illustrates the power of our community coming together.

Ladybug House is but a dream without the dedication and talents of our volunteers. Thank you to all who walk this journey with us!

Erin Harper, PhD

Congrats to Erin, our own LBH champion, who earned her Doctorate! Along with Emily, she is working on the Qualitative Survey with Seattle University. You make us proud!
WORD IS GETTING OUT

 

Our founder Suzanne was quoted extensively in Slate.com's American Children Deserve a Better Death. The article explains the crucial care our country is missing, which is exactly what Ladybug House aims to provide. Please read and share!

 

Suzanne was also interviewed by KUOW Public Radio , Seattle's NPR member station. Listen to A vision to improve treatment for terminally ill children in Seattle
 
CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER

LBH is partnering with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Swedish Hospital to present a new series of free talks called "Conversations that Matter." Scheduled for March, June, and September, these events are open to the community and may be of special interest to patients and caregivers, along with nurses, doctors, therapists, and anyone else who provides care. 

In March, Dr. Erin Harper will discuss how adolescent and young adult palliative care needs are different. Please check the LBH Facebook page or our website for more details.

Pre-registration for this free program is preferred. But we would love to see you, even if your schedule opens up at the last minute! CEU's will be offered. For more information or to register, please contact Christine Means-Wallace at 206-957-4585 or http://tinyurl.com/glg3y9p/.
 
William Harper
So many wonderful gifts
  • A $50,000 gift from the Janice Lee Wood Peterson Foundation in December helped us raise an additional $22,000 in matching donations! Thank you to everyone that contributed!
  • We have employer matching with several companies: Microsoft, Boeing, ESPN, Disney, United Health Care, Nordstrom, Google, and others. Contact us to see if yours is one of them!
  • Thank you to William Harper, survivor and journalism student studying in Eugene. He took time to produce this wonderful interview with our founder Suzanne.
Help families and children celebrate every day by supporting Ladybug House. To learn how you can contribute to the mission, email  info@ladybughouse.org .
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