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Give a little hope

Meet Molly

Molly was six years old when doctors found a cancerous tumor—the size of a large grapefruit—on her kidney. To make matters worse, the cancer had spread to her lungs and heart. While doctors began an aggressive treatment plan tailored to Molly’s needs, her parents agonized over how to talk about everything that was happening with their young daughter.

“We didn’t have all the answers yet,” recalls her dad, Jon. “So, we didn’t know how to approach the subject with our daughter. And the Child Life Specialists really helped us with that.”

Lurie Children’s Child Life Specialists work with patients and families to help them understand and cope with the challenges of being in the hospital. Elizabeth, one of Molly’s Child Life Specialists, used Play-Doh and kid-friendly terms to explain how the chemotherapy would shrink her tumor. As Molly’s treatment progressed, Child Life Specialists helped the family navigate other difficult conversations, such as chemo-induced hair loss, and offered coping strategies for Molly’s little sister Annie. “So many people have gone out of their way to help us out,” says Molly’s mom, Erin. “All the resources that Lurie Children’s provides allows us to focus on Molly, her health, and her sister.”

"So many people have gone out of their way to help us out," says Molly's mom, Erin. "All the resources that Lurie Children's provides allows us to focus on Molly, her health, and her sister."

After a year and a half of treatment that included chemotherapy and radiation, Molly is currently cancer-free.

At Lurie Children’s, our Department of Family Services ensures our patients and their families are supported mentally, emotionally and spiritually throughout their treatment experience. A gift from you can help kids like Molly get the support they need and hope for a healthier future.

Give today through 11/29 to DOUBLE your impact, thanks to an anonymous donor!
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Why support Lurie Children’s?

As one of the country’s top-ranked children's hospitals, we’re dedicated to giving every child the care and support they need to live better, healthier lives.

Access for all

As a non-profit medical center, our donors help us care for kids who need it most.

Advocacy

We advocate for policies that combat systemic healthcare barriers and increase access to children’s healthcare.

Specialized Care Teams

Our patient care teams include creative arts therapists, child life specialists, interpreters, tutors and teachers.

Full-spectrum support

We strive to address the root causes of child health disparities with support services and financial assistance.