The mission and goals of the Adopt a Pig program are simple: to provide coping mechanisms and support services to children fighting cancer and their families. The founders of this program, experienced these cancer treatments firsthand and understand is neither a simple nor short process. By providing support to children and families, they hope to ease some of the struggles and pains associated with this emotional and physical battle.
Coping Kits:
Upon diagnosis, children and their families are often times admitted into treatment immediately, without the opportunity to pack their personal belongings. Adopt a Pig will be providing Coping Kits to these children that will include some of the basic essentials such as toothbrushes, toiletries, toys and books. In addition, other non-essential, but very helpful items will be included in every Coping Kit, some items seen as a luxury by some, but in the case of these children, something small in comparison to their long battle and incredible strength.
Family Events:
Adopt A Pig partners with groups to provide children and their families a day to just have fun and forget about cancer and treatment. These events are open to all family members at no cost and are aimed to provide VIP treatment to all who attend. Most recently Adopt a Pig partnered with the Philadelphia Soul to provide a day at the game complete with food, an on field tour and meet and greet with the players, cheerleaders and ownership of the Philadelphia Soul organization. One of the children attending was also selected as the Soul’s honorary team captain and was highlighted on ESPN’s Last Man Standing series.
Parent Room at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Adopt a Pig is working with the hospital to build a parent room on their bone marrow transplant wing of the hospital. Nemours offered a room on this particular wing for Adopt a Pig to provide a room where parents could retreat but still be in close proximity to their children. The space was planned by well known designer Christa Santivasi Lutz to be a soft contrast to the cold and sterile world of the units necessary demands. This floor must maintain the highest of standards of cleanliness due to the deficient immunity of the children being treated on this wing. Many providers have stepped up to provide discounted or free services for the building of this room. We hope to have the room open during the summer of 2008.
These are just some of the immediate plans for the children and families who will benefit from the programs of Adopt a Pig. We know that a day free from thoughts of cancer is a luxury and we hope that we are able to bring that to all of the children and families Adopt a Pig touches.
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