George Mark Children's House Hosts Candy Cane Lane
Provides Gifts for Children with Life-Limiting Illnesses and Their Siblings
December 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN LEANDRO, CA – The holiday season just got a bit brighter for Bay Area children with life-limiting illnesses and their siblings. 179 children will receive gifts donated by local community groups, organizations, and individuals.
Young patients of George Mark Children’s House, their siblings, and bereaved siblings of patients who have died received gifts as part of the House’s Candy Cane Lane effort. Parents and families visited George Mark to choose among several hundred gifts, including books, board games, video games, dolls, musical toys, arts and craft kits, and gift cards. Volunteers helped families select their items and wrapped the gifts.
This week, FedEx volunteers will deliver gifts to the front doors of the families who were unable to attend Candy Cane Lane in person.
“We cannot thank our community enough for supporting our pediatric patients and their siblings,” said Kyle Amsler, Child Life Specialist at George Mark Children’s House. “The holidays can be a difficult time for so many of our families, whether it’s financially, difficulty getting to a store to shop with a child with special healthcare needs, or deeply missing a child who has died. It is our hope that Candy Cane Lane can help ease some of these burdens.”
Set in the foothills with views of the Bay Area, George Mark Children’s House is the only freestanding pediatric palliative care facility in the United States. It provides children with limited lifespans and their families with round-the-clock medical and emotional care in a home-like, life-affirming environment, regardless of their financial situation.
Officials with George Mark Children’s House want to thank the many individuals, community groups, and organizations who donated to Candy Cane Lane this year, including FedEx, Disney Pixar, WILD 94.9, Castro Valley Mother’s Club, Alamo Women’s Club, ConEX, American Honda Finance, Kortick, Aerotek, Sugar Bowl Bakery, Buon Tempo Italian American Club, The Taylor Family Foundation, and MB JESSEE.
Photos from Event:
About George Mark Children’s House
George Mark Children’s House (GMCH) located in San Leandro, provides life affirming care for children with illnesses that modern health care cannot yet cure, or for those who have complex medical conditions. Services, including respite care, transitional care, end of life care, and bereavement support are all offered at no charge to medically eligible children and their families. George Mark is the first freestanding pediatric palliative care house in the United States, and has served more than one thousand children since opening sixteen years ago.
CONTACT:
George Mark Children’s House:
Ken Sommer, Director of Advancement
510-346-1269
ksommer@georgemark.org