Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2009. Back then we had NO IDEA that Mattie's cancer was rapidly spreading throughout his body. We thought there was still hope at this point. I am quite sure I snapped this photo because I thought Mattie was being whimsical! After all, check out the parking lot he had going on with his food container. Mattie LOVED toy cars, so much so, that he always had one in his hands or pockets where ever we went.
Quote of the day: Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. ~ Henry Ford
I love Henry Ford's quote, because in all reality it captures the sentiment that I share regarding the development of the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families. In 2012, we brought together psychosocial leaders on Capitol Hill. That may sound easy to do, or a regular occurrence. But it wasn't! Our Symposium on Capitol Hill was novel, as NO ONE ever talked about the psychosocial issues associated with childhood cancer in such a forum. In fact, thanks to us, psychosocial care for children with cancer now has a voice on Capitol Hill.
At the Symposium in 2012, the researchers we invited heard our call to action to develop Standards of Care. However, this core group of researchers, along with over 80 other health care providers from around the country worked on this endeavor for over three years. To this date, we are still working with the core team, as are mission has now turned to the implementation of the published evidence based Standards. Which will take time, as we are asking to change a the medical mind set of care. But we are all committed to this vision, as we do not want to see the Standards as shelf ware or viewed as just an academic exercise. From Henry Ford's stand point, I think the Standards initiative is a success. As there is a committed team of people determined to work together toward a common goal.
Mattie Miracle will be annually funding three evidence based practice grants ($10,000 total) for the implementation of the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families. We are proud to work with APHON and are grateful to be included in the grant decision making process.
I welcome you to listen to the webinar and view the slide show. The webinar is co-run by one of our core team researchers, Kathy Kelly (a nurse scientist at Children's National Health Systems, Washington, DC). Kathy does a nice job at giving an overview of the vision for the Standards as well as a timeline for the project. The webinar is extensive because it is trying to coach nursing professionals on what an evidence based practice grant is and how to apply for it.
To listen to the webinar, go to: http://aphon.org/education/webinars/ebp-psychosocial-standards-webinar
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