Friday, August 31, 2018

Friday, August 31, 2018


Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2006. That summer my parents and I took Mattie to San Diego. Mattie loved going to San Diego because there were many activities geared toward his interests and though it is hot in the summer, it is manageable. That trip, we stayed at an Embassy Suites hotel and I had Mattie pose for a photo on our balcony with the Coronado harbor behind him.







Quote of the day: You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over. ~ Richard Branson


I would say that Branson's quote is quite on target. Or at least this is how I feel  especially as it relates to running the Foundation. Every aspect of the Foundation I had to learn, since the skills I use weren't taught to me in school. 

Over the last several months, I have gotten a crash course is starting up a research grant program. Mattie Miracle is offering grants through professional associations, but every aspect of the process has been part of a learning curve. Peter and I were very impressed with the caliber of proposals that were submitted. Honestly the researchers took our request seriously and applied in a very methodical and thoughtful manner. 

The association where our grant is housed had a scientific review committee evaluate and rate the proposals. They selected ONE study our of 12 based on (26 letters of intent came in, and then we selected 12 to submit proposals):

• Significance to psychosocial oncology and the implementation of the pediatric standards
• Scientific Merit
• Innovation
• Appropriateness of Methods
• Qualifications of the investigator (research team) to conduct study

However, when Peter and I think of implementation studies that we wish to fund, we think of actionable research. Research that produces an end product that can be used and adapted to other treatment sites. Clinicians are looking to the leaders of the Standards project for tools/models they can use to implement Standards at their site, and our implementation grants can help address this need.  


So what's the point to all of this? Well one proposal was selected for a Mattie Miracle grant by a scientific review committee. In addition, Mattie Miracle decided to fund five additional studies based on two criteria: 1) that the study address a different Standard (since there are 15, that isn't a problem), and 2) that the study has the potential of producing a product that can assist other treatment sites with implementation. 

When we decided to have a professional association administer the grant process, I was happy about this decision because I figured that they had a framework in place that could be followed to lighten my admin load. But now that Mattie Miracle has selected to fund specific proposals on its own, I am responsible for that communication and follow through. We shall see how this all works out in the end. 

But I am happy to say, we are funding 6 studies, each addressing a different psychosocial Standards. In total, we are funding $40k in research this year, with the intention of making this an annual initiative. 

  

My boy got groomed today! Sunny is a pip. When I take him inside to see the groomer, he shakes like a leaf. He appears to be super anxious. Yet his groomer tells me that as soon as the process starts he is as calm as a cucumber. So we have concluded that the anxiety show is for MY benefit. Sunny has been seeing the same groomer for two years now and she loves him. She says he is her favorite.