Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
The mission of the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation—founded in 2003—is to support families of children with cancer so they can maintain their financial and emotional health during the treatment and recovery process. In 2009, we served a total of 445 individuals (104 families), including parents and siblings from the California Central Coast counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo. Your donation will help The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation continue to provide:
• Financial assistance: Low to moderate income families can apply for $2,000-5,000 in financial aid to pay for rent, mortgage, utilities, car payments, health insurance premiums, medications, hotel accommodations for extended hospital stays and other day to day necessities.
• Support Groups: We offer monthly parent support groups in Santa Barbara and Ventura, led by a licensed social worker. Art therapy group is also provided for the child with cancer and their siblings, led by a licensed child therapist.
• TBCF Storytellers: TBCF volunteer reads stories to all the children in pediatrics at Cottage Hospital.
• Moments in Time: We offer help to families with special requests such as building a wheelchair ramp, tutoring, childcare, and other unmet needs.
• Care packages: Consist of market and restaurant gift certificates, toys, toiletries, a phone card, and food vouchers.
• Transportation: We arrange rides to and from treatments for families without transportation.
• Kids’ Days and Family Fun Events: We host fun activities for our families, helping them to feel less alone.
Contributions such as yours will provide the funds needed to carry out the Foundation’s mission of providing financial & emotional assistance to families with a child diagnosed with cancer. |
