AIR DATE SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
Title: Childhood Cancer Awareness
Emily talks with local organizations dedicated to supporting children diagnosed with cancer and other chronic illnesses, and their families.
Guests and Locations
Runway to Hope, Executive Director – Laura Lockner
Give Kids the World Village, President & CEO – Pamela Landwirth
Local Organizations Support Children Battling Critical Illnesses
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Thousands of kids, including here in Central Florida, are diagnosed with a critical illness each year. Although we highlight this fact one month each year, it is often an ongoing battle for children and families.
I recently spoke with Pamela Landwirth, President and CEO of Give Kids the World Village. This nonprofit sits on an 89-acre complex that feels like a resort in Kissimmee. “We’re the destination for children from around the world who are battling a critical illness and share one wish,” she told me, “whether it’s meeting Mickey Mouse or going to Universal, SeaWorld, or Legoland.”
About half of the kids who battle a critical illness want to visit one of Florida’s theme parks as their one wish. Landwirth’s organization provides a week-long, cost-free experience for that child’s entire family.
Local Fundraising Supports Pediatric Support at Hospitals
Runway to Hope works to support children battling cancer or a critical illness by hosting fundraising events and developing community awareness about this issue.
I spoke with Laura Lockner, the organization’s executive director, about how the nonprofit supports kids in Florida. “We have funded a total of $4.3 million to our Central Florida children’s hospitals,” she told me. “That’s Advent Health for Children, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Nemours Children’s Hospital.”
Lockner says that their nonprofit’s first million dollars helped to form the neuro-oncology program at Arnold Palmer. Although some public funding is available, results are dependent on local philanthropy. “All of our dollars are donated in the nonprofit private sector,” she said. “Then we underwrite the programs at the hospitals and oversee the growth of those programs.”
The Combination of Fun and Treatment Delivers Incredible Results
Children diagnosed with a critical illness are often served with a child life specialist or social worker. These professionals meet with the family, explain the situation, and discuss their wish eligibility through various granting organizations.
“The wish-granting partner will sit down with a child and say, ‘If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?’” Landwirth said. “For over 50% [of the kids], it is to come here and experience everything that we have in Central Florida.”
Laughter is the best medicine for kids. It can strengthen their immune systems, boost their mood, and diminish pain. More importantly, these fun experiences become memories for the entire family to enjoy. Instead of thinking about the illness, everyone can enjoy spending time in the moment together.
“Only 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s Funding supports pediatric cancer research,” said Lockner, “so here’s really an importance on philanthropic and private organizations to find the gaps in treatment and services.”
More information about Give Kids the World Village is available at GKTW.org. You can also learn more about Runway to Hope by visiting runwaythope.org. Both organizations readily accept donations and offer volunteer opportunities for those who’d like to do more to support local children dealing with critical illnesses.
