Hannah, an incredibly resilient 7-month-old, has endured a series of open-heart surgeries and faced numerous complications, resulting in a prolonged 70-day stay in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PCICU). The experience has been challenging for both Hannah and her mother, who has remained steadfastly by her daughter’s side throughout this arduous journey. To bring a touch of comfort and normalcy to their shared experience, a 47-inch giant teddy bear was gifted to them. Cuddling this enormous companion, Hannah and her mother have found solace in its comforting presence during this difficult time.
47" Giant Teddy Bear
For young Gaby, recovering in the PCICU meant long days filled with medical procedures and quiet moments of waiting. To help brighten her stay and offer a much-needed escape, Brooke’s Voice Foundation purchased her an iPad. The impact was immediate and profound. The tablet transformed her room from a place of medical treatment into a space for play, learning, and connection. From exploring educational apps to watching animated movies, the iPad kept Gaby engaged and entertained, helping to take her mind off her hospitalization and providing a sense of normalcy during a difficult time. It became an essential tool in her recovery, offering comfort and distraction when she needed it most.
iPad
Aries, a tracheostomy-dependent baby, spent the first four months of his life tethered to a ventilator. With the gift of a Boppy Pillow, he has finally begun to experience the world around him. This simple yet ingenious device has become a lifeline for Aries and his mother. Gently nestled in the supportive lounger, Aries can now sit upright, his eyes wide with wonder as he gazes at his mother’s face and takes in everything around him.
Boppy Pillow
A 15-year-old boy battling both cardiac and spinal conditions, received heartbreaking news: surgery was no longer an option due to the risk of life-threatening bleeding. His already diminished quality of life took another blow as he faced the prospect of increasing isolation from his friends. Offering a glimmer of hope, Brooke’s Voice Foundation gifted him a PlayStation console, headset, and two controllers. This wasn’t just a gaming system; it was a bridge. In a world of medical complexities and emotional challenges, it offered a chance to escape, to connect, to simply be a teenager again. It was a tangible expression of support, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, joy and connection were still possible.
PlayStation Console, Headset, and Two Controllers
Damian has been in the NICU for 9+ months with serious health conditions, including chronic lung failure and omphalocele. Even in the face of serious illness and a tracheostomy, he continues to share the sweetest smile. His parents are very invested in his care and passionate about bringing him opportunities for exploration and play. The ball pit purchased through Brooke’s Voice Foundation is the perfect solution for Damien. Damien’s parents and the NICU team are so grateful; the parents are so happy to see their baby play and explore while the medical team sees the benefits of his physical mobility.
Ball Pit
An 11-month-old baby facing a terminal illness was confined to her hospice bed. Her parents’ dreams of exposing her to the sights and sounds of the outside world seemed impossible. Recognizing this yearning, Brooke’s Voice Foundation gifted a special medical stroller to her family. This stroller was designed to accommodate her unique medical needs, providing the necessary support and safety for a fragile life. This stroller provided a fleeting but invaluable window to the world, allowing this precious baby to experience the beauty of life before her journey’s end.
Special Medical Stroller
An 18-year-old patient beginning chemotherapy treatment for high-risk leukemia was typically alone at bedside and the medical team expressed concern over his inability to get restful sleep. With support from the Child Life team and funding from the Brooke’s Voice Foundation, the patient received a hatch alarm clock to reset his circadian rhythm, a white noise machine, and comfortable bedding to create a more soothing and restful environment during his hospital stay.
Alarm Clock, White Noise Machine, Bedding
A 13-year-old girl recovering from a stroke, faced the challenge of continuing her education while confined to a hospital bed. The gift of an iPad proved invaluable. It provided access to online learning resources, allowing her to participate in class from afar and stay connected to her school community. For her, the iPad wasn’t just a piece of technology; it was a vital tool in her recovery journey, helping her maintain a sense of normalcy and continue learning despite the obstacles she faced.
iPad
Brooke’s Voice Foundation provided a specialized stroller wagon to a family traveling with their 22-month-old, technology-dependent boy. He is trach and g-tube dependent. This gift made it possible for them to transport medical equipment including a feeding machine, suction machine, and oxygen tanks, making their travels significantly less stressful and enabling them to maintain their child’s care routine while away from home. The stroller wagon also allows this young child to participate in recreational activities.
Specialized Stroller Wagon
Three courageous little girls battling cancer recently enjoyed a magical day at the American Girl Doll store in NYC. Each girl received a doll that looked just like them, along with a stylish wardrobe for their new friend. They and their mothers then shared a delightful lunch together, creating cherished memories amidst their challenging treatments.
American Girl Doll Store
For 8-year-old “Y”, the journey after his intestinal transplant in May 2024 took a devastating turn. Readmitted in June with rejection, he spent 109 days at Mount Sinai Hospital, including a critical period in the PICU where the transplanted intestine was ultimately removed. During this incredibly challenging time, a gift of a computer tablet became a source of comfort and distraction. For “Y”, who loves videos and games, it was a window to a world beyond the hospital room, offering a welcome escape and a sense of normalcy amidst a long and difficult recovery.
Computer Tablet
Bennett, a tiny warrior who has faced countless challenges since his birth, has spent all of his young life in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PCICU). His journey has been marked by numerous surgeries and unforeseen complications, a testament to his incredible resilience. Now, after his extended stay, there is the strong possibility of discharge and finally going home to his family. To celebrate this milestone and to encourage his continued development, Brooke’s Voice Foundation was able to purchase a Skip Hop Baby Activity Center. This play center will provide Bennett with a safe and stimulating environment as he embarks on this new chapter in his life. It’s a small gesture, but one that symbolizes hope, resilience, and the joy of milestones achieved.
Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
D unfortunately spent his 18th birthday in the hospital due to a sickle cell pain crisis. However, we were able to make his birthday wish come true by gifting him a Play Station 5, with the newest 2K game. With this gift, D was able to de-stress and unwind which helped with his overall well-being. Playing his video games provided a sense of enjoyment and brought back a feeling of normalcy during his time in the hospital. He continues to be seen in the clinic following his inpatient discharge and is still super excited about his gift!
Play Station 5
A precious baby in the cardiac department, dependent on a tracheostomy, was recently gifted a bouncy seat. After a prolonged hospitalization following her birth, the transition home was understandably challenging for this little one and her parents. The bouncy seat, however, has proven to be a beacon of comfort and normalcy. This simple gift is helping this family navigate the challenges of life after a long and difficult hospital stay.
A Bouncy Seat
7-month-old Niko, a whirlwind of energy before his emergency surgery, was now facing the frustrating limitations of recovery. His usual playful explorations were hindered by IV lines and the need for careful repositioning. To help soothe his frustration and keep his developing mind engaged, Brooke’s Voice Foundation gifted him a selection of developmental toys. These toys, designed to stimulate his senses and encourage interaction, provided much-needed comfort and entertainment while his mom navigated the challenges of caring for a recovering infant.
Developmental Toys
Brooke’s Voice arranged for the purchase of a sound machine that plays sounds mimicking amniotic fluid and heartbeat sounds for a baby who spent significant time in the hospital. The sound machine also allowed Mom and Dad to record their voices. Mom and Dad were so invested and loved leaving recordings at the bedside for when they were not able to be with their baby in the hospital. Oftentimes, this would be the only developmental support he could have and allowed both baby and parents to stay connected during this difficult time.
Sound Machine
Brooke’s Voice Foundation purchased an iPad, case, and protector for a 5-year-old girl who was admitted to the ICU for 100 days and is here waiting for a heart transplant. Hospital stays can be long and boring, especially for a child. The iPad offered her a world of entertainment with games, videos, and music to help pass the time and take her mind off things. This gift not only allowed her to have fun but also helped her developmentally.
iPad
A patient in the NICU, who has resided there since birth, recently celebrated his first birthday on November 27th, 2024. To make this milestone extra special, his family expressed a desire to decorate his room and create a more festive atmosphere. In addition to the decorations, we gifted the young patient a collection of developmental toys designed to stimulate his senses and encourage cognitive growth. These toys provided much-needed stimulation and joy during his extended stay in the NICU.
Developmental Toys
We recently gifted a 9-year-old boy several toys to help ease his anxiety after a car vehicle accident left him paralyzed. The accident not only brought physical limitations but also a wave of complications, requiring frequent hospitalizations. Adding to the family’s burdens, their undocumented status makes them ineligible for many support programs, creating significant financial and logistical challenges. These anti-anxiety toys provided this child with a sense of control and autonomy, allowing him to self-soothe and regulate his own emotions. They also provided a sense of comfort and security, helping this child feel more grounded and less anxious.
Toys
An 18-year-old patient was hospitalized for 6 months, post liver transplant. His stay was a rollercoaster of progress, potential setbacks, and constant monitoring. Brooke’s Voice Foundation purchased him a Nintendo switch and games to provide entertainment, comfort, and support during his stay. This gift helped take his mind off the hospitalization and allowed him to stay connected with his friends during his recovery.
Nintendo Switch and Games
A young patient, admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with an unknown diagnosis, endured a prolonged and challenging ordeal. Following weeks of intubation and sedation, the child woke up with neurological complications and was not communicating. His mother, heartbroken to witness her child's struggles, spoke of his deep love for music and watching educational videos at school. With this in mind, we purchased an iPad. The iPad has become a lifeline, offering a window to the world beyond his hospital bed. While he awaits transfer to a rehabilitation center, the iPad provides a much-needed source of stimulation and entertainment, helping to ease the anxiety and loneliness that can accompany a prolonged hospital stay.
iPad
After his open-heart surgery took an unexpected turn, a 17-yr old boy had to be hospitalized for far longer than expected. The extended recovery meant he missed his high school graduation. The disappointment was palpable. The gift of a PlayStation, during the long, often monotonous days and nights, offered a much-needed escape, a way to connect with friends virtually, and a welcome distraction from the beeping machines and sterile environment. It helped fill the void left by missed celebrations and the isolation of recovery, becoming a crucial companion in the final weeks of his extended admission.
PlayStation
J is a 17-year-old boy who has sickle cell disease. Due to his disease, J is frequently admitted to the hospital for sickle cell pain crises—extremely painful episodes that come on suddenly and unexpectedly. These admissions can last for weeks at a time, during which J is experiencing high amounts of pain. With the gift of a computer laptop from Brooke’s Voice Foundation, J was able to complete essential schoolwork during his frequent hospital admissions to complete high school. He also used the laptop as a coping support to play games and distract from his pain during hospitalizations.
Computer Laptop
W is an 18-year-old and this is his third admission due to behavioral issues at home. His behavior dysregulates due to lack of services/structure at home that were to be instituted at his last discharge. The only support he had at home was a home health aide. He does very well in the structured setting of the hospital where he goes to the gym, plays with a ball on the unit, uses a communication board to communicate his needs and feelings, and interacts playfully with staff. W very much appreciated the gift of a phone and seems to have made positive strides towards more appropriate social behaviors.
Phone
Najah celebrated her 15th birthday in the hospital during a prolonged and challenging admission. However, determined to bring some cheer into her room, Brooke’s Voice Foundation was able to purchase a selection of vibrant art supplies. With markers, paints, and colorful paper in hand, Najah transformed her sterile hospital room into a vibrant canvas. She decorated her walls with cheerful artwork, creating a more personal and welcoming space. She was so grateful to be able to celebrate her birthday in a meaningful way.
Vibrant Art Supplies
