Spotlight Shines on Pediatric Palliative Care at Circle of Caring Award Dinner

While the Circle of Caring Award Dinner honored Kim and Scott Welch, it also highlighted the tremendous work Center for Hospice Care does in pediatric hospice and palliative care. While many hospice organizations operate in the area, CHC is one of the few that not only accepts pediatric patients but also actively seeks them out.

Dr. Matt Misner has driven our efforts in this area. Dual-certified in pediatric medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, Dr. Matt is drawn to caring for kids. He says, “Personally, at one time I wanted to be a pediatric oncologist. But what I learned about it is, I wasn’t drawn to the saving part; I was drawn to the children who were told, whose parents were told, they’re not going to make it. So who speaks for that kid, who speaks for that family?”

One of the greatest aspects of pediatric hospice care is that, unlike with adults, they don’t have to give up curative treatment. Children can receive both types of care concurrently. This option gives families hope, especially when they want their son or daughter to be a kid instead of a patient.

Elizabeth Carris, mother of Adler – a pediatric patient who has been in both the hospice and palliative programs at Center for Hospice Care, says, “A really good day for Adler is a low-pain day. So, if he’s able to go out with his friends, enjoy himself, thrive at life as a seventeen-year-old boy, that’s great.” With our team’s support, Adler has been able to thrive. Not to say there aren’t bad days, but he says, “The best advice I have is to always be hopeful for the future. And to be hopeful even for the next moment, because it can be moment-to-moment,”

At the Circle of Caring Award Dinner, we held a paddle-up, with all proceeds benefiting the pediatric hospice and palliative care program. Attendees stepped up to the plate and hit a home run, contributing over $400,000 to make sure vulnerable youth and teens in our community receive this important care. Center for Hospice Care is dedicated to sustaining this program by raising funds for staff training, growth and working with other nonprofit hospices in the region to help them care for pediatric patients. Dr. Matt collaborates with providers in Fort Wayne and the Chicago area, advising their teams on care for children with serious advanced illnesses.

Together, we can ensure that no child with a life-limiting illness in our community has to do it alone. Your support helps Center for Hospice Care reach more children in need.

Click here to support pediatric hospice and palliative care.