The Pediatric Oncology Ward at the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Turin, Italy has been providing care to children with serious illnesses for over 50 years. Established in 1971, the ward includes a Stem-Cell Transplant Unit that has been saving young lives since 1989. Bone-marrow transplants, also known as stem-cell transplants, are commonly used to treat certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma. Each year, the doctors at the Stem-Cell Transplant Unit perform about 30 stem-cell transplants and receive referrals for over 150 pediatric patients to the Oncology Department.
Recognizing the need for improvement, District 108-IA3 Lions decided to upgrade the visitor space for the brave children undergoing stem-cell transplants, in hopes of making their experience as smooth and supportive as possible.
The journey these children embark on while undergoing transplants is both intense and daunting. During this vulnerable time, a child must stay in isolation for 30 to 40 days to protect them from infection. Only one adult is allowed to stay with them, and other people may only visit through a windowed gallery using an audio communication system. This is how the children receive visitors and even school lessons during their isolation.
Until recently, the communication system was outdated, frequently out of service and offered very little privacy, which made receiving visitors and educational instruction unnecessarily difficult. In addition, the viewing gallery tended to be very uncomfortable as the sun directly hit the windows, which could not be opened, leading to the space overheating. This was not an ideal setup for the pediatric cancer patients and their families. Recognizing the need for improvement, District 108-IA3 Lions decided to upgrade the visitor space for the brave children undergoing stem-cell transplants, in hopes of making their experience as smooth and supportive as possible.
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) awarded District 108-IA3 Lions a Childhood Cancer Grant of US$21,659 and a District and Club Community Impact Grant (DCG) of US$3,000 to bring this project to fruition. Over 15 Lions clubs in the district have participated in collecting funds, totaling US$13,000, for the project and the district has made a commitment to continuing support for the Pediatric Oncology Ward.
The project included installing five updated intercom systems for each of the five patient-visitor viewing spaces to enhance clear communication and privacy. Additionally, a solar protective film was applied to the windows to eliminate overheating, and a refrigerator was purchased for storing visitors’ refreshments, all designed to improve the comfort of the space.
One parent described the difference this space made for her daughter saying, "My daughter confided she was sad about not being able to attend school lessons during her treatment. The doctors reassured her that she could follow the lessons through a separate isolation gallery with a glass barrier and audio system. Furthermore, she would be able to receive visits from her brother, grandparents and close friends. She immediately felt better."
Approximately 180 people annually will benefit from these upgrades, including patients, families, friends and educators. These outcomes reflect the power of grant-funded service projects for entire communities. As Lions and Leos continue to act with compassion, LCIF will advance their efforts through meaningful grant opportunities and expand the number of beneficiaries Lions are able to serve around the world.
Visit lionsclubs.org/GrantsToolkit to explore different types of grants and to learn which one will be most effective for your club’s next project.
Shelby Washington is the content specialist at Lions Clubs International Foundation.
