We are thrilled to welcome Emily Merkel as our very first My Little Waiting Room summer intern! Emily received a competitive $2,000 grant from Barnard Alumni Association to underwrite her work for My Little Waiting Room this summer.
Emily is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy High School in Portland, Oregon. She has just completed her third undergraduate year of studies at Barnard College in New York City. She brings a background in pre-med and public health experience, including public health volunteer work in India, to our organization.
She will be a great help as we get our organization and our first location up and running!
My Little Waiting Room Receives Major Funding Pledge from Bright Starts®
We are thrilled to have received a $23,000 pledge from Bright Starts®, a registered brand of Kids II, Inc., a leading baby brand!
Bright Starts will also donate infant toys and gear to equip the first My Little Waiting Room site. PLUS, they are featuring Amy and our project in a national ad in the May and June issues of American Baby magazine and the June issue of Parents magazine. This is all a result of Amy’s family friend Jennifer Snyder nominating her to be one of eight “Pink Power Moms” in the nation last year.
If YOU know of a mom who deserves recognition for her inspirational fight against breast cancer, and a chance to receive a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer charity of her choosing, nominate her at www.pinkpowermom.com.
Bright Starts will also donate infant toys and gear to equip the first My Little Waiting Room site. PLUS, they are featuring Amy and our project in a national ad in the May and June issues of American Baby magazine and the June issue of Parents magazine. This is all a result of Amy’s family friend Jennifer Snyder nominating her to be one of eight “Pink Power Moms” in the nation last year.
If YOU know of a mom who deserves recognition for her inspirational fight against breast cancer, and a chance to receive a $5,000 donation to the breast cancer charity of her choosing, nominate her at www.pinkpowermom.com.
My Little Waiting Room To Benefit From MOMS Club of Gresham Fundraising Event!
The MOMS Club of Gresham is holding its 5th annual scrapbook fundraiser Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at The First Baptist Church, 224 W. Powell Blvd in Gresham, Oregon. 100% of the money raised goes to My Little Waiting Room and West Women & Children Shelter. Tickets cost $10.00 pre-event or $12.00 day of event at the door. A light breakfast and lunch are provided. Door prizes will be given out every hour. There will be a silent auction and lots of raffle baskets. Reserve your spot today by calling Grace Grange, club Vice President, Cell -503-481-2847 OR Home -503-630-1919. Seating is limited.
My Little Waiting Room is honored to be a recipient of this fundraiser. Thank you MOMS Club of Gresham!
My Little Waiting Room is honored to be a recipient of this fundraiser. Thank you MOMS Club of Gresham!
My Little Waiting Room on KATU!
My Little Waiting Room was profiled by KATU Channel 2 as part of their Everday Heroes series. Read about it and watch the news clip at:
www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container
Thanks to anchorman Steve Dunn, executive producer Tracey Lam, and their team for telling our story in words and pictures so beautifully and even better than we can!
www.katu.com/news/39678477.html#idc-container
Thanks to anchorman Steve Dunn, executive producer Tracey Lam, and their team for telling our story in words and pictures so beautifully and even better than we can!
Who We Are
MY LITTLE WAITING ROOM™ is a non-profit started by a couple of Portland moms who have the dream to bring drop-in child care to the hospital.
Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of families by bringing drop-in child care to the hospital according to the My Little Waiting Room Child's Bill of Rights:
1. As a child, I deserve competent care while my family member seeks medical attention.
2. As a child, I have the right to keep learning and growing socially, emotionally and intellectually while my family members take care of their health.
3. As a child, I deserve help managing the stress caused in my life by my family's medical situation.
4. As a child, I need sanctuary and a place to call my own where I can seek peace, friendship and security while my family members are treated medically.
The idea was born out of Amy's experience (please see details below) and is about to become a reality in early 2009. We look forward to sharing the exciting details soon. If you have questions, please contact us at info@mylittlewaitingroom.org.
Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of families by bringing drop-in child care to the hospital according to the My Little Waiting Room Child's Bill of Rights:
1. As a child, I deserve competent care while my family member seeks medical attention.
2. As a child, I have the right to keep learning and growing socially, emotionally and intellectually while my family members take care of their health.
3. As a child, I deserve help managing the stress caused in my life by my family's medical situation.
4. As a child, I need sanctuary and a place to call my own where I can seek peace, friendship and security while my family members are treated medically.
The idea was born out of Amy's experience (please see details below) and is about to become a reality in early 2009. We look forward to sharing the exciting details soon. If you have questions, please contact us at info@mylittlewaitingroom.org.
NW Kids magazine 11.08
My Little Waiting Room, Jessica Davis, editor
Portland mother Amy Paterson was just 34 with a three year old, and battling cancer. She faced 144 medical appointments last year alone, meaning she had to arrange child care 144 times before she could begin to heal.
This ordeal prompted her to join forces with Melissa Moore to create My Little Waiting Room, a project dedicated to creating low-cost, on-site, clean and safe child care in medical facilities. The lack of such childcare is surprising; after all, you can find it at Fred Meyer, many gyms, and Ikea!
My Little Waiting Room is just getting off the ground and is searching for the serious funding needed to make this a reality. Things look promising thus far — Amy has just been named one of eight “2008 Pink Power Moms” in the nation by toymaker Bright Starts. She is one of seven women across the country “who has displayed amazing strength as a breast cancer survivor, fighting for a cure.” As part of this award, Kids II Foundation and Bright Starts will donate $1,000 to help open the first My Little Waiting Room to help mothers make — and keep — their important medical appointments.
The Oregonian, 8.28.2008
Cancer diagnosis spurs acts of giving back
By Jenn Director Knudsen, Special to The Oregonian
Diagnosed two years ago with Stage 3 breast cancer, Amy Paterson traipsed to nearly 150 medical visits: chemotherapy, radiation, a double mastectomy, physical therapy, an exercise study, nutrition consultations and more.
A young public relations professional, Paterson could put the job on hold. But not the care of son, Jonah, just 21/2.
Paterson had her husband and a stable of supportive friends and family. But what about women -- any ailing parent, for that matter -- with no support system?
She knew studies show that women caregivers often delay or avoid medical visits because they lack child care. She discovered that Ikea, Fred Meyer, some movie theaters, the Multnomah County court system, the Southwest Community Center and other places offer on-site child care. But not one local medical facility did.
So Paterson and friend Melissa Moore, with the help of a $5,000 award from the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, developed My Little Waiting Room, a program to provide low-cost, on-site, clean and safe child care for kids 11 and younger in any medical facility. It's set to become a nonprofit in December.
Paterson, 36, is one of a growing number of young people who, once finished with cancer treatment, are compelled and energized to make a difference for others.
"We're now looking at cancer as a chronic disease instead of a death sentence," said Selma Annala, supervisor of Cancer Integrative and Support Services with Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center in Northwest Portland. She's worked with cancer patients for more than 20 years.
"Cancer has a huge emotional impact," Annala said. "It's a lifelong thing, and that brings about the reason for someone to use (his or her) cancer experience to give back," she said.
(rest of article online)
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