Home / Health / Project Balloon Lifts Spirits of Young Patients
Project Balloon Lifts Spirits of Young Patients
7 Feb
Summary
- Project Balloon delivers balloons and cards to children's bedsides.
- The program aims to comfort children who may feel alone.
- Initial funding of $10,000 was raised from donors and churches.
WVU Medicine Golisano Children's has launched Project Balloon, an initiative designed to bring cheer to young patients. This program allows hospital providers and Child Life staff to send a balloon and a get-well card directly to a child's bedside.
The program was created by Aaron Houser, executive director of Growing Up Greene, inspired by his son's hospital stay. Seeing the impact of balloons on his son's recovery, Houser noticed many children lacked such comforts and visitors.
Project Balloon aims to combat feelings of loneliness among inpatients, particularly those from Greene County, which has a high number of outpatient and inpatient visits to the children's hospital. The initiative ensures these children know they are not alone during their treatment.
Significant community support has funded the program. Project Balloon raised $10,000 from private donors and Greene County churches. First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County has also pledged additional donations to sustain the program, with future contributions based on the program's first-year performance.
