Running a marathon is no easy feat, but for Mena Wahezi, it’s more than just a physical challenge. It’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of sick children at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) in the Bronx, New York. As a champion for CHAM, Mena is focused on raising funds for CHAM’s Quality in Life Team (QUILT), which provides palliative care and support for patients and families facing life-threatening and fatal illnesses.
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The Importance of Palliative Care
Palliative care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness. It addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It provides support to help patients and families cope with the challenges of a life-threatening or fatal diagnosis.
At CHAM, the QUILT team comprises palliative care experts who work with patients and families to navigate medical decisions and offer support as they face the uncertainty of serious illness. The team provides various services, including pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual support, and end-of-life care.
One of the unique aspects of QUILT is its supportive contact program. Due to infection control issues, some patients may be unable to have a family member present during their hospital stay. QUILT provides supportive contact for these patients, ensuring they are not alone during this difficult time.
The Impact of Fundraising
Fundraising is an essential part of supporting palliative care services like QUILT. These services often fall outside traditional insurance coverage, and philanthropic support is critical to ensuring that patients and families receive the care and support they need.
For Mena, fundraising for CHAM is a way to make a tangible impact in the lives of sick children and their families. “I’ve always been passionate about helping others, and I believe every child deserves access to quality healthcare,” she says. “By running in the marathon and raising funds for CHAM, I can help ensure that children and families facing serious illness have the support they need to navigate this difficult journey.”
Mena’s Training and Preparation
Preparing for a marathon is a rigorous process that requires months of training and dedication. For Mena, it’s a challenge she’s ready to take on. She’s been balancing training with family and career responsibilities.
In preparation for the CHAM marathon, Mena has been following a strict training regimen that includes running several times a week and cross-training with activities like yoga and strength training. She’s also been working closely with a coach to ensure she’s on track with her training and staying injury-free.
“I know that running a marathon is a big challenge, but it’s nothing compared to the daily challenges that sick children and their families face,” says Mena. “If I can use my passion for running to make a difference in their lives, it’s all worth it.”
Getting Involved
Supporting palliative care services like QUILT ensures that patients and families facing serious illness receive the care and support they need. If you’re interested in getting involved, there are several ways to support CHAM and its mission to provide quality healthcare to sick children.
You can help Mena Wahezi raise funds for the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) by donating on her JustGiving page. Mena is running in the CHAM marathon on November 5th, 2023. Every donation helps to support CHAM’s Quality in Life Team (QUILT), which provides palliative care and support for patients and families facing life-threatening and fatal illnesses. Your donation can make a tangible impact in the lives of sick children and their families, ensuring that they receive the care and support they need during this challenging journey. Why not make a difference today by supporting Mena and CHAM’s mission to provide quality healthcare to sick children?
Another way to get involved is to volunteer your time and skills. CHAM offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including working with patients and families, providing administrative support, and assisting with special events.
No matter how you get involved, your support can make a significant difference in sick children’s and their families lives.
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mena-Wahezi.
