Santa Barbara, CA, August 2015 — Hospice of Santa Barbara (HSB) and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) are teaming up to bring bereavement services to families who have experienced the loss of a child from cancer, the two nonprofits announced today. By partnering together, these two organizations will be providing a seamless support system to those families impacted by childhood cancer.
A volunteer hospice organization, HSB provides for the physical, social, emotional and spiritual suffering of those impacted by serious illness or grieving the death of a loved one. Through the new partnership, TBCF will be referring families to HSB for individual and group counseling following the death of a child.
“Losing a child may seem like an unimaginable loss for many, but there are families living through this nightmare each day,” HSB CEO David Selberg said. “We’ve admired the work Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation has done to support children with cancer as well as their families, and we’re proud to join their efforts by providing their families with guidance and support to cope with these tragic circumstances.”
Founded in 2002, TBCF works to provide support to families of children diagnosed with cancer in the Tri-Counties. TBCF is able to provide family with financial assistance for critical needs, such as help paying rent, as well as emotional support with programs such as family support groups.
“We are pleased to move into a new partnership with Hospice of Santa Barbara to expand our support to families affected by childhood cancer,” said Lindsey Leonard, TBCF Executive Director. “Through this partnership, we are confident that we will be able to reach more families and provide the much-needed emotional support when facing the loss of a child.”
About Hospice of Santa Barbara
Hospice of Santa Barbara is a nonprofit organization that “volunteers” its free professional counseling and care management services to children and adults who are experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness, or grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice of Santa Barbara is also present on area school campuses to work with children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org. Find Hospice of Santa Barbara on Facebook and Twitter.
About Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization providing financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. Services are providing to families that have a child diagnosed with cancer up to age 18 and continue until they reach 21 years of age. In 2014, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation provided services to 649 individuals. For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org or call (805) 962-7466.