Chelsea Hicks Foundation
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Mission Statement
Because research shows that active therapeutic play can promote normal development and significantly reduce the psychological and physiological stress for children facing serious medical challenges, hospitals sometimes offer special programs that go beyond medical procedures to encourage healing of both body and spirit. CHF is an active partner in bringing hope and healing to Oregon children through therapeutic play in a medical setting. Chelsea’s Closet brings hope and healing to over 2,400 seriously ill children each year at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel from all over the state of Oregon. Chelsea's Closet has had such a lasting impact on the lives of patients, their families, and hospital staff which has prompted both hospitals to request an increase in program frequency and the possibility of expansion to other child-focused hospital programs. Our mission is to bring hope, a bit of silliness and smiles to as many seriously ill children as possible.
About This Cause
The Chelsea Hicks Foundation's mission is "When serious illness impacts a young person's childhood and a family's well-being, CHF's creative programs provide hope, support and opportunities to share special moments together and create memories to last a lifetime." To honor an AMAZING little girl who loved life, the Chelsea Hicks Foundation was founded in 2009 to bring imagination and play to seriously ill children. In April 2007, three-year-old Chelsea Hicks was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilms tumor cancer, involving her right kidney, lymph nodes and lungs. Despite this serious diagnosis, Chelsea's smiling face and zest for life was very contagious. While undergoing 22 months of treatment for childhood cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation and more than 18 surgeries, Chelsea loved playing dress-up with her family, friends and fellow patients when she was in the hospital. The pure joy of play and reminder of typical childhood days was therapeutic for her and everyone around her. During her time on the oncology floor, Chelsea especially loved to don her favorite sparkly costume, have tea parties with patients and staff, and dance around the unit leading parades of kids in colorful costumes. On February 20, 2009, Chelsea lost her courageous battle. She had just turned five years old. As a lasting legacy, the Chelsea Hicks Foundation was formed to bring hope and healing to seriously ill children. Provided in local children's hospitals for children from across the state, our signature program, Chelsea's Closet, is a dress-up and therapeutic play program that has grown to bring smiles to more 1,800 children each year. There may not be a cure for all childhood illnesses, but the goal of Chelsea's Closet is for every seriously ill child to Dance like Princesses and Fly like Superheroes while battling their disease.