A special message from Katie: 
 
My name is Katie.  In May of 2004, when I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with Leukemia.  During the 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy I received, I had many admissions to the hospital.  Children with cancer and other serious and life threatening illnesses are often admitted more than once, and sometimes the stay can be for a long time.  

When this happens, the parents must buy all of their meals, and make long distance calls to tell the rest of the family what is going on. The sick child’s immediate family might not live together, so a parent might need help with the cost of getting to the hospital. Since my family is fortunate to live close to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, we were able to bring food from home, but that is not always the case.  Many families come from far away.   

My mom and Dad met a family whose daughter had been in the hospital for 200 days in a single year! They were so kind and supportive of us, even though we had only been there for 10 days, that we decided the way to help was by establishing Katie's Helping Hand.

Through Katie's Helping Hand, a parent can order a meal from the menu provided in the child's hospital room.  The meal is delivered right to the room so that they do not have to leave their child.  The cost of the meal (a flat $5.00 fee) is billed directly to the charity, and the parent pays nothing. 

Together, we can make a difference in people's lives when they need it most.

To read my story, click the following link: Katie's Story.

To view a presentation in pdf format, click the following: Katie's Helping Hand Presentation.    

Please help me to give them a helping hand. 

How do I donate?
You can give online through a secure credit card transaction. Click here to make a contribution using the secure online gift form.  After you enter your information, scroll down to the General category and insert your contribution amount into the “Other” box and list it as “VCH - Katie's Helping Hand.”

To mail in your donation, please make your check payable to “VCH – Katie’s Helping Hand” and mail to:

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Katie's Helping Hand
Vanderbilt Gift Processing Office
PMB 407727
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7727

Where will my money go?  
To families of patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.  The money can be used for meals, long distance phone cards, etc. Katie’s only request was that money NOT be used for alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs.
 
How will money be distributed? 
The Nursing staff will have access to these funds and will distribute to families in need at their discretion.
 
Will the donations and expenditures be monitored? 
Yes. The donations will be included in the monthly financial statement that is reviewed and monitored by hospital management and the Department of Finance.  

Is this donation tax deductible? If so, how do I get a receipt?
Yes it is tax deductible.  Once a donation is received, Vanderbilt will mail a receipt.
 
Will Katie know that I have made a donation?  
You can post a message on her website, www.caringbridge.com/tn/katievacantimitchell.