MetaVisions: Legacy in Motion
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The Need
Shands Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Team has indicated that there is a major gap in supports and services for their adolescent and young adult or "AYA" populations being served in their pediatric units. Adolescents and young adults are treated in the pediatric units because there are no adult specialists for the cancers they are diagnosed with. MetaVisions discovered that there were 49 AYA patients who fell within the age range of 15-26 years old from the Big Bend Region being treated for solid tumor cancers in the pedatric cancer unit at Shands. The majority of these patients have low rates of survival and most have to ultimately face an end of life reality, which is the resource gap MetaVisions has chosen to step into. We are supporting their Quality of Life programming with our initiative,
Legacy in Motion.
Our Approach
After hearing from the Shands Pediatric Hematology & Oncology team, MetaVisions decided to focus on three major areas of support, where there are currently little to no supports.
The 3 initiative areas of support are the following:
- Emergency needs or "Legacy Lifelines"
- Core memory experiences or "Legacy Adventures"
- End of life plans or "Legacy Wishes".
Referrals are initiated by the social worker for this population. Patients must be from the Big Bend Region, within the ages of 15-26, and currently being treated or followed for solid tumor cancers on the pediatric floor at Shands.
Our Partners
As referrals come in, board members and leadership review the asks. If approved, we partner with a variety of organizations, individuals, and businesses in our community to support, coordinate, and accomplish the legacy asks the best we can. It takes a village!
Legacy in Motion Partner Highlight:
Bevis Funeral Home & Crematory (Funeral services, Cremations)
Sandcastle Kids (Will serve 15-18 year olds as requested)