Idea acf2928:

The Therapeutic Clown Program

Posted November 2, 2009

• Posted by: Devorah Jacobs
• Organization: Sick Kids
• Location: 555 University Avenue toronto
• Category: Support Youth
• Cost: Big ($50,000 – $250,000)

You Can Vote Once A Day! So Please Come Back and Vote Tomorrow!!! Your one vote CAN make ad difference.

Established in 1993, The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids provides patients and families with therapeutic clown care, using spontaneous humour and gentle play to minimize stress during hospitalization and treatment. Working under the umbrella of the hospital’s Department of Child Life, therapeutic clowns collaborate closely with Child Life Specialists, and other members of the multi-professional team to develop therapeutic strategies within the model of family-centered care.

Clowning is an innovative and effective form of therapy and like laughter is contagious. Therapeutic clowning can be a vital part of a child’s recovery. On a daily basis, therapeutic clowns demonstrate that laughter may just be the best medicine.

The Therapeutic Clown Program at SickKids provides approximately 10 000 patient visits per year. A. Leboo, Bunky, Clutter, Doko, Lubee, Mary Sunshine, Mosca, Nuula, Roo, Rose and Tushkin visit patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on in-patient floors 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and in out-patient clinics.

This unique program relies solely on the generous donations of caring individuals, foundations and corporations. We receive no funding from the operating budget of the hospital. The program relies on its’ own annual fundraising initiatives.

For more information please visit: http://www.sickkids.ca/ProgramsandServices/Therapeutic-Clown-Program/index.html

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  A patient with one of our clowns
  
  November 2, 2009 @ 8:27 PM

  
  
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  See How These Clowns Make A Difference!
  
  November 5, 2009 @ 11:40 AM

  
  
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  These are the children that these clowns help
  Although it is located in the hospital they don't recieve alot of government funding. Please help support the amazing people by voting. You never no if your child, sister, brother, cousin or friend will need this clowns to give the the will to survive!
  November 5, 2009 @ 11:45 AM

  
  

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Only most recent 1,000 comments are shown.

• 123

  This is such a wonderful program, I am keeping all of the children and patients at Sick Kids and all hospitals in my thoughts and prayers with all my heart and soul.
  November 2, 2009 @ 9:11 PM EST

  
  

• debooshniac4

  Way to Go! these clowns hav helped through some rough patches and they deserve the credit! they've got my vote
  November 3, 2009 @ 1:11 AM EST

  
  

• Mr.Lobo

  Our baby girl (4 months old) loves the clowns! She can't get enough of them. Here' wishing this idea all the success during the competition. The clowns work and a big thank you from the full family.
  November 3, 2009 @ 3:54 PM EST

  
  

• amarone1004

  I work at SickKids and everytime I see a clown it makes me smile - I see them playing with the kids and they are truly a wonderful gift.
  November 3, 2009 @ 4:19 PM EST

  
  

• Sunny Soleil

  I clown at a hospital in Winnipeg and children, parents and staff know the difference a clown makes to the hospital or clinic experience. Sick Kids is a model of therapeutic clowning at its best in this country and richly deserves your support.
  November 3, 2009 @ 5:54 PM EST

  
  

• 6g78h

  This is the best program! You should all vote everyday for it!
  November 3, 2009 @ 8:06 PM EST

  
  

• captainj

  A marvelous program for wonderful patients.
  November 3, 2009 @ 8:15 PM EST

  
  

• djsparks

  thank god we have programs like this! nice job
  November 3, 2009 @ 8:50 PM EST

  
  

• tty

  best thereputic clowns in the buisness!
  November 3, 2009 @ 9:04 PM EST

  
  

• girlll

  what a wonderful orginisation deticating there lives to make others smile. thank you so much for all of your hard work.
  November 3, 2009 @ 9:18 PM EST

  
  

• jesse

  thank you
  November 3, 2009 @ 9:22 PM EST

  
  

• tippy

  God Bless!
  November 3, 2009 @ 11:16 PM EST

  
  

• rock

  hey vote for this cause!
  November 3, 2009 @ 11:19 PM EST

  
  

• heyyy

  i would just to like to say that these clowns have helped my daughter through an enormously difficult time and that you should all know how amazing and influential to lives they really are. I don't know anyone who would deserve the money more.
  November 3, 2009 @ 11:25 PM EST

  
  

• debooshniac

  Thank you so much for being so supportive everyone!
  November 3, 2009 @ 11:28 PM EST

  
  

• mary kay

  As a board member of AATH (Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor), I am proud to support the Therapeutic Clown Program. Thank you for all you do.
  November 4, 2009 @ 8:23 AM EST

  
  

• nikki2105

  This is an amazing program and they deserve all the support they can get. Vote!!
  November 4, 2009 @ 9:46 AM EST

  
  

• bald

  great cause---hope you win!!
  November 4, 2009 @ 10:39 AM EST

  
  

• Butterfly

  Hello I am Butterfly the Therapeutic clown at the QE2 hospital in Grande Prairie and I have seen first hand the joy this program his brought to many Children as well as Adults in hospitals across Canada and the US. IF you win or loss I know this program is great! And in the hearts of many we have given a smile and received a smile. Well worth it.!
  November 4, 2009 @ 5:07 PM EST

  
  

• edgeofasmile

  Therapeutic Clowns are cherished in all of our children's hospitals in Canada and around the world. We need more of them in all healthcare facilities.
  November 4, 2009 @ 5:28 PM EST

  
  

• Patricia

  A wonderful program, it brings smiles to the children who are going through a very difficult time .
  November 4, 2009 @ 9:27 PM EST

  
  

• Keith

  This program provides amazing support to children at a very difficult time. The clowns amuse, motivate, and reach out to all the children they come in contact with each and every day. We should all have red noses and big feet!!
  November 5, 2009 @ 9:08 AM EST

  
  

• dawnie

  What a wonderful program started by the sensational Joan Barrington and continuing today with so many fabulous new clowns. Everyone should vote for this great program.
  November 5, 2009 @ 2:29 PM EST

  
  

• ro_jo

  An amazing program, and it deserves this amazing prize! please vote!
  November 5, 2009 @ 7:05 PM EST

  
  

• sarah o

  DJ!!!! You rock!
  November 5, 2009 @ 7:25 PM EST

  
  

• Craig

  Clutter does a great job with our child when we are in for treatments
  November 6, 2009 @ 5:49 AM EST

  
  

• Mr.Lobo

  I believe the The Therapeutic Clown Program is like sucrose (sugar water) that has shown to make the pain go away! Thank you for all your great work. A spoonful of sugar makes the ‘pain go away’ http://www.sickkids.ca/aboutsickkids/news-room/past-news/2009/sweet-solution-for-pain-relief.html
  November 6, 2009 @ 10:03 AM EST

  
  

• ronnieronron

  This is a great program with great people, let's keep it going! - Ron Sparks
  November 6, 2009 @ 3:23 PM EST

  
  

• lenore

  An amazing and innovative program that deserves your vote!
  November 6, 2009 @ 9:50 PM EST

  
  

• cherries

  the most wonderful program ever
  November 8, 2009 @ 8:00 PM EST

  
  

• ahuvag172

  this is an amazing program!! good luck!!
  November 8, 2009 @ 10:43 PM EST

  
  

• Willow

  Blessed Be! Happiness & Laughter...illness cannot exist in a body that has harmonious thoughts!
  November 18, 2009 @ 1:12 PM EST

  
  

• purple

  Good luck! We're rooting for you!
  November 18, 2009 @ 5:10 PM EST

  
  

• ady

  I have seen the therapeutic impact of Clowning with seniors as well. I hope this emerging organization gets all the recognition it deserves and I definitively hope it wins!!
  November 18, 2009 @ 10:46 PM EST

  
  

• Margalit

  This really is such an amazing cause and definitely deserves the awareness and funds to help it prosper! Keep up the great work!
  November 24, 2009 @ 11:09 PM EST