UNC Children’s Hospital Fundraiser

Hi! My name is Ryan Burke, and I am a first year student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the past three years, I have held annual fundraisers for UNC Children’s Hospital to provide Pop-Tarts and Starbucks gift cards for patients and their families after l learned that food insecurity was increasing due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, food insecurity continues to increase among the patient population, and I want to help the patients and their families! Until Friday, December 15th, I will be collecting money to go toward individual $5 Starbucks gift cards and boxes of Pop-Tarts for UNC Children’s Hospital.

Amy Sangvai, LCSW MSW from the University of North Carolina Hospitals - Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center shared the following about the impact of previous fundraisers:

"Effective treatment for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) involves strict adherence to medication regimens, time consuming treatments, and access to enough food. It is recommended that children with CF consume twice as many calories as their healthy peers leading to improved weight gain, better lung function, and better survival.

Food insecurity (FI), the lack of consistent access to affordable, nutritious food, poses a significant challenge for families living with CF. The financial burden of living with CF, coupled with factors such as underemployment, inadequate insurance, high treatment costs, increased caloric needs, and lack of public programs to fully meet their needs, elevates the risk of FI.

Recent economic challenges, including unemployment, rising inflation, and expiration of COVID-19 pandemic-era interventions have further exacerbated the need for food assistance, pushing the FI rate in our clinic to over 45%.

While families attempt to make their limited funds last longer, some strategies may compromise a child’s health, such as foregoing doctor-recommended foods; choosing between essential needs like food, gas, rent, or utilities; parents going without food so their child with CF can eat; taking less medication than prescribed or not taking it at all; delaying medical care.

Rising fuel prices, influenced by inflation, have affected transportations costs to medical appointments, contributing to an increase in missed appointments in our clinic due to gas affordability issues. It is understandable given a substantial number of our families drive more than 200-mile roundtrip however it is no less concerning as postponing or forgoing medical care leads to exacerbations, hospitalizations, and poor outcomes for children with CF. Parents have had to make impossible decisions like choosing between filling their gas tank to get to clinic or filling their grocery cart. Our wish is that they would never need to make these decisions.

Children with CF and their parents are 2-3 times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, or both when compared to the general population. These rates may be intensified by FI. Those experiencing FI often report feeling embarrassment, shame and guilt when discussing their struggles to access enough food.

Acknowledging these challenges, we express deep gratitude for Ryan and his multi-year Pop-Tarts and Starbucks Fundraiser, which has positively impacted 80% of our patients and families over the past year. The following are just a few examples of the meaningful moments made possible through this initiative.

Impactful Moments

Navigating the First Clinic Visit:

Sleep deprived parents of newborns suspected of having CF embark on an emotionally charged day at UNC. Navigating parking, hospital locations, and tests and meeting members of the care team for educations can be overwhelming. Providing Starbucks cards has eased this experience allowing parents a moment of respite to grab a coffee and return with more stamina to finish the visit.

Empowering the Youngest of Patients:

Pop-Tarts or a treat from Starbucks have helped soothe, distract, and reward children who are anxious from undergoing regular swabs, needlesticks, and blood draws during clinic visit.

Empowering Teenage Patients:

Starbucks cards have validated the efforts of teenagers managing a rigorous CF regimen and school commitments, introducing a sense of normalcy into their clinic visits.

College students, well past the age of enjoying stickers and coloring books, rarely have funds available for the hospital cafeteria or Starbucks. They have been thrilled to receive Pop-Tarts and Starbucks and shared that they’ve helped keep them awake and focused during clinic visits.

Replenishing after a Fast:

Pop-Tarts and Starbucks snacks have provided quick options to replenish needed calories, especially for children undergoing fasting tests like Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests. This has been especially important for those without resources for the cafeteria.

Human Connection in Emergency Situations:

Providing Pop-Tarts or Starbucks cards in emergencies has offered sustenance, comfort, and a bit of normalcy for emotionally and physically exhausted families navigating difficult situations in the emergency room or inpatient unit. When parents have had to leave the bedside to return to work or to return home to care for other children, we have found that bringing Pop-Tarts or a cake pop to a patient when visiting has helped alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Supporting Diverse Travel Challenges:

Data has shown that UNC Pediatric CF Center serves patients across the state of NC, including a substantial number who live more than 100 miles from our hospital. Some families travel distances from as far away as the beach, mountains, or neighboring states. Many families spend all their resources on gas and have none left over for food. Pop-Tarts and Starbucks cards have been appreciated by families traveling long distances to the clinic, helping them stay alert and nourished during their visit and return journey.

Filling Nutritional Gaps for Food Insecure Patients:

Food-insecure patients missing school meals during clinic visits is a common challenge. Providing Pop-Tarts and Starbucks cards have played a vital role in providing nutrition that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Stress and Mental Health:

Inflation-related financial pressures contribute to stress and anxiety, which can have negative effects on overall mental health. Walking with a child to Starbucks has allowed parents to remain in clinic to freely discuss stressors with their providers and receive support and resources.

Gratitude and Collaboration

Collaborating with community partners like Ryan and receiving generous donations has filled crucial gaps in our mission. We extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in supporting our cause. As we continue to navigate these challenging times, your contributions make a tangible difference in the lives of CF patients and their families. Join us in our mission to provide not only nutrition but also moments of comfort and normalcy amidst the complexities of CF care."