Hugs of Hope Packages
It's the small things that feel like big things when a child is coping with a loved one with ALS. Our care packages offer a hug from afar, symbolizing love, comfort and support with custom toolkits thoughtfully designed for children on their ALS journeys.
3.4 million.
the number of children under the age of 18 who care for a loved one in the US, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving.
Children Caregivers:
The Role
Children who serve as caregivers for a loved one are a population we rarely talk about and that are, in many ways, underserved and under-understood. Did you know that:
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30% of child caregivers help with medications and 17% help their loved one communicate with doctors or nurses.
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49% of children caregivers share that they spend "a lot of time" doing caregiving activities.
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Children whom are caregivers exhibit more anxious or depressive behavior than their non-caregiving peers.
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Participation in school activities, school performances and academic achievement is also affected.
Hugs of Hope care packages are one of the many ways Hope Loves Company wraps children in comfort during an unimaginably difficult time. Each package is delivered completely free to a child who has or had a loved one with ALS. It contains items like age-appropriate books about ALS, a cozy HLC t-shirt, wristband, a handwritten note of encouragement, and an invitation to join our free programs like Camp HLC and our virtual support groups. Your donation makes these moments of comfort, connection, and understanding possible. With your support, we can continue offering Hugs of Hope and all HLC programs at no cost to the families who need them most.