The Care-for-Rare Foundation is an initiative that supports children with rare diseases and gives them hope for a cure. Following the motto recognize – understand – heal, it forms a bridge between doctors, scientists and patients and creates access to medical care, regardless of the ethnic, ideological, religious or financial background of those affected. Moving Child learned about the Child Life Specialists project at the Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital in Munich through the Care for Rare Foundation. Since March 2020, Moving Child has been funding two Child Life Specialists who provide psychological and social care for inpatient children at Dr. von Hauner’s Children’s Hospital, go with them to treatments when their parents cannot be present and are with the children in the recovery room, for example. In this way, the emotional health of the children can be maintained.

Hospital stays, operations and treatments are often frightening and unsettling for children, especially when their parents cannot be with them. It is very important to us that children can feel safe and secure, especially in difficult situations that can cause anxiety and even trauma. The work of the Child Life Specialists is very important and we are happy to be able to contribute to the well-being and healing of the children at Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital.