In May, 2023, VRforHealth announced a pioneering, collaborative VR pediatric initiative, called the VR 4 Kids Pilot Program, providing greater access to VR by an underserved pediatric cancer population, and inspiring a unique avenue for healing, joy, and hope.
This pilot, spearheaded by VRforHealth co-founder, Beth Savoldelli, was designed to illustrate the power of collaboration to effect positive change from the ground up. Notably, it’s made possible through a unique collaboration with Michigan non-profit Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids– founded by their extraordinary CEO Maggie Varney. As the pilot comes to a close, we invite you to read on for the heartwarming results and full story of this program which will launch expanded efforts in 2024, in an independent initiative, XR Impact Network, a new company founded by Beth Savoldelli.
At Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, we believe in the transformative power of patient support, compassion, and healing. The VR 4 Kids Pilot Program exemplifies our commitment to providing innovative, holistic support to children facing health challenges, and we are thrilled to witness the positive impact it has on our VR program participants.” – Maggie Varney, Founder, CEO of Maggie’s Wigs 4
In the heart of Michigan, something extraordinary is happening at Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, led by Founder and CEO Maggie Varney. For 20 years, over 5,000 children referred from 8 Michigan hospitals have come to receive a wide range of wellness support services needed beyond in-clinic care— at no charge.
This year, thanks to a collaborative VR pediatric initiative, born at VRforHealth, a new VR 4 Kids Pilot Program has enabled the center to extend their valuable services to include VR— a cutting-edge technology solution.
Specifically, the VR 4 Kids Program is tailored to the unique needs of each child—offering a transformative escape into a world of imagination and wonder for participants. From immersive adventures to therapeutic landscapes, these virtual reality experiences are enhancing the healing process in ways unimaginable before.
Program participants express increased levels of happiness, reduced anxiety, and a renewed sense of hope. Families report a positive shift in the overall quality of life for their young ones, underscoring the significance of an untapped opportunity that exists for VR in the healing process.
The project is powered by partnerships new and existing of VRforHealth, including nonprofits 18Loop and The American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO), as well as VR technology partners: Cleanbox Technology, TRIPP, Inc., Little Seed, among others.
“…When we got involved with VR for pediatric cancer four years ago, we had a vision of what success would look like. Working with this team, we are realizing our ambitions for the technology and achieving at a level that would not be possible working alone. In partnership with the American Childhood Cancer Organization, we are so excited to work together to continue to exceed expectations in this effort to deliver #techforgood.” Greg Tarnacki, CEO 18Loop
Why are we doing this?
In the state of Michigan, there are over 500 newly diagnosed cases of children with cancer each year. The children MW4K serve, face long hospital stays, isolation from peers, and many painful procedures. There has been a long-standing need to reduce fear associated with treatment and improve pain management while in the hospital and at home. Through this project, we aimed to explore how VR can assist an underserved pediatric cancer patient population, improving health equity through greater access to VR technology and empower participants with a tool to support them where and when they need it most.
Project Goal
From the start, our goal has been clear: to improve the health and well-being of children served at MW4K, our client, including those facing pediatric cancer, by evaluating the qualitative impact through managing valuable feedback and metrics— of best-fit virtual reality wellness and therapeutic Partner solutions for a minimum of 6 months.
Results/Achievements Include:
The success of the VR 4 Kids Program is not confined to Michigan. It stands as a testament to the potential of replicating other custom, collaborative VR initiatives in other states and beyond. In the U.S alone, approximately 9,910 children under the age of 15 and 300,000 worldwide, receive cancer diagnoses annually, illustrating how much work remains to be done. To that end, in January, 2024, a focused entity devoted specifically to supporting and expanding the Michigan program and developing future projects and partnerships like it, will launch. Contact beth@xrimpactnetwork.com for more information.
“The collaborative spirit that fueled this project is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together for a common cause. Virtual reality has opened new doors for healing, and we are excited about the potential for similar initiatives to blossom through our work” –
Beth Savoldelli, Cofounder VRforHealth and VR 4 Kids Program Project Lead
This article was originally published on vrforhealth