Bay Area Children's Hospice Hosts Forum on Healthcare Crisis for Seriously and Terminally Ill Children.

Pediatric Health Experts Brief Government Leaders on Care and Funding Crisis

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. -- George Mark Children's House (GMCH), the country's first and only home for seriously and terminally ill children and their families, today hosted the first Bay Area symposium of its kind to brief the area's leaders about Families in Crisis : Caring for Seriously and Terminally Ill Children.

The session included an audience of representatives from federal, state and local elected officials and healthcare leaders interested in learning about the issues faced by a family confronted with the impending loss of a child - emotionally, practically and financially. The session was designed to establish a conversation with these leaders about the current process for addressing the needs of these families through relief programs and collaborate on how California can emerge as a leader in children's healthcare reform in the future.

"California's current system for families with terminally and seriously ill children is a priority for reform," said State Senator Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro). "We have a great opportunity to implement changes and improve the necessary services our critically ill children receive."

Featured speakers included Dr. Marian Dalsey, Chief, Children's Medical Services, California Department of Health Services; Lori Butterworth and Devon Dabbs, Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors, Children's Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition; a panel of pediatric Palliative care experts comprising the Northern California Collaborative for Pediatric Palliative Care; with additional commentary by Judith Dunlop, program director at GMCH and John Golenski, executive director, GMCH.

A detailed agenda with session descriptions and panelist information can be found at: http://georgemark.org/www/initiatives/conferences/symposium.htm.

About GMCH

George Mark Children's House (http://www.georgemark.org) opened in the Bay Area in March 2004 to provide the best quality of care for seriously and terminally ill children and their families. GMCH offers free end-of-life, respite and transitional care to children and supports the whole family with practical, emotional and spiritual support. A pioneer in the United States, GMCH makes a difference in the lives of seriously and terminally ill children.