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Hats On For Children's Palliative Care

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By Esha Soni '24

On Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, the College of Health hosted an event to promote awareness for children in need of palliative care from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the STEPS Lawn. 

The International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) (https://www.icpcn.org/) is a worldwide network of individuals and agencies working with children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They advocate for children’s palliative care to be acknowledged and respected as a unique discipline within health care systems and provided by suitably trained and qualified people to all children with incurable or life-threatening conditions and their families, regardless of where they live in the world.

To show awareness, participants have their picture taken wearing a funny hat and post it on social media with #hatson4cpc. An assortment of hats and snacks were provided by event organizers.  

Professor Sean Daley, an associate professor in the College of Health, led the planning for Lehigh’s first-ever event of this kind and was pleased with the day’s turnout. Approximately 65 students, faculty and staff stopped by on a beautiful sunny Friday to show their support and take a photo with a hat. 

Caitlin Haas’22 who majored in behavioral neuroscience, works with Daley through the Institute for Indigenous Studies, which is associated with the College of Health. Through this, they are working with the Lehigh Valley Health Network, on research projects focused on demonstrating the need for pediatric palliative care (PPC) in the Lehigh Valley. Through their work, Haas came to understand how vital it is for the management of chronic illness. She said, “I was happy to be part of this event through the College of Health - it's crazy to think that something as simple as wearing a hat and posting a picture on social media can help, but the first step in expanding PPC is raising awareness and gathering resources, so thank you to everyone who was a part of it!”

Dakota Feldman ‘24, a student in the College of Health who participated in the event said, “I think it’s a super great idea for a great cause. I know it can hit home for a lot of people and overall just a really good creative idea approaching awareness at Lehigh U.”