Virtual Reality Goggles Serving Children Patients
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herapeutic play, including play therapy, child life therapy, recreation therapy, continues to serve children facing struggles in hospitals, a time when their situation is anything but normal. Years ago, therapeutic play involved wooden building blocks or a plastic stethoscope to help children understand and become more comfortable with the medical instruments. Because of increasing technology,ww it looks quite different today using computers and tablets.
make great improvements. On average, 2-3 patients per day utilize this tool and they only expect that number to increase. To illustrate the impact, here is a story shared by their team:
In the 2017-2018 fiscal year we provided a grant to one of the most innovative child life programs in the United States. Nominated by the Eta Pi chapter at Metro State University, the child life program at Children’s Hospital Colorado received a $2200 grant to support the purchase of Oculus virtual reality goggles and hand controls to be used as an effective distraction, anxiety relief and therapy tool.
“A patient in our behavior health program needed to have a blood draw, but found the idea of needles very anxiety and fear inducing. The day before during a similar poke, the patient was screaming, throwing things and required seven employees to restrain the patient for the procedure. Following this, the team tried virtual reality as a distraction. The Child Life Team brought in the Oculus and had the patient try a game during the procedure, and while the patient was still anxious the care team was able to complete the procedure with no yelling or physical outbursts. The care team reported that it was like night and day compared to when they attempted the procedure without the virtual reality.
Children’s Hospital Colorado utilizes the virtual reality goggles and hand controls with their patients and have seen them
On behalf of Children’s Colorado, our Child Life Team, and our patients, I send sincere gratitude to Tri Sigmas for their support of
the Oculus virtual reality goggles and handset. Tri Sigma has been a long time partner to our Child Life Team and we are continually grateful for the support, the innovative thinking and inspiration you provide.” Sigma Serves Children is our philanthropic initiative to benefit children’s health. The Robbie Page Memorial (RPM) Fund became our first national philanthropy in 1954 and each year the Foundation awards grants through the RPM Fund to deserving organizations who provide therapeutic play to children. The Foundation is able to help hundreds of children annually. Over $3 million granted to date through the RPM Fund.
New Year, New Opportunities
Violet Tributes
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Dear Sisters,
ore than 5,200 Violet Tributes have been shared so far during the 2016-2019 Triennium. This tradition of honoring sisters, empowering leaders, and demonstrating sisterly love has raised in less than three years over
Hello 2019! It’s an exciting time here at the Foundation. With Foundation volunteers working hard to award scholarships and RPM grants, Founders Day just around the corner and Convention this summer! We are just a little over a month away from Founders Day. Whether you attend a Founders Day event with your local chapter or have dinner with your closest Sigma sisters, I hope on April 20th you reflect on your love of sisterhood and celebrate the future of Tri Sigma. As we think about the future, I am looking forward to my first Convention this June! Tri Sigma’s 45th National Convention will be hosted June 28 - July 1, and the theme is The Power of Our Stories. The Foundation will be sharing even more stories of how you continue to impact our mission. And thanks to the generosity of so many, we are funding a program called Launchpad on Friday morning, granting Destination Sigma Scholarships for collegiate chapter delegates, and will be welcoming March of Dimes President Stacey Stewart as a special guest on Monday. You make our mission possible all year long and I cannot wait to show our appreciation for your continued support when we gather at Convention. The Foundation will be sharing with you special announcements, sending invitations to exclusive events and much more over the next few months. Stay tuned! If you have any questions about upcoming events like Founders Day or Convention, I am your resource. I look forward to serving you and bringing life to your philanthropic goals.
$26,000
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Often a $5 gift may feel small in the moment, but it’s not. For the Foundation, it can be difficult for staff to describe how one $5 gift is used, but when we look at the big picture, the generosity through Violet Tributes makes a significant impact. Each $5 gift is an unrestricted gift to the Foundation, which supports continued funding for Tri Sigma’s leadership and educational programs, plus philanthropy and service resources for our chapters. You can send a virtual Violet Tribute 365 days a year to any Tri Sigma including your big sis, little sis, advisor, mentor, or best friend. Plus, the tradition will continue at Convention in June. Visit convention.trisigma.org to see the list of current registered attendees to begin sending love today.
See you at Convention,
Founders Day
Megan Caldwell Director of Donor Engagement
Make your gift significant and meaningful this April to celebrate 121 years of our sisterhood. Mail a check to Tri Sigma Foundation 225 N. Muhlenberg St. Woodstock, VA 22664 or give online at trisigma.org/donate.
violettributes.com
We look forward to seeing you at 2019 Convention in Las Vegas!
June 28-July1
Nominate a Philanthropist Today
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he Foundation recognizes two Sigmas each Convention for their philanthropic leadership and dedication to causes greater than themselves. Nominations must be submitted by March 31 and applications can be found at trisigmafoundation.org. Philanthropist of the Triennium: honors a Tri Sigma for exceptional generosity and civic responsibility demonstrated by significant financial contributions to charitable organizations within their community, including the Foundation. Emerging Philanthropist of the Triennium: recognizes a Tri Sigma who is 40 years of age or under for exceptional generosity and civic responsibility demonstrated through financial contributions and volunteerism to charitable organizations within their community, including Tri Sigma.
Dixie Shelton, Alpha Alpha Philanthropist of the Triennium 2016 Recipient
Meet our newest Board Member Q: Why were you interested in serving on the Foundation Board of Directors? A: Through my work, I have been involved in fundraising efforts for other sororities, and I thought it would be nice to help Tri Sigma in this way. Thankfully, there was an opportunity for me to become involved with the Board of Directors. I also have two teen/preteen daughters, and their future college experience is on my mind. I want them to have the opportunities I had while being a Sigma if they choose. It takes alumnae support to ensure our sorority is strong for the women who want to join us.
Lori Rassati, Gamma Psi
Michelle Tantillo, Epsilon Omicron Emerging Philanthropist of the Triennium 2016 Recipient
WITH YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT,
2018 Dunham Women of Character Institute
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ecause of you, 146 collegians, coaches and staff gathered on August 3-5, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to learn about character, compassion, etiquette, and leadership. The Foundation is able to invest in Tri Sigma’s educational and leadership programming because of unrestricted gifts each year from sisters like you. Dunham Women of Character Institute continues a longstanding tradition of unifying leaders in the mission, vision and values of our sisterhood. The leadership program provides an exceptional experience that will leave each participant, each sister, empowered to share the message of being a woman of character with others. Read more about the impact of Tri Sigma programs visit trisigma.org.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS LIKE DUNHAM EMPOWER. Thank you for investing in the future of Tri Sigma!
BECAUSE OF YOU...the Dunham Women of
Character institute allowed me to meet so many inspiring women and make lifelong friendships while learning more about philanthropy and compassion. These connections and lessons for every aspect of life, including etiquette, will allow me to flourish as an empowered woman and leader throughout my entire life. Thank you for making this possible. -Madeline Staubs, Beta Delta
Ready to host a Bubble Zone? Looking to volunteer at your local March for Babies walk? Bubble Zone brings Sigma sisters together to have fun with children and families while shedding light on how March of Dimes research has impacted premature babies everywhere. Find resources at trisigma.org/bubblezone.