TAMPA, Fla., June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Joseph's
Children's Hospital patient Chase
Harper, 7, and his family joined more than 40 other
pediatric patients from across the nation on Capitol Hill to
advocate for legislation that ensures access to high-quality
pediatric medical and mental health care.
Chase was diagnosed with multiple heart defects in utero and was
born with Down syndrome. He spent the first two weeks of his life
in the neonatal intensive care unit, and underwent heart surgery at
just 8 months old. When he was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with
Pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His treatment included 30
months of chemotherapy with multiple months-long hospital stays
during that time.
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital has been instrumental in his
diagnosis, treatment and continuous care.
The Harper family traveled to Washington from June
12-14, as part of the Children's Hospital Association's
annual Family Advocacy Days, along with BayCare Government
Relations Director Jason Rodriguez,
BayCare Government Relations Manager John
Learn, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital President
Sarah Naumowich and BayCare System
Communications Strategist Amy Gall.
The trip included meetings with U.S. Representatives
Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kathy
Castor, Laurel Lee and
Darren Soto, and U.S. Senator
Marco Rubio. Chase also had the
chance to spend time with dozens of children from hospitals
throughout the country during a celebratory dinner to honor the
Family Advocacy Day participants.
"Chase has been a fighter since he was born, and I know he would
not be here today if we didn't have access to the specialized care
he receives from St. Joseph's Children's Hospital," said his
mother, Alisha Harper.
According to Alisha, Chase's cancer diagnosis and lengthy
treatment affected their entire family, but the toll it took on her
9-year-old daughter Tali's mental health was something she didn't
anticipate. Fortunately, they participated in an integrated
behavioral health program at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital that
provides counseling to pediatric oncology patients and their
families.
The services come in the form of two licensed clinical social
workers that are available for patients and families in the care
setting at the hospital, free of charge. While the clinicians
worked to get Chase better, his mom and sister had access to
therapy onsite so they could appropriately cope with the
situation.
During meetings on Capitol Hill, BayCare representatives and the
Harper family asked Congress to be champions for legislation that
would safeguard care for children with complex medical conditions
and to expand mental health services for kids and teenagers.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with our
congressional delegation and Senator Rubio to advocate for greater
and earlier access to behavioral health services for kids," said
BayCare Government Relations Director Jason
Rodriguez. "The Harper family has endured so much, and their
bravery in sharing their story will help get critical legislation
such as the Helping Kids Cope Act and the Early Minds Act across
the finish line."
About St. Joseph's Children's
Hospital
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital is committed
to providing everything needed for the health and well-being of
children. Together, BayCare Kids and St.
Joseph's Children's Hospital offer specialized inpatient and
outpatient pediatric care to thousands of children and their
families each year in multiple locations throughout West Central
Florida. From the tiniest baby to the high school quarterback,
patients are cared for by doctors who specialize in treating
children, in surroundings designed exclusively for kids. For more
information: BayCare.org/SJCH.
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SOURCE St. Joseph's Children's Hospital