Client Assistance Fund - Angel Kiss Foundation assists families with everyday costs such as household living expenses, mortgage payments, rent, food, utilities, travel expenses related to treatment, medical expenses, insurance deductibles, uncovered procedures and additional expenses the family may need assistance with during the child’s treatment.  As of December 10, 2008, Angel Kiss Foundation has helped more than 205 families with unmet needs providing more than $587,000 in direct financial assistance.

We currently serve families with children who are under the age of 19 years old and are in treatment for cancer, in northern Nevada and the eastern Sierra, including Truckee and Susanville, California. Our southern service border is Tonopah, Nevada.  While all applications must be received prior to the child’s 19th birthday, if medical treatment is ongoing, Angel Kiss Foundation will continue to assist families until the child is 21.

Currently, there is no comprehensive pediatric oncology treatment center in northern Nevada or the eastern Sierra, and as such, children and families must travel out of state to access treatment for their child.  Depending on the amount of time families are required to remain at an out-of state treatment facility, travel expenses can be significant and place an additional financial burden on families who are often experiencing lost work time and wages, due to the daily demands of caring for a child with cancer.  In addition to the extraordinary responsibility of caring for the needs of their sick children, families of children fighting cancer face the challenges of maintaining the household, caring for other children, making medical decisions and ensuring their financial stability.  

Connecting Families - This new program features two sub-programs: AKF Kids Club and Courage Together.  Commence monthly, beginning in January 2009; this support program is available to all families touched by pediatric cancer in our area at no charge.  Our goal is to provide an emotionally safe, comforting and encouraging social environment wherein children and their families may bond, and parents can keep abreast of all available resources through the sharing of experiences, ideas and education.

At Kids Club, children affected by pediatric cancer are invited to participate in an informal social gathering with their peers. The monthly themed program is structured around a project or activity which will be of interest to patients and siblings, and planned with the unique needs of patients in mind. Activities may include pizza parties, art projects, pool tournaments, cooking nights, games, community outings and more. This “kids only” club will allow parents and guardians some down time or even a date night, while not having to pay for childcare. Nurses are present to assist with those children requiring special care.

The other sub-program, Courage Together, provides peer support groups for children with cancer and their families. In a safe, professionally supervised environment, children express feelings and concerns through structured creative activities, while adults have a chance to communicate openly, without children present, and meet other parents facing similar issues.  Courage Together is a collaborative effort between Keaton Raphael Memorial Foundation and Angel Kiss Foundation. By working together we share our resources, time and energy to benefit families.

Angel Kiss Foundation also offers a blog.  This is an online forum, moderated by the executive director, in which AKF families can communicate with each other in a supportive fashion, offering emotional support and exchange of advice, ideas, resources and education.

Holiday Party - In 2002 Angel Kiss Foundation began bringing the "spirit" of the holidays to its families.  Every year since, the program has grown and in 2007 300 family members enjoyed the evening’s activities which included dinner, face painting and a special visit from Santa complete with a gift for each patient and sibling(s).

Informational Resources - Angel Kiss Foundation frequently directs families and the professionals caring for them, to collaborating organizations and other resources, locally and nationally.