Hospitalized children receive a 'Touch of Comfort'

(ARA) - For children, hospitals can be a scary and unfamiliar place. Add to that the stress caused by having to undergo numerous treatments and procedures, and the hospital environment can seem even more terrifying to a sick child.

Many hospitals have developed children's hospitals or wards, painted in bright colors with fun activities available to make the experience less frightening. However, often kids aren't able to be comforted by their toys from home. Because of allergens, children often cannot even bring their favorite stuffed animals to the hospital.

That's why Downy, in partnership with Quilts for Kids, Inc. created Downy Touch of Comfort, a program that delivers quilts to hospitalized children nationwide, bringing them each a small, but meaningful, "touch of comfort." Each year in the United States, children account for more than six million hospital stays and must confront the challenges of overcoming illness while staying in unfamiliar hospital environments. Security items such as quilts can help these children feel more comforted during medical treatments and hospital stays.

This year, the program has pledged to deliver 10,000 quilts to hospitalized children with the help of Quilts for Kids, Inc. To help reach this goal, interested families can help provide comfort to children undergoing hospital treatments by visiting Downy.com and watching the documentary, "The Gift of Comfort," which allows them to witness firsthand the impact of bringing a smile to a hospitalized child's face. From there, the site lists numerous ways for families to have an impact. The quilting community can also take an active role in the program by visiting Downy.com to create quilts and send them to Quilts for Kids for distribution to a child in need. There are many other ways that anyone may get involved with the program on the Web site:

* Send a machine-sewn quilt to Quilts for Kids for distribution to a child in need. To send a machine-sewn quilt, mail the quilt to: 11 Effingham Road Yardley, PA 19067.

* Find information to make a direct donation to Quilts for Kids.

* Find out how to contact your local Quilts for Kids chapter to get directly involved.

* Share your story about the quilt you have created or how the program has affected you.

For more information about Quilts for Kids, visit www.QuiltsforKids.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent