Tyler Foundation

The Tyler Foundation is a charitable organization located in Tokyo, Japan, which offers psychosocial support to children with cancer in Japan and their families.

Tyler Foundation
FoundedJuly 2006
FoundersKimberly Forsythe and Mark Ferris
FocusSupporting children with cancer in Japan and their families.
Location
Area served
Japan
Websitewww.tylershineon.org

Background

The Tyler Foundation is incorporated in Japan as a non-profit organization.[1] Founded in 2006 by Mark Ferris, and Kimberly Forsythe, the organization was dedicated in memory of their son, Tyler, who was diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia before he was one month old.[2]

Born in 2003,[3] Tyler died after almost two years of treatment at the National Center for Child Health and Development in Setagaya, Tokyo [4] in June 2005.[5][6] The high standard of medical care they experienced contrasted with the lack of psychosocial support offered to families and children with cancer in Japan. Tyler's parents created the foundation to help patients and families in Japan going through the challenge of fighting childhood cancer.

Mission

The organization's mission is to improve quality of life during treatment and ensure a smooth and successful transition to normal life after treatment.[2] The foundation's aim is to fundamentally change the way patients’ care is administered throughout Japan in the pediatric oncology wards.[3] They concentrate on patient and parent support such as an on-staff psychologist, support groups and childcare for siblings.[3]

Projects

In the spring of 2007, the Tyler Foundation launched its counseling and support program, providing a clinical psychologist to the pediatric cancer ward of the National Center for Child Health and Development.[3][7]

In April, 2009, the Tyler Foundation opened its Shine On! House, which provides overnight accommodation for families, childcare for siblings of patients and a place for families to relax.[8] The Tyler Foundation is the sole representative of the US-based Beads of Courage program in Japan. Patients receive a colorful bead corresponding to each aspect of cancer treatment - for example, surgery, radiation, blood tests, etc. The beads serve as symbols of courage to commemorate milestones the children achieved along their individual treatment path.[9] Introduced to Japan by the foundation in 2010, the Beads of Courage Program is said to decrease illness-related distress; increase the use of positive coping strategies; enable children to find meaning in illness, and restore a sense of self in children coping with serious illness.[10]

In addition, the foundation launched its Shine On! Therapy Dog program in 2010, placing Japan's first full-time therapy dog at Shizuoka Children’s Hospital. Bailey, a golden retriever, was trained for two years at Hawaii Canines for Independence in Maui, Hawaii. The dog goes bedside to give children courage and accompanies them during medical procedures.[2][11] The nurse-handler and therapy dog visit the hospital five days a week, attending pediatric patients’ medical examinations and rehabilitation treatments.[12][13][14]

Following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the Tyler Foundation decided to offer its expertise to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The foundation's Shine On! "Smile Ambassador", Guy Totaro, travels to schools in the affected areas getting the kids to smile as a way of relieving stress.[15]

The foundation also created a musical project called “Shine On! Songs” as a way of raising funds.[16] Students at Sakari Elementary School in Ofunato City participated in the chorus of one of the songs on the CD "Who I Want to Be". The song is based on an English version of Miyazawa Kenji's famous poem Ame Ni Mo Makezu. Recording artist Rie fu, who sang the song, visited Sakari Elementary school to share in the happiness of completing the song.[17] A number of artists donated songs to the album including Julian Lennon who donated "Children of the World" to be a track on the album.[18]

References
  1. "TT-392 -- Leukemia, ebiz news from Japan". Japan Inc. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  2. "Bring on Bailey! NPO's new approach to help child cancer victims". BCCJ Accumen. November 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  3. "Turning Grief Into Hope". TAC InTouch Magazine. August 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. "TT-616 -- Believers in Japan's Health System, e-biz news from Japan". Japan Inc. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  5. "Tyler Foundation helps other sick kids shine on". Japan Times. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  6. "Shining on after the darkness of death". Japan Times. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  7. "New iPad Storybook Supports Families of Children with Cancer". Yahoo News. Feb 1, 2012. Retrieved 29 Feb 2012.
  8. 「走って小児がん家族支援」（2月21日　共同ニュース） “Running to Support Families Facing Pediatric Cancer”. Kyodo News
  9. 「子どもの闘病励ますビーズ」（1月23日　朝日新聞）“Beads Encourage Children with Serious Illness”, Asahi Shimbun. 23 January 2011.
  10. "For Kids With Cancer". WIFM. November 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  11. “Ready to Serve”. Maui News. 19 November 2009.
  12. "「天才!志村どうぶつ園 特別編 涙と奇跡のどうぶつ物語５」". Nippon Television. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  13. "「ザ！鉄腕！DASH！！ 2時間わんわんスペシャル！！」". Nippon Television. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  14. “Believing the Possibility of Being Cured”. Shizuoka Shimbun. 4 January 2011.
  15. "SCRUM DOWN / Talking the talk for charity". Daily Yomiuri. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  16. “’Ame Ni Mo Makezu’ With Strength”. Tohkai Shimpo. 24 August 2011.
  17. “Sakari Elementary School’s Chorus on CD”. Tohkai Shimpo. 1 November 2011.
  18. "Julian Lennon dona una canción para los niños de Japón". Rolling Stone Mexico. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
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