Have you driven past State Fair Park or Miller Park and noticed the billboard that says “Ordinary people needed to do extraordinary things?” Have you glanced at foster care fliers, table tents and posters in your local coffee shop, barber shop, school, college, place of worship and restaurant? Have you read the plea for more foster parents on a tray liner at McDonald’s, in Applebee’s when receiving your bill or at your place of business by participating in foster parent lunch and learn? If so, you have seen just some of Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin’s recruitment efforts. …Continue reading this post

Now that winter is here, more of my patients are complaining about eczema.

Children with eczema have dry, sensitive skin that’s prone to developing itchy rashes. This is because they have an abnormal skin barrier. The protein building blocks of the skin don’t form normally and the oil content of the skin is different. As a result, water easily evaporates from the skin, causing it to dry out. The skin also does not protect children as well from the outside world, so irritants and allergens in the environment around us are more likely to cause itching and swelling.

Since eczema isn’t curable, prevention is a key part of treatment. Children with eczema must use a thick moisturizer at least twice a day to replenish the skin barrier – the thicker, the better. Think of this as a layer of protective armor you’re putting on your child’s skin. Creams and ointments that are scooped from a jar are better than thin lotions that come from a pump bottle. Fragrance is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to irritating the skin or causing an allergy. All soaps, moisturizers and sometimes even laundry detergents should be gentle and fragrance-free. Do not confuse the term “unscented” with “fragrance-free.” Products that are labeled as “unscented” may actually contain extra chemicals to hide smells.

Despite your best efforts, sometimes your child will develop eczema rashes anyway. If your child has an itchy, pink rash, bring him or her to the pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist. A prescription topical steroid ointment may be needed to calm down the inflammation.

Most children improve with time, but some will continue to have eczema as adults. Almost all children will continue to have sensitive skin as adults and must be careful to protect their skin with moisturizers and avoid using harsh products.

~ Yvonne Chiu, MD, pediatric dermatologist, Dermatology Clinic, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Tired of the same old gift-giving routine? Every year you exchange names, shop from boring wish lists or accumulate gift receipts in case your best efforts still don’t suit your friends or family members. It’s a lot of effort, but is it truly meaningful?

This year, consider giving a gift that surely will be appreciated. Make a gift to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in honor of your loved one. You will make a difference in the life of a child, and your friend or family member will receive the gift of goodwill, along with a special greeting card acknowledging the donation you made in his or her name.

The process is easy. Go to chw.org and select the “donate now” button. Then choose the area you would like to support, and in whose name the gift will be given. Children’s Hospital will use your donation to help the children who need it most this holiday season. Could there be a better gift?

~ Tanya Bissen, annual gifts manager, Children’s Hospital and Health System Foundation

Many times each day, I find myself riding the hospital elevators with our patients and their families. When I ask, “Which button can I push for you?” the answer often is the same: “Is there a button that says ‘home’?”

The holiday season is one of the most difficult times of year for our patients and families, especially when everyone wants to be together for the holidays. Parents do their best to unite their families, but it’s a challenge – one child is in the hospital, other children need care at home, job duties remain and there are countless pressures of the holiday season. We believe families should be together during this difficult time. This is why we are partnering with 96.5 WKLH to help bring patients and their families “Together for the Holidays.”

Our online fundraising campaign runs through Thursday, Dec. 23. One highlight of the campaign is a live broadcast with Dave Luczak and Carole Caine of WKLH in our hospital lobby from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. Throughout the campaign, we will accept cash donations at chw.org/together. These gifts will provide various amenities to help unite our patients and families during the holidays, including gas cards, restaurant certificates, hotel accommodations and transportation.

We can’t add a “home” button to our elevators, but we can make the holiday season brighter for kids and their families with your support. Help keep these families together for the holidays. For more information or to donate, visit us at www.chw.org/together.

Maggie Butterfield, director of Patient Amenities and Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

As a performer in the band REO Speedwagon, I spend much of my time on the road. I know what it feels like to be away from family. As a husband and father, I treasure the time I spend at home, especially during the holidays.

Unfortunately, many children are hospitalized during the holiday season, and they’re separated from their parents, brothers and sisters. Illness, geography and financial pressures can make it really hard for families to unite and celebrate this special time of year. Their situation can seem hopeless.

But it’s not. We all can help. That’s why we are donating a portion of the proceeds from our upcoming concert at the Pabst Theater on Saturday, Dec. 18, “RE Ho! Ho! Ho!,” to Together for the Holidays.

Together for the Holidays is a fundraising campaign presented by the hospital and our good friends at 96.5 WKLH. Donations to Together for the Holidays will provide gas cards, restaurant and grocery gift cards, hotel vouchers and transportation assistance to patient families.

Join us for the concert this Saturday, Dec. 18, have a great time and help kids and families in southeast Wisconsin.

~ Kevin Cronin, lead vocals, rhythm guitar, REO Speedwagon

For more information, visit Together for the Holidays. To purchase tickets for the R.E. Ho Ho Ho concert, visit the Pabst Theater. And for more news on REO Speedwagon, please visit www.reospeedwagon.com.