Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation

The Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation, initiated and led by parents of Mattie Brown, a child who died of cancer 10 years ago, is an amazing and highly effective organization. MMCF is unique in its focus on psychosocial care in pediatric cancer. The Browns have created a network of leaders in pediatric psychosocial oncology and collaborated to complete systematic reviews that support 15 aspects of psychosocial care. These reviews resulted in the development of Standards of Psychosocial Care in Childhood Cancer. These Standards are critically important and now poised for implementation, which MMCF continues to support. It is a great pleasure to work with MMCF on this critically important work.
Anne E. Kazak, Ph.D., ABPP
Director, Nemours Center for Healthcare Delivery Science

MattieMiracle is an organization that will forever be near to my heart, as the founders were not only the sponsors of my clinical CCLS role at Medstar Georgetown Pediatrics, but also are fantastic advocates for Child life services and Psychosocial Care throughout the entire DMV/greater Baltimore area. Working for Mattie Miracle has been an experience that left me feeling supported and knowing that the science and psychology of my role was valued and understood. Peter and Vicki trusted my expertise and equipped me to create activities and environments that would add meaningful experiences to children’s lives both in a community setting and within the clinical realms. I will gladly continue to work with and volunteer for MattieMiracle as long as they keep growing their presence in this very important field.

Mattie Miracle provides much needed psychosocial support for pediatric patients in the hospital setting by funding child life specialists - a role that is often understaffed but a very important position at children's hospitals. Child life specialists help reduce the stress and anxiety that pediatric patients face on a daily basis with stressful procedures and new diagnoses. Without Mattie Miracle, many kids would go without this service. Mattie Miracle understands that treatment for childhood illness is about more than just physical health - it is about emotional and mental health.

I am in awe of the work of the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation. And it is so multi-dimensional. Their work with standards for psychosocial care alone has been monumental--drawing together many of our country's best providers around creating and advocating for approval of a single agreed-upon set of standards. Then, add the direct patient impact from Child Life Specialists and the Mattie Miracle Family Snack Carts. I can attest, as someone who works in a hospital (Sinai) whose patients benefit, to seeing the smiles and hearing the stories of the young patients and family members numbering the thousands now who have been directly touched thanks to their work. They are an amazing organization who has worked so hard to make a better future for the children affected by their work. Thank you, Mattie Miracle!

Mattie Miracle Childhood Cancer Foundation has added a dimension to the treatment of children with Cancer that has long been needed. Along with best medical care, children, their families, from day of diagnosis need Psychosocial Support in many areas that match the Medical treatment. These areas are paramount to every patient, those that reach survivorship, those children who die from their disease. Mattie Miracle does this with food carts at two area hospitals containing fun treats for the whole family plus toiletry items for families members. Mattie Miracle is responsible for two Child Life Specialists whose positions bring special fun to a room or a play area. Mattie’s parents Vicki & Peter Brown want to make a difference for kids in treatment to make sure in all ways their Psychosocial needs are met as equally as their medical needs. Children with Cancer, their parents, face daily an array of emotions, fears, uncertainty, how best to help their child. Finding the best Specialists for this area of care, armed with solutions to provide assistance with all Psychosocial needs will help the child & family members know their child’s needs are being met in every aspect of care. Their mission is, IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE MEDICINE, and it isn’t!

I have volunteered with and donated to Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation and have been impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the founders and organization. They have assembled experts from across the country to draft psychosocial standards of care for children with cancer--very few grieving parents would be able to accomplish what they have. Every dime they receive goes to their core mission of serving families whose children have cancer. They are smart, compassionate, tireless, and dedicated.--Dawnee G.

Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation gives so much back to children with cancer and their families. I have watched the organization grow over the last many years and am very proud to be a volunteer helping with their events and their fundraising activities. The founders work tirelessly so that other families have an easier journey while dealing with horrendous diagnoses of pediatric cancer. This organization is all about helping others, setting and implementing standards of care nationwide. Fighting cancer is NOT all about the medicine. There is so much more and MMCF addresses these aspects.