Rainbow Center for Pediatric Ethics

Celebration of Lives
EthicsThe 2006 Celebration of Lives was held on September 24th at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. Funded by the University Hospitals Auxiliary and sponsored by the Rainbow Center for Pediatric Ethics, this first ever Rainbow event brought together the families of Rainbow babies and children who have recently passed away and the doctors, nurses and other providers who cared for them.

When a patient who received care at Rainbow dies, the feelings of loss can be overwhelming for the family of the child as well as the doctors, nurses and other devoted care providers. Whether the death occurs after a sudden and unexpected tragedy or follows a long-fought battle with illness, families and staff often form meaningful bonds and unexpected kinship when a child dies. Nonetheless, opportunities to allow these caring relationships to provide mutual support and foster healing are rare. Frequently, families of patients who die at Rainbow have little or no contact with staff again after their child’s death.

The Celebration of Lives brings together families and Rainbow care providers with the purpose of providing a remembrance of all the cherished Rainbow babies and children who have died over the year. The Celebration does not seek to supplant or mimic religious or cultural observances which often occur immediately after the deaths of children and is not intended to take on a sorrowful tone. Instead, the Celebration honors the children by joyously commemorating the many magnificent ways these precious children touch our lives.

The next Celebration will be held in the spring of 2007.
All Rainbow care providers – both in the hospital and in the community – will be invited to attend.
For further information, please contact us