Piper’s Place
Piper G. Amundson Foundation aims to raise money to open Piper’s Place — the first pediatric hospice house in the Southeast US, offering respite for children enrolled in palliative care, as well as hospice care and bereavement support. Please consider a gift toward our grand vision.
To provide grants and support to organizations that further the development of compassionate pediatric palliative and hospice care. We aim to develop the first pediatric hospice and respite house in the Southeast.
We see and we honor those directly caring for children in palliative care. We’ve been there.
Maybe your child may has complex medical needs and you’re in need of respite care support.
Perhaps your child has a new diagnosis that requires hospice care and you don’t know where to turn.
You may be hoping to find a place that feels more like home instead of a traditional hospital or hospice facility for your child to live their fullest life for as long as they have.
Or maybe, sadly, your child recently passed from a life-ending diagnosis and your family needs bereavement support and care.
If any of these sound like your story, we see you. We understand. And we hope to come alongside you and families like yours in the Metro Charlotte area when Piper’s Place is open.
We see you. We’ve been there.
FAQs
What does the need look like?
Four counties in NC average more than 50 deaths per year from medical-related issues (doesn’t include accidental or crime related deaths). Additionally, ~10% of children that die of an illness in NC are in Mecklenburg County, and 22% of children that die in NC are in the Charlotte region.
What is respite care and why is it important?
Respite care is a key component of hospice and palliative care for children. It provides a safe and enjoyable place for children to stay while caregivers have a chance to recharge or take care of other commitments. Currently 3,428 children qualify for respite care under the CAP/C program in NC.
Why is Charlotte a key locale for a children’s respite and hospice home?
Most children with life limiting illness must come to the center of Charlotte to receive treatment. As a result, location is important; proximity to the large local children’s hospital systems help to increase the odds that child will be able to access it at end of life.
Medically fragile infants are difficult to move long distances and a hospice may provide a place for a child to die where they can interact with their sibling and other extended family that is not possible in a NICU or PICU environment.
What would Piper’s Place provide?
Perinatal hospice care services, including respite care, palliative and transitional care and hospice/end-of-life care.
What life-improving therapies would be offered?
We envision Piper’s Place would offer families hydro therapy, sensory rooms, music therapy, a large outdoor garden area and accessible playground.