Basic Requirements to Provide a Special Event

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital requires groups to meet several basic requirements in order to sponsor a special event at the hospital:

1. Patient Special Event requests are made by submitting the application form.
2. All groups are screened in advance.
3. Group size is limited to 5 people as not to be overwhelming to the patients.
4. Groups are responsible for providing their own materials and supplies for their event. Tape/pins are not allowed on the walls or floors. You may use mylar/foil balloons and decorate tables using tablecloths and centerpieces. All other decorations must be approved.
5. Create ways for patients of all abilities to become actively involved.
6. Toys or favors will be screened in advance for safety and appropriateness. Stuffed animals and used items cannot be accepted. Please do not bring latex balloons, candles, knives, toy guns, water guns or other unsafe materials. Please avoid items that are small enough to go into a mouth or anything with small removable pieces. Please bring at least 50 items so there are enough for all patients and siblings.� Do not attach your name or business to the items.
7. Due to patients' dietary restrictions, all food or snack items will need to be approved by the Facility Coordinators prior to the event.
8. Media coverage of events is prohibited since it can create more stress for patients and families.
9. Your group may NOT take photographs or videos during the visit because of patient confidentiality issues.
10. The presentation should be religiously, politically, ethnically, and culturally neutral (includes gifts, pamphlets, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items distributed or worn by the group) because we have patients from many diverse backgrounds. Presentations should not contain threatening themes such as death, medical procedures/personnel, and illness.
11. Any person exposed to contagious diseases (COVID, chicken pox, shingles, hepatitis, measles, mumps, pink eye, etc.) in the past four weeks or had flu-like symptoms (vomiting, rash, fever, diarrhea, etc.) in the past two weeks or fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of the event is asked NOT to visit. For children with weak immune systems, even a cold can be life-threatening.
12. Frequent hand washing is especially important when working with patients. Please wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water before and after each patient contact.
13. The activities must be well-planned and have educational, inspirational or entertainment value to our patients. They should be long enough to make it worth the effort some patients have to go through to get out of bed with IVs, etc. Note: These children are sick, and we never know how many will feel like coming to an event, but please do not let this discourage you. The patient family occupancy in each Housing facility changes daily, so the number of supplies to prepare for will be discussed at the time the event is approved.
14. Your interest and concern for our patients must be limited to the hospital visit. Please do not exchange phone numbers or addresses. Confidentiality is of utmost importance. Please do not make promises to a child, for you do not know if they can be fulfilled.
15. Dress comfortably and appropriately for children in a hospital. No shorts, tank tops, low-cut blouses, or sandals.
16. Groups are responsible for cleaning the area once their event is over. This includes wiping down tables, disposing of trash, etc.
17. Do not bring or promise toys or favors that are not pre-approved into the housing facility for the children.
18. Do not bring or promise special event tickets or access to celebrities.
 

Health

Anyone exposed to contagious diseases (COVID, chicken pox, shingles, hepatitis, measles, mumps, pink eye, cold sores, etc.) four weeks prior to your event or anyone who has had flu-like symptoms (vomiting, rash, fever, diarrhea, etc.) two weeks prior to your event, or fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of your event is asked not to visit. For children with weak immune systems, even a mild cold can be life-threatening.

• If you are sick on the day of your event experience, contact your event representative. It is possible your experience can be rescheduled.

Patient Privacy

1. All conversations you might hear between hospital faculty and staff with patients, parents and other health care workers are to be kept confidential. This is in accordance with HIPAA, a federal law, St. Jude policies and patient privacy. Be mindful to follow your event representative's lead. Please do not participate in conversation happening between families and health care providers.
2. Please do not ask questions about the child's diagnosis or treatment.
3. Personal photos and videos are not allowed to be taken of the patients. This includes photos and videos with cell phones and other devices of this nature.
4. Do not ask patients, families, or staff for their personal information (including personal/hospital phone number, address, e-mail address, web site or medical identification number).
5. Do not give or promise your business card, e-mail address, phone number or any other contact information to the patient or family.
6. Do not make plans to visit the patient or family after the initial event.
7. We encourage you to be respectful of the privacy of St. Jude patients and to not to share your personal experience with media or on any social media outlets including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. using St. Jude patient names.
8. To protect the patient's and family's right to privacy, hospital staff cannot disclose information regarding any patient's illness, treatment, or prognosis.
9. Do not go into a patient's room without prior approval from hospital staff and your event representative.

Sensitivities

1. There might be topics or procedures that are difficult to hear or see.
2. If at any time you see someone or something that upsets you or makes you feel faint, step aside to speak with your event representative as unobtrusively as possible.
3. Be respectful of the patient's space. Be mindful of where you sit and what you touch.
4. Showing emotion is not always appropriate. If you are in a situation that is sensitive, it is appropriate to politely excuse yourself from the room or area.

Interacting with Patients

1. When and if appropriate, the event representative might introduce you and explain the purpose of your visit to a patient. When you interact with patients, bend down to their level. Some children may vary in the ways they interact with visitors. Do not touch a child unless he or she initiates the gesture.
2. Respect the patient's privacy and avoid questions relating to age, diagnosis, prognosis, or time away from home. Avoid saying "get well soon" because treatment can take several years and some children never "get well" because they have a chronic illness. Instead, you can say, "I hope you feel better soon."
3. Do not pick up a child because he or she may have hidden incisions or tubes. Some children may have IV poles or tubing; however, you should interact with hospitalized children as you would with other children.
4. If a patient or family makes any requests to you, refer them back to your event representative who might be able to assist them.

Requirements for Programs with Religious Content

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a not-for-profit private hospital devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children. St. Jude is comprised of patients, families, and staff from around the world and therefore, recognizes all the world's major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. No program offered may be specific to any one religion, in any manner, attempt to convert, save, proselytize, or persuade any child, family member, or staff person to a particular religious belief, a different religion, or any denomination of Christianity. Any attempts to do so will result in that person and their group being asked to leave the institution.

Program content should be designed to express the love of God to all children regardless of race, sex, or religion. The program must not attempt to declare or prove the significance of one religion or set of beliefs over another. The content of the program should not include the name of a specific religious deity. The use of the term "God" is acceptable.

St. Jude affirms that faith and medicine go together. We will not tolerate any attempt by any person or group of persons to offer "faith healing," separated from medicine to our patients.

The origin of nearly all childhood cancer is unknown. Cancer is not given to the child or placed upon the family as a deliberate act of God nor because of anything the child or family has done. Your program content and actions toward the children and their families should reflect this fact.

No person or group may bring books, tapes, tapes, CDs, or any other item to sell to our patients, families, or staff. You may not pass out religious literature, tracts, Bibles, tapes, CDs, or other written materials to the children. You may, however, place appropriate gift items on a table we will provide for you. The Department of Chaplain Services will determine what gifts are appropriate.

Any musical equipment, tape players, keyboards, microphones, props, etc., must be supplied by the person or group making the presentation.