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Stories of Impact from Sam's Fans
Supporting and enhancing Music and Art Therapy programs that serve seriously ill children and their families.
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2,545
Families Served
in 2024, Sam's Fans is proud to achieve:
$601k
Raised
6,691
Individual Visits
428
Group Therapy
Mission Statement
At Sam's Fans, we support and enhance Music and Art Therapy programs that serve seriously ill children and their families
"At Sam’s Fans, we aim to transform hospital environments into spaces of creativity, expression, and hope. In 2024, thanks to your unwavering support, we expanded our programs, increased our supporter base, and provided families with moments of hope and comfort during their healing journeys."
- Nikki & Mandy
Impact Stories
This collection of stories represents just a fraction of the incredible impact Sam's Fans funding has had on thousands of children throughout Ohio and Florida.
They offer a glimpse into the significant difference your generosity and support have made. Thank you!
The Science Behind Art
and Music Therapy
The science behind art and music therapy lies in their ability to activate and regulate brain chemistry and pathways associated with emotion, memory, and cognition. Both therapies trigger the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and can reduce stress hormones like cortisol. Art therapy helps improve motor skills and provides a safe outlet for expression, while music therapy can synchronize with the body's rhythm, improve social skills, and aid in emotional processing and memory recall.
Finding Comfort Through Music
When a 4-year-old patient with Down Syndrome and a new leukemia diagnosis was admitted to our Hematology/Oncology unit, she struggled with sensory sensitivity and limited English, tolerating only brief 10–15 minute music therapy sessions. Over time — and through consistent, gentle engagement — she gradually built trust and resilience. Now, she joyfully participates in 30–45 minute sessions with our music therapy students, singing, playing, and expressing herself through music. Her family and care team are overjoyed by her progress and the comfort she’s found in sound.
-Cleveland Clinic
A Family of Two Heartbeats
A family who had just adopted newborn twin boys reached out to record their heartbeats before one underwent surgery for a congenital heart defect. Using our equipment, we captured both twins’ heartbeats and blended them with their special song, “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The final recording featured each twin’s heartbeat on separate audio channels, fading in and out of one another. The family described the experience as a deeply meaningful way to welcome their sons home.
- Cleveland Clinic
Finding Connection
During the summer, three pediatric patients admitted for complications from Crohn’s disease faced long hospital stays and difficult treatments. To help them cope, our Child Life and Music Therapy teams collaborated to create a Crohn’s Support Group — a space for connection, expression, and healing. Through music games and creative activities, the patients built friendships, shared their experiences, and found comfort in knowing they weren’t alone. Both patients and parents shared that the sessions made a lasting difference in their ability to cope with hospitalization and their diagnosis.
- Golisano Children's Hospital
Sam's Fans Heros
Laney
Laney is a brave 4-year-old from Kentucky, diagnosed with relapsed AML and is preparing for another BMT. She loves to play the piano and egg shakers in Music Therapy. Laney's favorite songs are "Jesus Loves Me" and "You Are My Sunshine". Laney and I began making music together after her first relapse at Cincinnati Children's. Since first meeting Laney, her creativity through music has begun to reflect her spunky and smart personality. Her improvisations on the piano show tons of color through changes in dynamics, tempo, and "stop and go" play. Laney is imaginative and brings her toys into the music play, especially the toy puppy in the video! Laney and her mother have had a long journey, and as they say, "Leukemia messed with the wrong chick."
Alyazya
Alyazya is a playful toddler from the UAE who has been diagnosed with ALL. She is preparing for a BMT and has been at Cincinnati Children's for 224 days. Alyazya loves Moana and loves to sing "How Far I'II Go". Alyazya has engaged in Music Therapy since she was around 5 months old, and I have had the pleasure in watching her grow into her playful and loving personality. She has made tremendous progress with her developmental skills and now loves to play various instruments, dance, and sing to her favorite songs. In just her first year of life, Alyazya has shown resilience through her tough battle and always wears a bright smile. Alyazya's parents are great advocates for Music Therapy and inform other families on the unit of the benefits of Music Theraрy.
Meet our Rockstar, Mick!
Mick and his family are well-known to the staff of Cleveland Clinic Children’s, with lengthy admissions for chemotherapy to treat his leukemia. Mick never hesitates to participate in music and art therapy. His parents frequently remind us that although preparing for admissions is daunting for Mick, he is always reassured when he is reminded that he will be able to play music and make art.
During days that cause a little more anxiety, such as lumbar punctures or days he’s not feeling great, Mick is always ready to jam. Music therapy sessions decrease his anxiety through alternate engagement, redirecting his attention to something much more enjoyable, music!
Mick has recently been discharged from his last planned admission, making it home in time to celebrate the holidays. To make his last inpatient music therapy session special, we created a green-screened music video to one of Mick’s favorite songs: I Was Made For Loving YoubyKiss. Mick proudly plays the keyboard and dances along as the song plays, we even were able to insert his comfort item, a stuffed monkey, into the video per his request. Thanks to the technology and time funded by Sam’s Fans, we were able to create something that was high-quality and truly ROCKIN’!
- Cleveland Clinic
Partners
If you would like to learn more about Sam's Fans and how you can get involved, please contact our team at info@samsfans.org.
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