Edmarc Hospice for Children

Established in 1978, Edmarc Hospice for Children was the first hospice in
the nation designed specifically for children. Edmarc is the only pediatric
hospice organization in Hampton Roads. The mission of Edmarc Hospice
for Children is to ease the trauma of a child’s illness or death, and to reduce
the disabling effects of pediatric illness, loss and bereavement on families.

Edmarc’s health care services allow a child with a life-limiting illness to stay
at home whenever possible. Remaining at home helps alleviate some of the
child’s stress, and can make healthcare for the child less traumatic. But
when a child is ill, Edmarc never forgets that the entire family is affected.
Families who have a child with a life-limiting illness experience a high level
of stress, including emotional, social, spiritual, and financial pressures. This
stress often becomes debilitating to the entire family, sometimes resulting in
in dysfunctional family dynamics, financial hardship, and divorce. To help
families cope, Edmarc offers a broad range of services to address not only
the physical and emotional needs of the child, but the multi-dimensional
needs of the family as well.

Edmarc’s home health, hospice, and bereavement support services are
available to children and families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since
1978, Edmarc’s program has grown steadily, indicating a need for this
unique type of care. Edmarc has served 800 families in Hampton Roads
and more than 2800 family members in the past 29 years.