Michigan VR 4 Kids

Team

 Overview 

Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan (MW4K) is a local, grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides wigs and support services to children ages 3 to 18 at no charge throughout the state of Michigan. They assist children experiencing hair loss due to any medical condition; such as cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, burns, hydrocephalus, lupus, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, and more. Founded in 2003, MW4K has helped over 5,200 Michigan children in need for over 20 years. Children receive a wig and support services (classes, social activities, field trips, counseling and now: wellness and therapeutic VR) at no cost to them or their families in a non-medical setting. Together, with their multi-disciplinary team, MW4K helps the children they serve heal emotionally, socially, and psychologically from the side effects of their health challenges. Donate a Headset

Objectives 

Improve the health and well-being of children referred from 8 pediatric hospitals across the state of Michigan served at MW4K, including those facing pediatric cancer, by evaluating the qualitative impact of best-fit virtual reality wellness and healthcare Partner solutions for a minimum of 6 months.

Outcomes 

include enabling...

• Over 128 VR assessment assets (including individual testing reports, videos, and images).
• Thirteen donated headsets  
• Over five VR Apps vetted to meet the specific needs, priorities, and goals of our client
• Two clinical-grade Cleanbox device management cabinets to ensure the safety of immune-compromised children
• Twelve children to participate in the project
• Over twelve social media posts featuring recipients benefitting from the technology, our client, and XR Partners
• Development and implementation by MW4K of a pioneering, best practice VR onboarding procedure template for non-clinical settings, including program documentation, handbook, parental consent forms, recipient intake processes and documentation, follow-up, assessment collection, technical training, onboarding and support for recipient and parents, medical-grade device hygiene management protocol, etc.
• Production of monthly stakeholder project summary reports providing valued metrics and feedback on the impact of VR solutions with patients, including learnings and suggestions for iterations to improve or customize the product to meet specific pediatric patient needs
• 11 out of 12 participants reported VR helped them where and when they needed it-- empowering them through challenging moments at home, as well as through clinical procedures, hospital stays, and settings
• Client adoption of VR Program to serve the MW4K community.

Let's advance current projects and launch new ones!