How can key partnerships present pivotal opportunities to serve more children navigating health challenges in new ways through therapeutic virtual reality?
At XR Impact Network (XRIN), we are learning how through an exciting new partnership with Invincikids and Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids (MW4K). This latest collaboration enables our team to deliver the same cutting-edge research and technology provided to children in over 60 hospitals globally to children participating in Michigan’s VR 4 Kids Program.
Invincikids is a nonprofit organization with a focused determination to dramatically improve healthcare experiences for all children, regardless of their social, economic, or cultural backgrounds. Led by Executive Director Andre Bollaert, Invincikids works with over sixty of the top Children’s Hospitals and Research Institutions to distribute immersive technology developed at Stanford University and other leading research partners. Invincikids generously provides access to their clinically researched VR software applications at no cost to their partners.
Moreover, to further their commitment to improving health equity through greater access to VR technology, Invincikids generously provides hardware to partners serving under-resourced communities at no cost, enabling more children to benefit directly from their ground-breaking work.
MW4K is a grassroots nonprofit established in 2003. It is dedicated to providing wigs and support services to Michigan children aged 3 to 18 experiencing hair loss due to medical conditions such as cancer, alopecia, and more. Over its 20-year history, MW4K has aided over 5,200 children across the state. Children receive support services at no cost in a non-medical environment, fostering emotional, social, and psychological healing from their health challenges through a multidisciplinary approach.
The primary objective of MW4K is to enhance the health and well-being of children referred from 8 pediatric hospitals across Michigan, including those experiencing pediatric cancer. The VR 4 Kids pilot was co-created in 2023 by Beth Savoldelli, current Founder of XRIN, and Maggie Varney, Founder and CEO of MW4K. The pilot’s specific aim was to explore how VR can assist an underserved pediatric cancer population, improve health equity through greater access to VR technology, and empower participants with a tool to support them where and when they need it most.
The 2023 pilot produced over 128 VR assessment assets. Valuable insights included learning that 92% of participants reported VR helped them cope during challenging moments at home and through clinical procedures. Due to the overwhelming pilot’s success, a 2024 VR 4 Kids Program powered by XRIN was approved to continue and expand this vital work.
Through our newest partnership and collaboration, XRIN strengthens its impact and support of outstanding global organizations like Invincikids—which develops scalable technology-based solutions through an engaged community of healthcare professionals committed to improving the quality of care for every child.
Working together, we can creatively and effectively reach more children who can benefit from VR technology, provide valuable insights to XR companies developing these innovative solutions, and transform children’s healthcare globally.
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More on this Announcement from Invincikids
VR 4 Kids 2023 Pilot Overview and How to Donate a Headset to a child in the program.
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This blog was created to share valuable insights captured from XRIN projects, partners, and people served to inspire an understanding of the grassroots impact shaping the growing wellness and therapeutic XR community.
PARTNER LINKS: VR 4 Kids 2024 Program