Memphis

The Forrest Spence Fund story started in Memphis.

The Forrest Spence Fund begins on September 10, 2007, with the story of Brittany and David Spence's first child, Robert Forrest Spence. Shortly after birth, Forrest developed complications and was transported to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he fought valiantly for life for 55 days before his illness overtook him. While in the PICU, Forrest and his family underwent an indescribable journey of highs and lows.

Counseling and Community Center

The Forrest Spence Fund Counseling and Community Center will provide more ways for us to assist families with counseling and support group needs. As we prepare the center, we could use your help to gather information.

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Programs

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

  • A cart that is filled with items of comfort and respite as they walk the road of saying goodbye to their child

  • Cakes for children in the hospital over their birthday provided by a partnership between Child Life, the FSF, and area bakers

  • Coolers provided to the lactation team for breastfeeding mothers to transport their breastmilk from home to the hospital and vice versa

  • Tote bags assembled with essential and fun items for caregivers and patients in difficult situations or lengthy stays

  • Tote bags containing developmental toys delivered quarterly for NICU babies reaching milestones

  • Annual toy drive each December for patients and siblings (in 2022: over 1000 toys delivered)

  • Toiletry items offered for caregivers and patients

  • Sessions, usually six-twelve, with a licensed counselor for families who have lost a child or have experienced a child’s severe diagnosis

  • Financial assistance provided to caregivers to help them meet their non-medical needs.  Examples are rent, phone, care & utility bills

  • Monthly individual meals served or delivered to 250 patients and caregivers in the hospital

  • Monthly individual meals served or delivered to 250 patients and caregivers in the hospital

  • Providing grants to families demonstrating need.

  • The Forrest Sibling Playroom is a dedicated place at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital that provides short-term care for siblings. The interactive environment gives siblings access to supervised play, while parents and caregivers focus on the needs of their sick or hospitalized child. 

  • $5000 worth of $25 cards given annually to social work to pass out to caregivers who need transportation assistance.  

  • Program which includes lots of age appropriate items that children in the CVICU can use and enjoy while spending time in the CVICU

  • As requested, we provide items for different units within the hospital, such as highchairs, swings, bouncies, sea soothers, etc.

  • Angel dear lovies given to babies in the CVICU and NICU and to children under two years old

  • Meal vouchers totaling $5,000 annually given to families or caregivers to assist with eating from the hospital cafeteria

  • A center filled with developmental items that promotes the health and well-being of NICU babies.

  • A center filled with developmental items requested by Rehab Therapists that promotes the health and well-being of PICU patients.

  • Books for all ages are delivered as requested to the PICU waiting room bookshelf we provided.

  • Bags with snacks and water delivered monthly to Emergency Department and Cardiac Clinic

  • Provides therapeutic intervention that focuses on grief and coping for siblings who are processing a loss

  • 100 bags with snacks, pen, magnet delivered monthly to thank Le Bonheur staff

Methodist Le Bonheur
Germantown Hospital

  • Twenty-five books delivered monthly to the NICU

  • As requested, we provide items for different units within the hospital, such as highchairs, swings, bouncies, sea soothers, etc.

  • Angel dear lovies given to babies in the CVICU

  • Developmental items donated as requested by Child Life Specialists and therapists

  • Bags with snacks and water delivered monthly to NICU

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

  • Financial assistance for families with a sick child, such as payments for rent, phone & utilities

Spence and Becky Wilson
Baptist Children’s Hospital

  • Fifty infant books delivered monthly to the NICU

  • As requested, we provide items for different units within the hospital, such as highchairs, swings, bouncies, sea soothers, etc.

  • Angel dear lovies given to babies in the NICU

Regional One Health

  • Coolers provided to the lactation team for breastfeeding mothers to transport their breastmilk from home to the hospital and vice versa

  • Tote bags containing developmental toys delivered quarterly for NICU babies reaching milestones

  • Item descriptionMeal vouchers totaling $1,200 annually given to families or caregivers to assist with eating from the hospital cafeteria

  • Center filled with developmental items, which promote the health and wellbeing of NICU babieItem description

  • Bags with snacks, pen, and a magnet delivered quarterly to thank Regional One Health NICU staff

QOLA Care

  • Mammie’s Poppy Keepsake Plates given to families who have experienced the loss of their child in hope that they will find comfort in their grief through the preservation of precious memories of their child

  • Financial assistance for families with a sick child, such as payments for rent, phone & utilities

How to Get Involved

Stay updated on all our activities in the Memphis area by following us on social media:

Contact Information:

  • 2112 Court Ave, Memphis, TN 38014

  • Phone: 901-421-6909

  • Fax: 901-646-6364

  • Hours: Monday 8:30-11:30, Tuesday 8:30-2:30, Thursday 8:30-2:30