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 available to families 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

  • Toys collected each December for patients in the hospital and their siblings

  • Toiletry items, such as shaving cream, shampoo, toothpaste, etc., available for caregivers

  • 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, such as rent, phone, utility payments, provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

  • 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

  • Financial grants provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

  • Gift cards loaded with $25 each given to social workers to pass out to families or caregivers for transportation assistance

  • Boxes filled with age appropriate items for children in the CVICU

  • Items, such as highchairs, swings, bouncy seats, sea soothers, requested by hospital staff in different units within the hospital

  • 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

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

  • Center filled with developmental items, which promote the health and wellbeing of PICU babies

  • Books delivered as requested to the PICU waiting room bookshelf

  • Bags with snacks and water for families delivered monthly to the emergency department and cardiac clinic

  • Therapeutic Intervention focusing on grief and coping for siblings who are processing a loss

  • Bags with snacks, pen, and a magnet delivered monthly to thank Le Bonheur staff

Methodist Le Bonheur
Germantown Hospital

  • Twenty-five books delivered monthly to the NICU

  • Items, such as highchairs, swings, bouncy seats, sea soothers, requested by hospital staff in different units within the hospital

  • Angel dear lovies given to babies in the CVICU

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

  • Fifteen bags with snacks, water, and tissues delivered monthly to NICU families

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

  • Financial assistance, such as rent, phone, utility payments, provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

Spence and Becky Wilson
Baptist Children’s Hospital

  • Fifty infant books delivered monthly to the NICU

  • Items, such as highchairs, swings, bouncy seats, sea soothers, requested by hospital staff in different units within the hospital

  • 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, such as rent, phone, utility payments, provided to families or caregivers with children who are suffering from illness to help them meet their non-medical needs

How to Get Involved

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: 2112 Court Ave, Memphis, TN 38014

  • Mailing: 2112 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104

  • Phone: 901-421-6909

  • Fax: 901-646-6364

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