A childhood cancer diagnosis impacts the whole family. Smile-A-Mile is dedicated to providing patients and their families with a sense of normalcy, improved mental well-being and tools to help them cope with the disease no matter where they are in the journey.
Our year-round programs focus on bringing the family together while also meeting the unique needs of patients, parents and siblings.
Hospital Outreach Program
The Hospital Outreach Program (HOP) takes weekly activities to children and families on the Hematology/Oncology Floor (8QB), Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and outpatient hematology/oncology clinic at Children’s of Alabama. HOP allows us to meet families soon after diagnosis and provide life-enriching programming for them through some of the most difficult times of treatment.
Many of HOP’s activities mirror the programs that occur at our camp sessions. These activities are designed to promote psychological and emotional healing. Some activities include:
- Arts & Crafts
- Button making
- Playing BINGO & other games
- Holiday-themed activities
- Making silly faces in the photo booth
The most meaningful parts of this program are the friendships and support systems that are created between these patients and their families as they participate.
We believe caring for the medical team is an important part of our mission. One way we are accomplishing this is through providing meals, treats, and activities. This encourages fellowship among the Hematology/Oncology staff and shows our appreciation for their support and commitment.
Smile-A-Mile Place Programs
Smile-A-Mile Place is our home in Birmingham’s Parkside District. Activities at Smile-A-Mile Place include patient and sibling programs, mom and dad events, holiday parties and much more for the whole family to enjoy. For more information, contact us at programs@smileamile.com.
Family Events
Family focused programs bring the whole family together, as well as meet the unique needs of patients, parents and siblings.
- Take Me Out to the Ballgame – Pre-game activities at SAM Place followed by a Barons game
- Thankful for Moms – Provides time for moms with children on or off therapy to build a sense of community that provides encouragement and support
- Spooktacular – Halloween party with games, activities and plenty of candy
- Holiday Party – End-of-year celebration with games, crafts and Santa
Day Camps
Day Camps allow patients and their siblings to come together to form bonds while also participating in activities fostering expression, healing and self-confidence. These activities include art, drama, dance, STEAM and much more.
The Journey Continues
The Journey Continues is a monthly support group sponsored by Smile-A-Mile for parents who have lost a child to cancer. This group exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process. It is a safe place for parents to express their feelings.
*This group is for parents or legal guardians and not intended for friends or other family members.
For more information, contact us at programs@smileamile.com.
Regional Programs
There are regions in Alabama with significantly higher numbers of children and families being impacted by childhood cancer. We are committed to reaching these families by providing programming in their own communities.
Regional programs are one-day events reaching families throughout Alabama. Such events typically include Alabama, Auburn and UAB sporting events, the National Peanut Festival, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and much more.
These regions include:
Auburn/Opelika
Birmingham
Dothan/Wiregrass
Huntsville/Decatur
Montgomery
Tuscaloosa
For more information on what we are doing in these areas or how you can help, please contact us at programs@smileamile.com.
Scholarship Program
A battle with pediatric cancer is often financially devastating to a family. With this reality in mind, Smile-A-Mile created a scholarship program in 1999 to assist families in sending their child to college, university, or trade school. Scholarship recipients must show academic progress as well as continue to give back to the organization by volunteering at fundraising events. Since 1999, Smile-A-Mile has provided more than $1,100,000 in scholarships.
Smile-A-Mile Scholars currently represent the following colleges/universities:
Application Information
All patients actively involved in our programming are eligible to apply for our scholarships on an annual basis. Whether you have decided to attend a university, community college or trade school, Smile-A-Mile wants to help!
If you are interested in applying for a Smile-A-Mile scholarship, please contact us to ensure you are on the mailing list. The annual application is available mid-January and due mid-March.
Password required. Please contact us if you did not receive the password.