Lily Bell's Lullabies

In honor of our daughter, Lily Marie Bell, we (Christopher and Brooke Bell) have established the Lily Bell’s Lullabies Endowed Fund at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and are partnering with CHOP to raise awareness and support for the music therapy program at CHOP’s Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU).

Knowing the enjoyment and therapeutic value of these musical experiences for Lily as detailed below, it is important for our family to raise awareness of this often underfunded resource for children who are ill, and their families. Many people do not realize that there are 100 beds in just the N/IICU at CHOP. We hope to provide these children a gift of music as well as create an opportunity for joy and a therapeutic benefit. Please reference the additional information regarding CHOP's music therapy program as provided below.

We believe that your support for the music therapy program would meaningfully impact and enhance the opportunity for these ill children to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of music, like our daughter Lily. Thus, we are requesting your consideration for partnering with Lily Bell’s Lullabies and CHOP to support this important and underfunded cause by making a donation to the Lily Bell’s Lullabies Endowed Fund at CHOP.

Lily's Story

Lily passed peacefully at CHOP on June 18, 2016. Born on December 12, 2015, Lily weighed 2 pounds 10 ounces. She exemplified the concepts of fortitude and resilience and brought immense joy to every life she touched during her brief six months and six days on earth.

As parents, we are committed to this endeavor as Lily quickly evidenced her love of music. She routinely tracked her mobile of Mr. Fish, Mean Old Mr. Jellyfish, and Mrs. Seahorse, and kicked her feet in delight as the same three classical music songs; written by Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach; played repeatedly. Realizing the positive impact this music had on Lily, an iPod and Bose SoundLink speaker were purchased to provide Lily and her family a greater variety of music throughout each day and night. The helpful effects on Lily's clinical condition were apparent.

The music therapy provided to Lily had an immediate and calming impact on her as was evidenced in her vital signs (decreased need for oxygen, relaxed respiratory rate, and lower resting heartrate). Twice a week, during her music therapy session, Lily would either peacefully close her eyes and rest or intently watch and listen to the music therapist play the acoustic guitar and sing to her. The music therapist always played Lily’s favorite songs, which included a special lullaby for Lily, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “What a Wonderful World”, and “Piano Man”.

As the music therapy and playing of the iPod continued, Lily’s enjoyment of these experiences grew. In fact, the time came when Lily cried every time a commercial played on Pandora. What do parents do under these circumstances? Well, of course, we purchase PandoraOne and subscribe to Apple Music. Lily had distinct tastes in music and was a fan, in particular, of Adele, baby Mozart (and soothing classical music), Billy Currington, Colbie Caillat, Jack Johnson (Children’s Music), Jim Brickman, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Michael Buble, Rockabye Baby, and Zac Brown Band.

Thank you for reading our request and for your consideration. As the partnership with CHOP evolved, it was important to transition to this website to further our efforts. A special thank you to all of those family members, friends, individuals, and companies who previously donated through the gofundme website. Your support of Lily Bell’s Lullabies has been exceptional.

**Please note we established a donation goal as required for the site, but we hope to raise as much money as possible and any amount donated will be greatly appreciated.

@LilyBellsLullabies: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more information on upcoming fundraising events, etc.

Contact: Please feel free to contact the CHOP Foundation at 267-426-6500 for any questions about the Lily Bell’s Lullabies Endowed Fund.

Creative Arts Therapies | The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was one of the first pediatric hospitals in the nation to recognize the importance of treating all aspects of the patient, including their emotional well-being. Our Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department aims to minimize the impact that illness, injury, disability and hospitalization have on children’s growth and development. This crucial work is not reimbursable by insurance, nor is it billed to the patient, so donors help CHOP to create these special moments, regardless of a family’s financial situation.

Philanthropy has helped make Children’s Hospital a beacon of hope. Offering children “the gift of childhood” - the chance to play, learn and grow - is at the heart of all that CHOP does.

Overview of Music Therapy

Music therapy is the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to affect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals. Beyond the technical definition, music offers a deep harmonic connection that helps people to emotionally engage with each other and know themselves.

Here at CHOP, the goal of music therapy is to encourage self-expression and positive self-esteem while facilitating a sense of independence and feelings of control for our tiniest infant through our pre-teen and adolescent patients. Music therapy can support physical, social and neurobiological development, uncover or rediscover strengths/areas of health, elicit positive memories and improve overall mood. Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical interactions. Group music therapy sessions are provided on several units in the Main Hospital, The Children’s Seashore House and now the new Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care. Individual therapy sessions are provided on a referral basis. All music therapists at CHOP have master degrees and are licensed and/or board certified in music therapy. They specialize in infant, child and adolescent development in addition to their extensive musical skill set.

In group and individual sessions, therapists use musical responses, music improvisation, receptive music listening, songwriting, lyric discussion, imagery and performance to connect with patients. As an important member of the care team, they participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow-up visits.

Lily Bell's Lullabies Endowed Fund

The Lily Bell’s Lullabies Endowed Fund supports the greatest needs of music therapy in the Neonatal Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) including staff, technology, instruments, and other resources needed to facilitate this important therapy on CHOP’s 95 bed unit. Music therapy assists infants with their coping, development, and stress reduction as well as providing opportunities for caregiver-infant bonding. The music therapist receives referrals from all members of the treatment team, including nurses, child life specialists, developmental care team, psychologists, and physicians. As a member of this treatment team, the N/IICU music therapist collaborates with other N/IICU experts to determine individualized goal areas to address during music therapy sessions. During these unique interventions, the music therapist incorporates the family's preferences and music therapy techniques to meet the goal areas for each patient. The music therapist incorporates environmental music therapy techniques through playing an instrument or singing in the same key as unit sounds, such as the beeps of the babies' monitors, to negate ambient stimulation and promote a positive environment. Music therapy also assists in procedure support, most recently providing music therapy during ROP eye exams in collaboration with Child Life to help infants better tolerate this invasive procedure. Music provides immense therapeutic benefit and enjoyment for both patient and caregivers – making a real impact on the wellbeing of the entire family.