The Butterfly Project is an interdisciplinary, student-run organization whose mission is to improve the care of women, infant, children, and the bereavement populations at UTMB and the surrounding community through volunteer work and support.
This summer the group participated in its first school supply drive which received an overwhelming amount of support and donations from across campus. In total, 269 backpacks equipped with paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, school supply boxes, rulers, and crayons were donated and distributed to children from the Luke Society, the Domicile, Ronald McDonald House of Galveston, UTMB Pediatric patients, and Rosenberg Elementary School. The Osler Society and the UTMB School of Nursing were instrumental in making the drive a success.
Members of the organization are involved in many projects throughout the year including monthly arts and crafts visits to the UTMB children’s unit; organizing photography services for families to have professional photos taken with their hospitalized children; making keepsakes with expectant mothers at the Domicile and volunteering at a bereavement camp.
The group recently welcomed the organization, The Compassionate Friends, as guest speakers to further educate their members about bereavement so that they may better serve families who are experiencing the loss of a child.
The Butterfly Project’s angel cart committee is working diligently to bring Angel Carts to the families in need at UTMB. An Angel Cart is a well-stocked cart, which is placed outside of a patient’s room when they are coming to the end of their life. Families can use the items in the cart, such as soothing music, snacks and literature, to comfort them while grieving their loss. Their goal is to have at least one cart placed in the hospital by the end of the year.
By continuing to work together, The Butterfly Project aims to share knowledge, aid, and support through volunteer work and help hearts soar.