Ladybug House was founded by Suzanne Gwynn, RN, a critical care nurse with 35+ years of experience specializing in pediatric hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplant. After witnessing families struggle without adequate support beyond hospital settings, Suzanne envisioned Washington's first pediatric palliative care home.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide supportive respite for families with children who are physically stable but still battling serious or complex medical conditions. Many kids are between treatments and don’t need to be in a hospital. But going ‘home’ alone, with medical needs where families become nursing staff, can be overwhelming for everyone. Our goal is to provide a place for families to exhale and just be! For over a decade, our programs have done just that. Now our mission needs a forever home.

All of our hours are for “visiting ours”

As a non-profit, the primary goal of LadybugHouse is to build the first home in the state for children w/ serious or complex medical conditions and their families. We will offer a free place for family respite and specialized support during this very greatest of life’s challenges: A challenge hospitals are not designed nor equipped nor paid by insurance to meet. Our house will be a 24/7, restorative gathering place for family and friends. A place where volunteer nurses do the tough things, and loved ones respite together. This is a challenge that Ladybug House meets uniquely and holistically, making every moment of every life something to celebrate, together. All of our hours are for “visiting ours” for friends, family, even for occasional pet visitors in a special room we’ve planned! We say, “Have that loud movie night, a campfire, football party or chill sleepover. We’ve got this!”

OUR VISION

WHAT ARE WE BUILDING?

We are creating a state-of-the-art facility that includes:

A Child living in palletive Care hugging their parent

Therapy rooms for music, art, and sensory exploration

A Child living in palletive Care hugging their parent

Family suites to keep loved ones together

A Child living in palletive Care hugging their parent

An interactive playground and a physical therapy room

A Child living in palletive Care hugging their parent

A family-style kitchen with a full-time cook and amenities.

A Child living in palletive Care hugging their parent

A media room & areas for meditation & reflection

JOIN THE JOURNEY

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JOIN THE JOURNEY -

GUIDING PRINCIPALS

  • Grateful & Transparent

    We are so grateful to the companies and families who believe in us and support our cause through financial and in-kind donations to make our mission maximally impactful in support of the well-being of families and kids with serious or complex medical conditions. Transparency is our banner, and we show the impact of what we do while using entrusted resources in an efficient way.

  • Love & Family First

    We work with compassion in an interdisciplinary team, developing family moments and experiences that improve the quality of life of all family member during their diagnosis and treatment. With the support of a community of supporters, we to provide personalized economic, physical or psychological help to our children and their families as the face down disease and brave treatment.

  • Family & Empathy

    Family is paramount in decision making about care, and, every journey is unique and worthy of respect. We understand from our own experience. We are here to put ourselves in others shoes, listen, support, but above all, accompany them with experts and volunteers who are honored to serve. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support is essential to build Seattle’s first, family-centered, community-based pediatric palliative care home. Every contribution, whether through donations, fundraising, or volunteering, helps us get closer to creating a loving sanctuary for children and their families.