When Brittany ’08 and Tyler Tomjanovich entered the emergency department at American Family Children’s Hospital, terror eclipsed everything else. Mason, their five-month-old son, had a seizure while Brittany was holding him. Clinicians moved quickly as a gentle presence stepped forward: a child life specialist, offering a meal and a reminder that the young parents didn’t know they needed — you must care for yourselves so you can stay strong for him. That interaction marked the beginning of a life-changing partnership.
Now seven years old, Mason endured six surgeries, 20 emergency visits, more than 100 appointments, and innumerable blood draws. Diagnosed with a complex chromosomal disorder, Mason has faced more medical challenges than many adults do in a lifetime. He was also diagnosed with a primary immune regulatory disorder, impacting his body’s ability to fight infections. Yet through every frightening procedure and unexpected setback, the Child Life program was there, translating fear into understanding and anxiety into resilience.
For Mason, that often begins with something as simple as a toy truck or a familiar, friendly face. “Because of Child Life, Mason isn’t afraid,” Brittany says. “He looks forward to going to the hospital. He asks, ‘Will the person with the toys be there?’ ”
With a child life specialist by his side, Mason approached a blood draw with newfound courage. Through age-appropriate explanations, play-based preparation, and distraction, Mason’s child life specialist helped turn a moment of fear into one of triumph.
Child Life’s support also extends beyond the patient. Mason’s sister, Hailey, who has witnessed more ambulances outside her home than any child should, has also found comfort through the program. With play, conversation, and compassion, child life specialists helped her understand her brother’s medical journey and reminded her that she, too, is essential.
“[The program] really helps with Hailey, too,” Brittany explains. “They made her feel like she was part of the bigger picture. … They make life experiences better for the kids who need them. I am so grateful for Child Life.”
In 2024, 17 child life specialists and three child life assistants provided 25,540 moments of comfort, 1,890 music therapy sessions to bring calm and joy, and 1,039 visits from five Canine Health and Medical Pals dogs.
Today, with Mason’s health more stable, the Tomjanovich family feels they have room to breathe again. But no matter what tomorrow brings, they know Child Life will remain a compassionate presence.
Thanks to donor support, this remarkable program provides more than reassurance — it nurtures resilience. Funded 100 percent by philanthropy, Child Life delivers play, preparation, music therapy, facility dog visits, appearance-boosting resources, special events, and so much more. These services help children manage pain, fear, and uncertainty, and help families stay grounded through the unimaginable. Because of you, families like Mason’s don’t face their hardest days alone. Your generosity ensures that every child has the support they need, not just to cope but to find moments of joy, healing, and hope.
“We appreciate the support from the community to help our program grow over the last 30 years,” says Katie Glass, a child life education specialist. “We look forward to what the next 30 years will bring.”