Shawn's Anomaly Parent Package Program

Every 4 1/2 minutes a child is born with a congenital anomaly/birth defect.  It is the leading cause of infant deaths, but it gets very little attention.  Parents who have children affected by congenital anomalies often feel very alone and helpless.  Shawn's Anomaly was created in 2010 to provide education hope and help to families affected by congenital anomalies after founders, Matthew & Rachel Murphy's son, Shawn, was born with a 1 in 35 million birth defect. 

If a child with a congenital anomaly is taken to a hospital or enters the emergency room and then admitted into the hospital, the volunteers and leaders of Shawn's Anomaly are planning to provide the hospital a decorative bag (created by a volunteer) filled with a blanket, travel pillow, toiletries, etc. to give to the parents. 

The program will start in the Houston area, but hopes to expand to every other major city in the US by the end of the 2014. 

Matthew Murphy states, "When parents leave to go to the hospital, their mind is focused on getting help for their child. They rarely have time to gather things or even know what to pack for themselves. This package is just a small gesture to let them know that people care and want to help."

Each package includes the following:

Shawn’s Anomaly Parent Package
All toiletries are travel size

• 1-Tote Bag

• 1-Travel Pillow

• 1-Fleece Blanket

• 2-Shower Loofah

• 1-Pen

• 1-Notebook

• 2-Shampoo

• 2-Conditioner

• 1-Baby Shampoo

• 1 pkg Disposable Razors

• 1-Shaving Cream

• 1-Hair Gel

• 1-Mouth Wash

• 1 pkg of Q Tips

• 1 pkg of Wet Naps

• 2 Toothbrush/Toothpaste Kits

• 1 Bar of Soap

• 1-Male Deodorant 

• 1-Female Deodorant

"This will take a lot of help from a lot of people all over the US and the world to work," Murphy states, "Anyone can be a part of this program in several ways!"

Shawn's Anomaly needs volunteers who can help organize hubs in other cities and put together the packages. Supplies can be donated at participating Team Shawn's Anomaly events or by shipping to:

Shawn's Anomaly
c/o Parent Packages
3209 Prospect St
Houston, TX 77004