Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Suzanne Gwynn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Suzanne, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

JM was a lively young boy I had the pleasure of caring for during his leukemia battle. I met him and his family when he was 5 years old. His story, along with many others, stirred something within me and led me to envision Ladybug House—a place where seriously ill children and their families could find comfort and support outside of the hospital.

I remember the nights at the hospital with JM and his family, walking the halls until late at night. They longed to stay together, but the hospital had restrictive visiting hours. His family would retreat to Ronald McDonald House, returning early the next morning to be with JM. Being in the hospital was a part of their family routine for over 14 years.

JM was 19 the night he took his final breath with his mother and father and two of his siblings at his bedside. JM’s family insisted on taking him home. After bathing him and getting him dressed my co-worker and I put him on a gurney, took him to the loading dock, and placed his body in the back seat of the truck on his sibling’s lap. Seeing his family drive him back to Yakima in the early hours, solidified the necessity for a place like Ladybug House—a place where families could say goodbye with dignity in a home away from home setting.

For over 20 years, I had discussed the concept of a pediatric hospice, but it wasn’t until Junior’s passing that I felt compelled to take action. The journey from idea to reality has been challenging, but I am determined to see it through.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been a critical care nurse for more than 35 years, in both the United States and Canada. During the first decade of my career, I worked with medically fragile patients who suffered from a variety of life-limiting diseases. It’s been over 30 years since I began to focus primarily on bone marrow transplants, hematology/oncology, and hospice care. I worked with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Providence Hospice, and Swedish Medical Center. Working with patients spanning the age spectrum, from newborns to the elderly my primary focus for over 25 years has been pediatric Hem/Onc. It was back in the mid 90’s working at Swedish Hospital on the Pediatric bone marrow transplant unit, I realized that there was a desperate need for family respite and end-of-life support care outside the hospital setting.

Everything about founding and managing a non-profit has been a learning experience. I’ve learned everything from bookkeeping to marketing, fundraising, lobbying, and so much more. I’ve discovered that once you get past the fear of asking for help it makes life so much easier. I’ve been fortunate to have the support of over 600 volunteers over the last 10 years.

Ladybug House although not currently a brick-mortar operates virtually, we have 5 virtual programs that get implemented when we have the volunteers. Being a volunteer-operated organization we don’t always have the leadership we need but yet supported over 400 family recipients. When the need arises the people appear.

The thing that sets me apart from others is my fortunate ability to meet people where they are and using my years of critical thinking problem solving comes naturally. I have enough unsolicited advice for everyone.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

Being a Registered Nurse, I knew very little about starting a business, which non-profits are. A weekend workshop at SBA reading Non-Profit for Dummies and reaching out to anyone who would give me the time of day.

There were many technical things that I had no idea how to do, especially with regard to the computer. Nursing is something that I’ve always been good at. So picking up an extra job on my days off, paid for materials, licenses, technical resources. and an admin support.

Social Media was also a great resource when it came to asking for financial support.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’ve never had to think about questions like this, I hope these responses are not disappointing .

Being a Registered Nurse, especially working in the Pediatric Cancer arena you build strong relationships with your patients and their families. You build trusting relationships with your co-workers, physicians, and other disciplines on the care team. We live in a death-phobic society and it’s unimaginable thinking of a child dying. The reputation I have, whatever that may be is founded on the mutual trust and respect of the families and their children and all other members of the care team. These are the relationships that are the foundation on which my reputation is built.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ladybughouse.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladybug.house/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladybughouse/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ladybughouse/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladybug_house
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@LadybugHouse