Make a difference in the lives of patients and caregivers. Give respite and hope to NIH patients..

The goal of the program to honor Anastacia Longenderfer Dougherty is to create and expand a funding source for the creative arts, family support, and other programs for patients and their families seeking care at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Ana's Impact, a collaboration with Friends of Patients at the NIH, has a special, but not exclusive, focus on patients placed in isolation while undergoing treatment at NIH. In Phase I patients are provided various arts therapy projects which encourage creative activities while experiencing long periods of idleness and restrictive movement. As a NIH patient, some of Ana's best moments were spent doing creative activities; unfortunately, those activities were limited during periods of isolation. Phase I helps to expand creative opportunities for those in similar limitations.

Phase II of Ana's Impact enables patients and caregivers the ability to experience respite outings during therapy. While recuperating, Ana and her husband Chris enjoyed off-campus activities that enhanced their NIH experience. Not everyone can navigate such outings and Ana’s Impact funds the patient’s ability to experience a respite in treatment and quality time with loved ones.