TAMPA, Fla. — A parent in Tampa is pushing to expand pediatric mental health services and to safeguard medical care for kids with complex conditions. 

What You Need To Know

  • Alisha Harper and her family recently traveled with St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Children’s Hospital Association’s annual Family Advocacy Day

  • Harper's son, Chase, was born with Down syndrome, heart defects and is also a cancer survivor

  • Harper's family shared their story with hopes that others across the country can have access to mental health support at their hospital

Alisha Harper and her family recently traveled with St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Children’s Hospital Association’s annual Family Advocacy Day.

Harper says her son, Chase, was born with Down syndrome and multiple heart defects. At four, he was diagnosed with leukemia, and at seven, he’s a cancer survivor.

Harper says having all her son’s specialists contained to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital has been instrumental in his diagnosis, treatment and continuous care. She says access has not only helped Chase, but additional services also support the rest of the family.

“I have the resources there to receive therapy services for me and my daughter, and it’s something that I hope other parents take advantage of,” said Harper.

Harper hopes sharing her story with local legislators in D.C. will help increase that access across the country.

“Talk to legislation and really share with them — this is what we’ve been through as a family, this is where we are now, and this is all of the things that we want to see happen state and nationwide,” she said.

The mother hopes to be that voice for her son and other families fighting for increased access to children’s health care.

“Thank you to Congress for hearing us out and letting us share our story, and hopefully, they’ll take that into consideration when they’re making decisions towards healthcare,” said Harper.