News

Salve Regina University Dance Marathon raises more than $12,000 for Hasbro Children's Hospital

On February 23 and 24, nearly 100 Salve Regina University students took part in the 18-hour Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Dance Marathon at Ochre Court in Newport. The event raised $12,742 to benefit pediatric medical care, education and research at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Six patient families participated and shared their stories, and students remained standing throughout the 18-hour event while dancing and playing games. “We are grateful to all the student leaders and volunteers at Salve Regina who supported Hasbro Children’s Hospital through this amazing and enjoyable event,” said Pamela Murchie Mehr, cause-related marketing officer for Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

 

Salve Regina University students dance with Hasbro Children’s Hospital patient Evan Huddon from Warwick at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Dance Marathon.

 

Salve Regina University students dance with Hasbro Children’s Hospital patient Emma Prest from Warwick at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Dance Marathon.

Watch this video to find out why this cause is so important to the students at Salve Regina University. "It's for the kids!"

 

 

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Providence Bruins, JetBlue Visit Hasbro Children’s Hospital for
“Read to Me” Event

On January 17th, Providence Bruins players Justin Florek, Kevan Miller, and Bobby Robins joined JetBlue crewmembers for a visit to Hasbro Children’s Hospital to deliver books and hold a special reading at the hospital’s library as part of the hospital’s Read to Me program.

The books were donated by local residents through a donation drive organized by JetBlue to celebrate the airline officially taking to the skies out of T.F. Green International Airport. JetBlue tweeted its location at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, calling on people to bring three new or gently used books and dress in their best Floridian attire to win free flights and other goodies and enjoy treats from the airline’s partner Dunkin’ Donuts.

The Providence Bruins are a long-standing partner of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, having donated more than $110,000 to the pediatric facility through a variety of fundraisers since 1993, most notably, the annual Jersey Auction.

The Hasbro Children’s Hospital Read to Me program gives children the tools they need to learn to love reading. Volunteers provide an interesting and educational activity for children to participate in while they wait to see their doctors. The volunteers also serve as literacy role models, encouraging both children and parents to realize the great significance of reading. At every clinic visit, the doctor gives the child a new book to take home. This supports the hospital's philosophy that books are important. In the past year, the program has distributed more than 10,000 books to patients.

 

 

 

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Zoltan Mesko visits
Hasbro Children's Hospital,
Supports Miracle Wraps Mall

 

On December 18, 2012, football player Zoltan Mesko visited the children and families at Hasbro Children's Hospital. During his visit Zoltan presented the Hospital with $5,000 from the Zoltan Mesko Foundation to help support the Miracle Wraps Mall program.

Miracle Wraps Mall is a program that was set up for the patients of Hasbro Children's Hospital to shop during the holiday season. Miracle Wraps Mall is a mini-mall set up in the hospital, complete with a bank, store, gift-wrapping station and food court.

 

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Rhode Island Pink Heals organization presents check to
Hasbro Children's Hospital

On December 17, the Rhode Island Pink Heals organization presented a check for $13,589 to support the All For One Assistance Fund at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. From October 21 to 28, firefighters throughout Rhode Island wore pink T-shirts while on duty to support Rhode Island women with all types of cancer.

The shirts have the name “Jenna” on the left sleeve to remember 9-year-old Jenna Jacques, a Hasbro Children’s Hospital patient from Providence and an advocate for childhood cancer who passed away on July 6 from brain cancer. The All For One Assistance Fund provides winter coats and other necessary items for patients and their families at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

 

 Members of the Rhode Island Pink Heals organization present a check to
Hasbro Children’s Hospital staff members.

 

 

Jenna Jacques with her family at the 2012 Battleship Ball for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Photo by Al Weems. 

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Rite Aid “Elves” Spread Holiday Cheer to Children at
Hasbro Children’s Hospital

On December 17, a team of Rite Aid “elves” from the Providence area visited Hasbro Children’s Hospital to bring gifts to children who may not be able to celebrate the season at home with their families and friends.

The holiday visit is part of Rite Aid’s corporate sponsorship and ongoing commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit organization helping to raise funds and awareness for 170 hospitals caring for children in North America.

Rite Aid has raised more than $56 million since 1994 for pediatric hospitals supported by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. One hundred percent of funds raised at Rite Aid stores go directly to local hospitals.

 

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Miss Rhode Island Kelsey Fournier
visits patients and families,
presents check

On December 14, Miss Rhode Island Kelsey Fournier visited patients and families in the Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and presented a check for $10,000 from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the national charity of the Miss America Organization.

Participants who compete for the Miss Rhode Island title each year must raise funds that are then donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Over the past five years, approximately $10,000 has been raised by Rhode Island contestants who are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Fournier, a native of Pawtucket, R.I., will represent Rhode Island in the 2013 Miss America Competition in Las Vegas on January 12.

 

Miss Rhode Island, Kelsey Fournier, presents check. Also pictured (L-R) Mia Gomes of East Providence, 
Child Life Specialist, Kelsey Hobbs, and  Marlen Bonilla Ruedas of Central Falls.

 

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Hasbro Children’s Hospital Chosen as Recipient of Barnes & Noble’s
December Holiday Book Drive

Warwick store’s book drive to benefit hospital’s long-running Read To Me program

Throughout the month of December, customers of Barnes & Noble’s flagship store in Warwick will  have the opportunity to donate new books to benefit Hasbro Children’s Hospital’s Read To Me program. Each year, the Warwick store selects Holiday Book Drive recipients for the months of November and December, and this year Hasbro Children’s is fortunate to be the December recipient.

To promote the book drive, Miss Rhode Island 2012, Kelsey Fournier, will appear at the Warwick store on December 20 at 3 p.m. for a children’s story hour.

Launched in 1993, the volunteer-based Read To Me program fosters an interest in reading in children cared for at the hospital. The program also increases parent awareness of the importance of reading aloud to their children and provides an opportunity for the pediatrician to stress the importance of reading in the overall health and well-being of a child. The benefits of reading include faster language development, increased school readiness and fewer struggles at bedtime.

“We are grateful to the wonderful staff and the generous customers of Barnes & Noble for partnering with us to share the gift of literacy and knowledge during the holiday season,” said Pamela C. High, M.D., director of developmental behavioral pediatrics at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “The community has embraced the Read To Me program. Local schools have raised funds to purchase new books; community organizations have conducted book drives and book fairs; and local businesses have provided both monetary support and volunteers for reading.”

A family’s introduction to the Read To Me program begins in the waiting area of the pediatric outpatient clinic, where a group of hospital volunteers choose age- and language-appropriate books to read to children. Children are then given a book to take home. In the past year, more than 10,000 books have been handed out. Other supporters of the program include the national organizations Reading Is Fundamental and Reach Out and Read.

“We are proud to work with Hasbro Children’s Hospital to support their Read To Me program. The Holiday Book Drive is one of our most popular community partnerships,” said Katie Rendine, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble. “Our booksellers and customers get to share the pure joy of giving a book to a child. And because it is a local nonprofit, the donation is very personal.”

 

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LIFEcycle Raises $32,500 for Lifespan Cancer Programs

On November 12, LIFEcycle, Inc., presented a check totaling $32,500 for Lifespan cancer programs and a new clinical trial that will benefit cancer patients and their families at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Newport Hospital. LIFEcycle, to date, has donated more than $92,000 to Lifespan affiliates for cancer programs and research, raised by participants in the foundation’s annual Ride ’Round Rhody bike-athon. Sharon Benson and Joseph Centazzo and their team of 44 cyclists took part in the 2012 bike-athon and raised $14,000.

 

 L-R. Dani Sahner Brier and Jacob Brier, co-founders of LIFEcycle, Inc.; Howard Safran, MD, medical director of Lifespan Oncology Cancer Research and bike-athon participant; and Sharon Benson and Joseph Centazzo, co-captains of the Lifespan Care Team Cruisers and employees of Rhode Island Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Photo by Al Weems.

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Hasbro Children’s Hospital to Thank Walmart for Funds Raised
During Miracle Balloon Campaign

Local retailer raises funds for pediatric surgical suite renovations

On Tuesday, November 6, Hasbro Children’s Hospital thanked the Walmart regional team and the Walmart Foundation, in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, for their support in raising funds for the hospital’s newly renovated pediatric surgical suites. The money raised for Hasbro Children’s Hospital by Walmart stores through August 2012 is $369,395. Last year, the total raised was $212,899.

“Walmart is one of Hasbro Children’s Hospital’s most devoted corporate partners,” said Timothy J. Babineau, M.D., president and chief executive officer, Lifespan, and president, Rhode Island Hospital. “Through their generosity, Walmart associates, along with their community of caring customers, help us improve the health and well-being of thousands of children and families each and every day. Words cannot express our gratitude for their continued support.”

 

Representatives from Walmart’s regional office and market team join Hasbro Children’s Hospital leadership
for a check presentation to benefit the hospital’s newly renovated pediatric surgical suites.

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Stephen Gostkowski Visits Young Fans at Hasbro Children's Hospital

On November 5, 2012 Stephen Gostkowski made a visit to Hasbro Children's Hospital.

 

New England professional football player Stephen Gostkowski, founder of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Kick 4 Kids Club, with patient Russell Gundlach of Warwick, RI.

 

New England professional football player Stephen Gostkowski, founder of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Kick 4 Kids Club, with patient Ariana Kithes of Woonsocket, RI.

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Hasbro Children’s Hospital Dedicates the Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr.
Child Protection Center During Special Ceremony

Program to Treat Abused and Neglected Children is
Only One of its Kind in New England

On October 11, at a special ceremony on the Rhode Island Hospital campus, Hasbro Children’s Hospital formally dedicated its Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. Child Protection Center, celebrating 18 years of support that made this nationally recognized program possible.

Recognizing the need for a program to assess and treat abused and neglected children, Hasbro Children’s Hospital created the Child Protection Program in 1994 thanks to the support of Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr. and a dedicated team of advocates. Today, the program, led by Carole Jenny, M.D., an internationally recognized advocate for children and one of the nation’s foremost child abuse experts, is the only one of its kind in New England. The program annually treats upwards of 1,500 children, addressing all aspects of physical, emotional, sexual and medical abuse.

Shortly after Hasbro Children’s Hospital opening, Aubin spearheaded the initial efforts to raise $1.5 million to launch the program. To sustain this critical initiative Aubin has chaired the annual Hasbro Children’s Hospital Golf Invitational, which has raised more than $3.5 million since its inception.

 

Child advocates from across Rhode Island showed their support at the event, along with hospital leaders and the network of supporters of the Golf Invitational—a true testament to the power of collaboration to protect the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. Among the speakers was Janice DeFrances, director of the R.I. Department of Children, Youth & Families. Aubin received citations and commendations from Congressman David Cicilline and Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts also attended, as well as law enforcement officials who work closely with the Child Protection Center on child abuse cases.

“I’m grateful to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for the recognition—and even more grateful to Dr. Carole Jenny and her team for the vital work they do every day, and to the hundreds of people who help to raise the funds to keep the program going,” Aubin said. “This program is supported entirely through philanthropy, and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep it strong as long as there is a child in our region who needs our protection.”

Dr. Jenny said that she considers Aubin the program’s guardian angel: “His impact and influence have been tremendous, and his acts of kindness toward the vulnerable children in our care have been many.”

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Hasbro Children’s Hospital physician receives $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to support pediatric cancer research

Hospital has received $290,000 in support to date to better the quality of life for children with cancer

On Wednesday, July 18, Hyundai Hope On Wheels and Providence-area Hyundai dealers awarded Hasbro Children’s Hospital a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Nadine Sauer, M.D. The grant supports Dr. Sauer’s research work focusing on whether an individual’s genetic makeup can predict their vulnerability to chemotherapy-related toxicities. The goal is to modify treatments to minimize side effects. Hasbro Children’s Hospital is one of 43 recipients of the Hope On Wheels 2012 Hyundai Scholar Grant, which supports principal investigators—known as Hyundai Scholars—in their efforts to improve the lives of children battling pediatric cancer.

“Dr. Sauer’s research is a vital piece of the fight to find a cure for childhood cancer and to better the quality of life for children battling this disease,” said Cindy Schwartz, M.D., director of hematology/oncology at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. “Our institution has received $290,000 from Hope On Wheels since 2010, and Hyundai continues to be an important supporter of our pediatric cancer research program. Their investment in our work has made a tremendous impact.”

 

The $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to Dr. Sauer was officially presented during a Hope On Wheels handprint ceremony at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where children affected by cancer dipped their hands in colorful paint and placed their handprints on a new Hyundai Tucson, the official vehicle of the program. Every handprint ceremony celebrates the courageous lives of the children faced with cancer and brings Hope On Wheels’ community of supporters together.

In addition to the $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant, Hasbro Children’s Hospital is also being awarded with an additional up to $10,000 toward the purchase of personal technology and electronics as part of the Hyundai Hot Spot Award, which is designed to bolster hospital activities for teen patients.

“We see Hope On Wheels as a critical part of our mission at Hyundai,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America. “Pediatric cancer takes far too many young lives and impacts far too many families. We are proud to work with our Hyundai dealers to fund research to end this disease. We congratulate each doctor and institution receiving our grants, and commend them for the important work they are doing.”

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On Friday, June 1, Roger Williams Park Zoo, in partnership with Hasbro Children’s Hospital, hosted their annual Dreamnight at the Zoo.

DreamNight is an exclusive evening at the zoo where children with special health care needs such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and developmental conditions can enjoy the full zoo experience, along with their families, free of charge and without concern for social stigma, accessibility or cost.

Since 2004, Roger Williams Park Zoo has been hosting DreamNight at the Zoo for children with special health care needs and their families.

Thank you Roger Williams Park Zoo! What a great event!

Read all about the event and see photos...