When donors consider a gift to Children's Hospital Central California, they often ask me how their money is used to support the Hospital.  There are dozens of areas that are impacted by contributions. 

One of those areas is our Child Life program.  This unfunded service helps children and adolescents understand and manage their healthcare experiences.  Our Child Life specialists meet with about 9,000 families each year, teaching patients relaxation exercises or engaging them in medical play to ease the emotional discomfort that often accompanies a hospital stay.

On other occasions, I talk about our amazing medical transport services, which has grown to conduct more than 850 ground transfers and nearly 500 helicopter transfers per year within a 45,000-square-mile service area.

Below, you will see additional initiatives we - thanks to you - are funding.

Here at Children's, we make responsible stewardship an utmost priority.  Thank you for partnering with us to help provide the very best for our KIDS!

Sincerely, 

Jim Miller

Vice President Foundation

and Chief Development Officer 

Child Life

Child Life Specialists help children understand and cope with hospitalization whether it is helping a child and family prepare for surgery or helping a kid be a kid through play.  We focus on the developmental needs of children, through education, play and emotional support for patients and their families.  

• Ten specialists provide attention and care 8 hours per day, 5 days per week  
• One dedicated specialist works in Emergency and Imaging
• Over 7,000 patients were seen in 2012
• Current cost, approximately $600,000 per year

Transport

We are dedicated to the safe transport of infants and children from throughout California.  We have specialized experience in transporting neonatal and pediatric patients between hospitals and many destinations.

Chaplains 

We offer spiritual, religious and emotional support that is culturally sensitive to all patients, families, visitors, employees and physicians regardless of religion, creed, race, gender, nationality or beliefs.  The Spiritual Support Services Team is comprised of chaplains, volunteers and community spiritual leaders. 

We have a need to expand our Chaplaincy program throughout the week and make them available to our transport team.

Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program

Fifty years ago a fraction of children diagnosed with cancer experienced a positive outcome. Today however: 

• Nearly 85% become long-term survivors
• Treatments can put patients at risk for long-term health problems
• Effects can occur early on or decades later
• Comprehensive physical, social and mental assessments are needed
• 240 are currently enrolled and 180 are on the waiting list 

Children's Hospital Level III NICU at Saint Agnes Medical Center

To continue to ensure a healthy future for the Valley's at-risk pregnant moms and their babies, and keep premature and/or ill newborns together with their moms in the hospital, we are enhancing our NICU at SAMC to a level III:

• Current NICU - Level II 722 sq. ft. 6-bed nursery established 1985 
• Renovation began in March to build a  new 4,167 sq. ft. 8-bed Level III unit