TODAY news - February 21, 2002

Thursday, February 21, 2002 TODAY

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital news

Walter's Children's Charity Classic raises $200,000 for LLUCH

Cathy and Steve Kienle, owners of Walter's Mercedes (second and third from left), present a check for $200,000 to Nancy Varner, chair of the Children's Hospital Foundation; and George Voigt, member, Children's Hospital Foundation Board.

Eight areas from the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital benefited from the sixth annual Walter's Children's Charity Classic golf tournament. Spearheaded by Walter's Mercedes, more than 60 sponsors made possible a lump-sum gift of $200,000 to the Children's Hospital, presented to Patti Cotton Pettis, director of the Children's Hospital Foundation, on February 11.

The NICU, pre-admission, pediatric acute care, pediatrics cardiac, pediatric transport, children's emergency department, and diabetes center all received money from the donation for equipment and program support. Steve Kienle, owner of Walter's Mercedes, was pleased to present the check on behalf of the contributing businesses who sponsored the event.

“It's our privilege to be associated with a world-renowned institution,” Mr. Kienle said of the Children's Hospital. “But it's not about the money—it's about making a difference in these children's lives.”

Michael Billings, a 13-year-old oncology patient at Children's Hospital, showed the sponsors what a difference they made. He and his child life specialist, Alisha Alanis-Ayala, came to thank the donors.

Michael told how he used the STARBRIGHT™ computers to meet other kids and intravenous poles to get around the hospital.

Verena Gracia-Medrano, a recent mother of an NICU baby, expressed how comfortable she felt having her child in the care of Children's Hospital because of the advanced care possible through similar donations.

Ricardo Peverini, MD, chief of the division of neonatology, thanked the donors, noting that seven different areas of the NICU were able to improve the quality of care possible through the donation.

The Walter's Children's Charity Classic coalition of sponsors stand next to the donors board in recognition of the $200,000 raised for the Children's Hospital.

Zareh Sarrafian, MBA, senior vice president for Loma Linda University Medical Center, and administrator, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, revealed the true value of the gift. Mr. Sarrafian pointed out that California hospitals receive 30 percent less funding compared to other states. It would take a gargantuan effort on behalf of the Children's Hospital to produce a $200,000 bottom line, most likely sacrificing the “hi-touch” care, which, according to John Mace, MD, chair of the pediatric department, sets LLUCH apart.

Nancy Varner, chair of the Children's Hospital Foundation board, joined the crowd in appreciation of the funds generated by the Walter's Classic, and thanked the sponsors for their “dedication to children across the globe.”

Mr. Kienle responded in kind, and challenged the group with the goal of raising $1 million from the golf tournament by 2004. With $670,000 raised in the past six years, the tournament has grown progressively from its initial 1996 season with $50,000 donated, to the 2001 tournament raising $200,000.

|Top|

Dialysis patients get back to life

by Michael Cervantes, MA, MSW, LCSW

At 17, Lori Hartwell wasn't able to sustain all of the social activities that her peers engaged in. In fact, she wasn't even able to attend school on a regular basis. Her failing kidneys had taken their toll and the time demands of dialysis were soon comparable to that of a part-time job.

School credits could always be made up. Ms. Hartwell was able to complete academic classes on her own through home schooling. But there were other events that could not be adapted to her schedule—sporting matches, speech debates, and most significantly, the senior prom.

But with the turn of the millennium, that all changed. In January of 2000, Ms. Hartwell used donations from her non-profit organization, the Renal Support Network, to fund the first Renal Prom for young people living with kidney disease. The main purpose of the event is to provide teenagers the opportunity to meet other teenagers with renal disease. Since its inaugural success, it has become an annual event.

This year, the event was held at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks with the honor society becoming a major sponsor. On January 20, approximately 140 kidney patients and their guests attended the event. Ms. Hartwell always schedules the event on a Sunday so it will not conflict with any routine dialysis schedules.

This year, three teenagers who receive dialysis treatments at the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital pediatric unit had planned to attend. However, one had to be hospitalized two days prior to the event and another had to work late.

Michael Cervantes, MA, MSW, LCSW, social worker for the dialysis program at LLUCH, along with Jeff Davies, a sales representative who received a kidney transplant 10 years ago, chauffeured Pete Elevario, a current dialysis patient at the Children's Hospital, his friend, and another teen from Riverside who is also on dialysis to the high school social highlight. This was the first time any LLUCH patients were able to attend.

Mathew, a dialysis patient, didn't allow his wheelchair to hold him back from having fun. He was one of several kidney patients who took advantage of the 15-minute complementary limo ride that cruised down Ventura Boulevard. His evening was topped off when he heard his name called as the winner of a mystery door prize.

Mr. Cervantes says that this event allows the teens to come out of their shell. “Patients often feel like there is a stigma that comes with kidney disease. This event allows them to let their guard down and just have fun,” he says. In fact, Mr. Cervantes took pictures of the event and put up a display in the LLUCH pediatric dialysis unit. Many of the patients have expressed an interest in going next year.

Ms. Hartwell says the message the event conveys is that kidney patients are not alone. The event provides a non-threatening environment where young kidney patients can interact, make new friends, and just have fun.

At the night's close, everyone agreed the event was worthwhile and a huge success. Seeing the endless smiles on the guests' faces was reward enough for the volunteers, and the kidney patients enjoyed a night out that may never have been. Mr. Cervantes plans to attend next year and hopes enough LLUCH dialysis patients go to make him rent a van.

|Top| [February 21, 2002 TODAY] [Children's Hospital]

[News and media page]