Thursday, May 13, 2004 TODAY

LLU Children's Hospital news

• NASCAR race driver visits Children's Hospital patients
• Kids Care Fair highlights children's health

NASCAR race driver visits Children's Hospital patients

NASCAR driver Brett Thompson visits with Loma Linda University Children's Hospital patient 17-year-old Erin Snow, of Redlands. Ms. Snow, a junior at Redlands High School, was a patient at Children's Hospital for approximately two weeks.

NASCAR driver Brett Thompson made a special visit to the patients at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital on Friday, April 30, just prior to participating in the NASCAR racing event held at the California Speedway in Fontana. Mr. Thompson finished number seven in a field of 30 drivers in the NASCAR race.

A resident of Jerome, Idaho, Mr. Thompson's racing career has been on a fast track. He has demonstrated the ability to be competitive at every level of auto racing where he has chosen to compete.

The 26-year-old race driver makes it a point to visit children's hospitals in all the areas where he is competing.

"This is something I thoroughly enjoy," Mr. Thompson says. "The enthusiasm that the patients share is truly an inspiration to me and others."

From the short tracks of his native Idaho to the super speedways of the NASCAR Winston West circuit, Mr. Thompson, in a few short years, has evolved into a driver capable of being a contender at every track he visits. Born in Jerome, Idaho in 1977, he spent his early years concentrating on his education, but once he was presented with the opportunity to race, it was obvious that he was a natural.

"It was so gracious of Mr. Thompson to share his time with the patient at Children's Hospital," says 17-year-old patient Erin Snow of Redlands. "His visit made our day. Our long days in the hospital can be pretty dull."

Many of the ambulatory children met with Mr. Thompson in the lobby of Children's Hospital where he signed autographs and presented caps to the patients. His wife, Brooke, gave coloring books, crayons, and model racecars to the patients; later he visited with patients on several units who were unable to come to the lobby.

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Kids Care Fair highlights children's health

David Hernandez sits while Stephanie Callister, a first-year physician's assistant student, paints his arm.

On April 25, Loma Linda University Medical Center & Children's Hospital hosted the 12th Annual Kids Care Fair at Drayson Center. The event spanned the day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offered free immunizations, health screenings, and educational clinics for kids 2 months to 18 years old.

The Drayson Center's airconditioned facility provided a boon against the California sun, offering a cool place for children to receive free immunizations provided by the San Bernardino County Health Department.

Health screenings included blood pressure, dental health, fingerprinting, hearing, height/weight, respiratory, tuberculosis, scoliosis, and vision screening. There also were educational clinics and demonstrations throughout the day. Some of the topics included covered car seat and bicycle helmet safety, and fire safety. There was a wheelchair basketball game, and various prizes and giveaways were also raffled off throughout the day, including four bicycles.

The purpose of the event was to provide various health and dental screenings to children in the communities and to bring attention to various programs and services available for families in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The event was dedicated to children's health and other well-being issues.

Elijah Yap, 7, gets his helmet fitted by Michelle Parker from trauma support services at LLUMC.	Katie Tan, a volunteer at Kids Care Fair, measures 10-year-old Stephanie Moreno's blood pressure.
Daniel Esperante, 7, touches his toes at the scoliosis screening booth.	Anton Weit, a volunteer, fingerprints Charlie Carrigan, 4, at the Passport to Safety booth.

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Thursday, May 13, 2004 TODAY

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