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Source: Janet Basu
415-476-2557
13 September 2004
UCSF Children's Hospital and "Little Wishes" join together to bring joy to young patients
WHEN: 11:15 am, Tuesday, September 14
WHERE: UCSF Children's Hospital, 505 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco
WHAT: Inauguration of the "Little Wishes" program at UCSF Children's Hospital.
MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM and leaders from UCSF and "Little Wishes" will welcome the program's supporters with a party in the All Stars courtyard at UCSF Children's Hospital. The Mayor will visit some patients' hospital rooms as these children receive the gifts that fill their wishes.
Founded by two pediatric nurses, "Little Wishes" is an all-volunteer program found only in San Francisco. Volunteers bring joy to hospitalized children by granting special requests made by the child -- a new toy or doll, a book or DVD, sometimes a special visitor. At the 180-bed UCSF Children's Hospital -- California's top-ranked pediatric hospital -- "Little Wishes" enhances the continuing work of Child Life specialists as they help children and families cope through play, school and emotional support. See Little Wishes and UCSF Children's Hospital Health News
PHOTO AND STORY OPPORTUNITIES
11:15 - 11:30 AM: Informal interviews about the Little Wishes program. Little Wishes founders LAURA EUPHRAT, RN and JOANNE DAVANTES, RN, plus UCSF Child Life specialists MICHAEL TOWNE and EVE ALLEY and some PATIENTS and PARENTS tell how the small gestures -- a song, a story, a special wish granted -- can brighten patients' lives.
11:30 - 11:40 AM: SF Mayor GAVIN NEWSOM, UCSF Medical Center CEO MARK LARET and Little Wishes co-founder LAURA EUPHRAT, RN will inaugurate the program and thank supporters -- including top Bay Area business and cultural leaders.
11:40 - 12:15 PM: MAYOR NEWSOM joins in as "Little Wishes" are granted to children in their hospital rooms. Media are invited, one or two cameras per visit, on a first-come, first served basis. Wish-granting will continue as late as 1:00 pm.
NOTE TO REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Come to the main entrance of UCSF Children's Hospital / UCSF Medical Center at 505 Parnassus Avenue. A UCSF escort will take you to the Children's Hospital All Stars Courtyard. Escorts are available on a first-come, first served basis.
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