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Monday, August 15, 2005

University Medical Center Children’s Center “Hits the Jackpot” with Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank

Young patients are enjoying an unexpected treat during their hospital visits to University Medical Center Children’s Center. Approximately $50,000 worth of toys were recently shipped to the Children’s Center pediatric staff to be distributed to the youngsters courtesy of Kids Wish Network, an Oldsmar Florida based national charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. Each and every child entering the hospital for treatment will receive a brand new toy from the Holiday of Hope Gift Bank.

Nevada Power Company is the presenting sponsor of the event. Nevada Power is the electric utility company for most of southern Nevada, and is a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources. “Nevada Power is proud to partner with Kids Wish Network and University Medical Center to provide toys to children receiving treatment at their hospital," said Pat Shalmy, President, Nevada Power Company. "We hope that these special toys bring them comfort and joy when they need it the most."

But the Gift Bank doesn’t just stop with giving toys away to each child! In addition, Kids Wish Network donated toys for the hospital’s playroom; these special toys will remain there to entertain children for years to come. Clark and Sullivan is the Contributing Sponsor of toys for the hospital’s playroom. Clark & Sullivan Construction is the general contractor for the $57 Million Northeast Tower Expansion currently underway at UMC. Ron Vollman, Director of Project Development, stated, “It is our genuine privilege to be a sponsor of the local Kids Wish Network Program, as we here at Clark & Sullivan sure can’t think of anything better than making kids smile! We look forward to future participation in the program.”

Kids Wish Network’s Holiday of Hope Gift Bank is an uplifting, gift-giving program that brings cheer to children admitted to the hospital for treatment. The Gift Bank provides emergency rooms, pediatric units, and other children’s care facilities with age appropriate toys that offer a welcome distraction to young patients from upsetting and often-traumatic medical experiences. Emergency units and hospital rooms can be frightening places for children, and these special toys bring them comfort and joy when they need it the most.

These wonderful toys not only benefit kids who are coming in for just a brief visit, but also the children who may be spending longer periods of time due to more complicated injuries or illnesses. A soft, plush toy can quickly dry the eyes of a child getting stitches or having a broken arm set; books, puzzles, and games provide an enjoyable diversion to lengthy hospital stays. Pediatric doctors and nurses all agree that sometimes a smile can be the very best medicine.

Shannon Giejda, Child Life Specialist for University Medical Center, echoed this thought. "As a child life specialist, part of our job is to create a fun and child-friendly environment for the pediatric patients. With wonderful donations from great organizations, like KWN, it only makes my job that much easier. When I am able to give a child a toy when they are in the hospital, the hospital doesn't seem as scary to them."

University Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine, is the premier teaching hospital in the state. The medical center serves the medical needs of Southern Nevada and parts of California, Utah and Arizona as well as the millions of visitors to fabulous Las Vegas every year.

Kids Wish Network is our nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know of a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, or a hospital that could benefit from its Holiday of Hope, please call (813) 891-9374 or toll free at (888) 918-9004.

For more information on Kids Wish Network’s programs and upcoming events, and for information on how you can get involved in helping to make dreams come true for these courageous kids, please visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.

Contact Information:
Cheryl Persinger
(702) 383-2090
Cheryl.Persinger@umcsn.com
University Medical Center
1800 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102