LOS ANGELES, April 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Board of Trustees has raised $556,128,214, as of April 20, 2006, to make it possible for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to continue "...its wonderful work with the children and families of Greater Los Angeles -- and children everywhere," according to board co-chairs Marion Anderson and Walter B. Rose.
The $556 million is believed to be unprecedented among freestanding children's hospitals in the United States. The total raised to date was announced at the Annual Board Retreat at the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif., (April 22) on Saturday.
Mrs. Anderson and her husband, John, of Bel Air, and Mr. Rose, and his wife, Kathy, of Pasadena, have been co-chairs of Living Proof: The Campaign for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, a $500 million campaign for new facilities as well as for endowment, program and annual support. The Campaign for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles was publicly announced on April 13, 2003.
"What we have accomplished here is unprecedented in the hospital's history and among the freestanding children's hospitals in the United States," Mrs. Anderson said. "But the need is so great at the hospital -- there are so many terribly sick and seriously injured children and families to serve -- that we must continue to support this special place of hope and healing and encourage others to do so."
Children admitted to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles come from Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties -- and throughout the United States and around the world.
Childrens Hospital physicians are recognized as leaders. Its treatments set the standard of care. Its research is recognized worldwide.
"Children are America's most precious resource, and those who support Childrens Hospital Los Angeles have come to know the enormous value of its patient care, teaching, and research," Mr. Rose said, "all of which make Childrens Hospital invaluable, not only to the people of Los Angeles but to children and families everywhere."
Mr. Rose said that the trustees are "...committed to continuing to raise funds for the 460,000 square-foot, 280-bed New Hospital Building, which will open at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles in 2009." He said that it will be the finest medical and surgical environment for seriously ill and injured children anywhere in the United States, and it will also improve seismic performance to not only withstand a major earthquake, but be fully operational after a major seismic event to meet the 2030 standard mandated by California law.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "Through outstanding patient care, research, education and community outreach, (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles) has touched the lives of countless patients and their families.
"Thank you," he said, "for helping future generations to grow and prosper."
"I applaud your...dedication to caring for our city's youth," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the hospital trustees. "They are our future leaders...and your important work is ensuring not only their future but our city's as well."
Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-31) said to the hospital trustees, "On behalf of the people of Los Angeles, and as the father of three healthy and vibrant girls, I would like to thank you for your leadership and invaluable contributions to our fine city. I applaud your indefatigable dedication to caring for our youth...our future.
"You breathe hope and promise into the lives of countless young people," he said, adding, "Because of you, no one can walk the halls of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and not be inspired by, and more importantly, 'hooked' on the mission of the hospital."
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said, "I want you to know that the time, talent and energies you have given to this special place of hope and healing is deeply appreciated throughout the region...and you certainly have earned the respect and gratitude of the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County.
"I know how committed you are to building the magnificent New Hospital on Sunset Boulevard," he said, "...and I know how important it will be in the lives of the sickest, most seriously injured children of our community."
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti said, "I have such a special place in my heart for Childrens...and I know it well. It has done so much for so many of the city's children over the years.
"And, the marvelous thing is," he said, "the research conducted at The Saban Research Institute is important to children throughout the United States and around the world.
"To all, you are very, very special people," Mr. Garcetti said. "What you have done...what you have accomplished...is unprecedented...and it hasn't gone unnoticed."
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles President and CEO Richard D. Cordova said, "Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has attracted the very best pediatric physicians and surgeons, nurses and other caregivers.
"Now, our commitment is to improve and expand our facilities, endow important clinical treatment and research programs and provide annual support to meet our patient care, teaching and research responsibilities well into the future," he said. "We are doing well in accomplishing that task," he said, "due in large part to the generosity of others."
On May 18, 2001, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles dedicated the Marion and John E. Anderson Building, which celebrates the spirit of children, adolescents and families and includes the Burtie Green Bettingen Surgery Center -- 14 state-of-the-art operating rooms, special procedure units, recovery facilities and the Associates Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, where certain procedures can be performed more quickly with less pain and faster recovery time.
On June 29, 2003, the hospital dedicated The Saban Research Institute of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and the new 88,500 square-foot, state-of-the-art research laboratory facilities as the Saban Research Building in recognition of Cheryl and Haim Saban's "...commitment to the children and families of Los Angeles and children everywhere." The Saban Research Institute is among the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States, and it is one of the few free-standing research centers in the nation to combine scientific inquiry with patient clinical care -- dedicated exclusively to children. Its base of knowledge is widely considered to be among the best in pediatric medicine.
New underground parking facilities opened in June 2004 and are covered by the Joyce and Stanley Black and Family Healing and Meditation Garden.
The Campaign for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has also provided funding for the Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, one of the nation's largest pediatric hematology/oncology programs; the Heart Institute, known throughout the world as a leader in the treatment of pediatric heart disease, with the most advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities available in cardiology, cardio thoracic surgery, cardio thoracic transplantation and intensive care, as well as innovation in cardiac research; the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, at the forefront of patient care, basic and clinical research in diabetes, obesity, growth, bone metabolism and endocrinology; the Childrens Orthopaedic Center, one of the nation's most comprehensive programs dedicated to pediatric musculoskeletal care, education and research; the Childrens Brain Center, which brings pulling together physicians and scientists with world-class expertise in pediatric neurology, neuropsychology, neurosurgery, neuroimaging, neuroophthalmology, neuropathology, rehabilitation, developmental linguistics, genetics and neuropsychiatry; and the Center for Learning.
It has also supported various emerging programs, including the Institute for Maternal-Fetal Health, the Laura P. and Leland K. Whittier Virtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chase Child Life and the Vision Center, as well as provided unrestricted and annual support.
The New Hospital Building at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will include an Emergency Department; state-of-the-art imaging facilities; a Cancer Day Hospital, a 61-bed acute care Hematology/Oncology unit and a 14-bed Bone Marrow Transplant unit; a 24-bed Cardiothoracic Intensive care Unit and a 21-bed acute heart unit; a 24-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; and a 40-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which will house the Center for Newborn and Infant Critical Care. There will be 96 additional medical and surgical acute care beds. It will also include numerous amenities for children and families, including a Family Resource Center, gardens, a play area, a cafe, outdoor dining, a convenience store and family lounges.
"These new facilities have been years in the making and represent the collective thought of doctors, nurses, patients and their parents, architects and many, many others who have brought their unique perspective to the task -- to design facilities that will support the most advanced medical and surgical practice available, anywhere," said Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart, a member of the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Board of Trustees and co-chair of the New Hospital Campaign Committee. "When we complete the construction, these facilities will enable us to meet our patient care responsibilities well into the future."
"There is enormous need for the expertise available at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles," said Chris Albrecht, chairman and CEO of HBO, and co-chair of the New Hospital Campaign Committee, whose seriously injured daughter was airlifted and treated at the hospital six years ago. "Only if we support this remarkable place of hope and healing now can we ensure that the exceptional care for children we have come to depend on here in Los Angeles will be there when we need it most in the future."
"The one-hundred-plus year history of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is an ongoing story of how exceptional leaders advance and even transform a community," said, Walter W. Noce, Jr., former president and CEO, who is now a vice chairman of the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Board of Trustees and heavily involved in fundraising. "This hospital was founded at a time when few people thought a hospital for children was possible, let alone that it could evolve into one of the world's top pediatric facilities.
"Now, at the beginning of the hospital's second century, the commitment of our volunteer leadership to the children and families of Los Angeles -- and children everywhere -- has never been stronger," he said. "They know we have the very best people at Childrens -- physicians and caregivers alike."
Founded in 1901, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in Los Angeles for more than a century, and it is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. Childrens Hospital is one of America's premier teaching hospitals, affiliated with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California for more than 73 years. It is a national leader in pediatric research.
Since 1990, U.S.News & World Report and its panel of board-certified pediatricians have named Childrens Hospital Los Angeles one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation. Child magazine also ranked Childrens Hospital Los Angeles among the Top Ten children's hospitals in America in its February 2005 issue.
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