SYRACUSE, NEW YORK; –The Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands, today announced that it will be bringing joy to pediatric patients at the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital with a special delivery of Starlight Gowns.
The Joy in Childhood Foundation’s custom Starlight Gowns are high-quality, comfortable hospital gowns designed to look like fun and colorful superhero costumes that kids can wear while undergoing treatment.
In addition to delivering the Starlight Gowns, Central New York Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees will provide activities for the pediatric patients at Update Golisano Children’s Hospital, including donut decorating, along with a donation of warm fleece hats.
“The benefits of partnerships like this can’t be measured. Events like the Day of Joy celebration not only help patients manage a difficult hospitalization, but it also helps their siblings and family members. For a parent to see their child experience feelings of happiness and elation is critical for the emotional well being of the family unit. It breaks up a day that may be filled with doctor visits, procedures, and treatments. It gives families an opportunity to breathe and smile. We are grateful to the Joy in Childhood Foundation, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins for showering us with kindness,” said Kathleen Paice Froio, manager of public and media relations at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Margaret Nellis, Child Life Program Manager at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital says, “Being in the hospital can be incredibly stressful for patients and their families. Partnering with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to bring this Day of Joy event our kids makes being in the hospital fun. Decorating donuts and receiving a super hero hospital gown of your own will turn frowns in to smiles. We are filled with gratitude.”
To date, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has distributed nearly 10,000 Starlight Gowns to pediatric patients in hospitals across the country. This delivery is part of the Joy in Childhood Foundation’s three-year, $1.5 million commitment to Starlight Children’s Foundation, which includes support of the charity’s Starlight Gown program.
“We’re proud to support Starlight Children’s Foundation and give children in hospitals, such as Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, who are living with illnesses access to Starlight Gowns, which come in fun, colorful designs that are meant to make them feel like superheroes, even on their most difficult days,” said Karen Raskopf, Co-Chair of the Joy in Childhood Foundation.
The Joy in Childhood Foundation provides the simple joys of childhood to sick and hungry kids. Since 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has been deeply embedded in communities across the country and has donated more than $16 million to hundreds of national and local charities.
To learn more about the Joy in Childhood Foundation, please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/JoyInChildhoodFoundation/.
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About the Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by the Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands, provides the simple joys of childhood to sick and hungry kids. The Foundation brings together a wide range of stakeholders—including franchisees, crew members, employees, partners and guests —and partners with food banks, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations directly committed to serving sick and hungry kids to fund joyful environments, joyful experiences and joyful expressions to ensure that children whose lives are compromised by hunger or sickness have the support and essential services to find joy in their daily lives. Since launching in 2006, the Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $16 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
Starlight creates moments of comfort and joy for hospitalized kids and their families. For 35 years, Starlight’s programs have positively impacted more than 60 million critically, chronically and terminally ill or injured children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. With your help, more kids and their families will enjoy Starlight Gowns, Starlight Fun Centers and other Starlight programs at a children’s hospital or facility near you. Support Starlight’s work by visiting www.starlight.org and by following Starlight on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital opened in 2009, with the mission to provide safe, effective, innovative and family centered care for children in the Central New York region. Today we serve children and families across 17 counties and treat over 100,000 pediatric encounters per year. As the Region’s only Level 1 Trauma and Burn center, Upstate offers a complete range of health care services for children from birth to 19 years of age. Our dedicated pediatric providers and staff care for patients in an inpatient setting that consists of General Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery Unit, Hematology/ Oncology, and the only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in our large referral area and the only dedicated pediatric Emergency Department between Rochester and Vermont. In addition, the Children’s Hospital offers full spectrum of ambulatory services including primary care and several nationally recognized specialty medical care programs. Our commitment to providing quality care with a constant eye on patient safety and exceptional patient and family experience is evident in our culture. We recognize that family partnerships are essential to enhancing health outcomes of children in both inpatient and ambulatory environments. Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital recruits, retains and invests in the very best people to care for pediatric patients and families across Central New York. Upstate strives to promote wellness and safety for children and families in the communities we serve.