It was six years ago that Children’s Health took over Our Children’s House from Baylor Scott and White Health. Made perfect sense, since BSWH focused on grown-up health and Children’s on to-be-grown-ups. Well, there’s been a big, old pat-you-on-the-back celebration taking place at Children’s Medical Center Foundation today. The “specialty hospital providing transitional pediatric care between acute-care hospitalization and home” on Empire Central is becoming a Panda Cares Center of Hope thanks to a $7.5M pledge by Panda Express‘ philanthropic arm Panda Cares.
A longtime partner of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the North Texas Panda Express guests and associates have raised nearly $1.6M for Children’s Health.”
According to Panda Restaurant Group Co-Founder/Co-CEO Dr. Peggy Cerng, “We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be able to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals. Children are our future, and we hope that through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.”
Like Centers of Hope across the nation, Our Children’s House will “inspire hope and promote healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Programs offered at the Children’s Health Panda Cares Center of Hope will include patient family education, support groups and strength and reflection activities, all of which are designed to give children the ability and courage to thrive.”
As Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent Christopher put it, “Panda Express’ compassion for our young patients and their families directly impacts our mission to make life better for children. We are honored to open the Children’s Health Panda Cares Center of Hope and develop programming that will benefit some of our most vulnerable patients and acknowledge Panda Express as one of our most generous corporate partners.”
Don’t you just know the Children’s team is celebrating this afternoon with the Original Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp?
* Photo courtesy of Panda Express