WINTER 2014

Inside this Issue17th Annual Toy Drive ............... 2

Upcoming Events ...................... 3

Tale of Triumph Over Cancer ...4-5

Gala Benefits GI Division .......... 7

Kidscard Sales Show “Heart” .... 7

Be a Partner in Caring ............... 8

Welcome to Partners in CaringWelcome to the Partners in Caring, a quarterly publication of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, prepared especially for friends and patient families of Connecticut Children’s. Read on to learn more about the many programs and services the hospital provides and about our generous friends and donors who help make it happen.

“Vying” Against Cancer . . .

Convenient, Family-Friendly

Ambulatory Surgery Center Opens in Farmington

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F R O M C O N N E C T I C U T C H I L D R E N ’ S M E D I C A L C E N T E R F O U N D A T I O N

Connecticut Children’s Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington opened its doors for outpatient surgery on Oct. 16, 2013. (Photo Credit: Michael McCarter)

Connecticut Children’s new Ambulatory Surgery Center opened its doors to the public Oct. 16, 2013, ushering in the availability of convenient, pediatric outpatient surgery to the Farmington region.

From orthopaedic surgeries to ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures, Connecticut Children’s Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington – located at 505 Farmington Ave. – offers an array of outpatient surgical services that also include General Surgery, Urology and Sports Medicine.

For Todd and Leslie

‘TIS THE SEASON

DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY

GASTROENTEROLOGY & GI SURGERY

NEONATOLOGY

ORTHOPEDICS

PULMONOLOGY

UROLOGY

Mather, it was a broken elbow that brought them to the family-friendly facility in its first few days of operation. Their 8-year-old son, Reid, had broken his elbow during hockey practice and needed surgery to repair it.

“It was sort of a freak accident,” Leslie said. “Reid was at hockey practice and he put his arm out to break his fall, and his elbow went in the wrong direction.”

In keeping with tradition, Connecticut State Police Troop H will conduct its annual Toy Drive Dec. 19-22, 2013, to benefit patients who visit the Emergency Department at Connecticut Children’s during the holidays and throughout the year. Above, Sgt. Mike Pendleton, a long-time Toy Drive organizer, and Detective Paul Calafiore (l-r) present toys to Jocelyn Espeleta and Kylie Witherill following the 2012 Toy Drive. Learn more about the annual event on page 2.

See story page 4

2.

Driven to Serve. . .

Connecticut State Police Toy Drive to Celebrate 17th Year of Giving For the past 16 years, troopers from Troop H of the Connecticut State Police have been as busy as Santa’s elves carrying out their annual December Toy Drive.

With assistance from the Ambulance Service of Manchester (ASM) and Aetna Ambulance, the troopers have collected more than $190,000 in cash donations and more than half a million toys to benefit children who find themselves in the Emergency Department (ED) at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during the holidays and throughout the year.

In 2013, approximately 40 troopers from the Hartford barracks, along with personnel from the ambulance services, will take their posts at three area Toys ‘R’ Us stores in Manchester, Newington and West Hartford December 19-22 to uphold what has become an annual holiday tradition and one of the most visible community service programs in the state.

“Troop H is proud to support Connecticut Children’s in this way,” said Community Police Sgt. Stephen Samson, who has helped organize the project since his arrival at Troop H four years ago. “I believe this is a very important event, not only for the children, but also for all the people involved to give joy to many kids who may be sad or scared while being at the hospital.”

Program Growth Trooper First Class (TFC) Todd Gauvin, who has been involved with the Toy Drive since 2001, has witnessed the program’s growth and success firsthand. “When I first started, it was called ‘Stuff-A-Cruiser,’” he said. “Now, we fill ambulances, a U-Haul and a storage facility. The ambulance services have been a huge help,” he added.

Last year was a record-breaking year for the Toy Drive with approximately 60,000 toys and $18,000 in donations collected. In the past, monetary donations have been used by Troop H to purchase items such as television sets for the ED and electronic games to occupy children while they wait or undergo treatment.

“Our goal this year is to exceed last year’s total,” said Trooper Gauvin. “You always want to do better than the year before. We hope to have good weather and a good response.”

This year’s Toy Drive will take place at the Toys ‘R’ Us stores in Manchester, Newington and West Harford on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19-20, from 4-9 p.m.; on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“One hundred percent of the toys go to the Medical Center,” he noted. “We try to collect enough that every kid who goes into the hospital through the ED gets something, including brothers and sisters.”

A Smile Says It All From stuffed animals to puzzles and toy cars, the donations collected by the Toy Drive are used to distract, cheer and engage children from what might otherwise be a stressful visit to the ED.

“I have enjoyed delivering toys to the children,” said Sgt. Samson. “The smile you receive from the kids is the best gift.”

“We are so grateful to Troop H and to ASM and Aetna Ambulance for their dedication to this cause,” said Connecticut Children’s Foundation President Martha Schall. “Thanks to their efforts – and to the generosity of the public – we are able to put smiles on the faces of children when they really need one,” she said.

For more information about the Connecticut State Police Troop H Toy Drive, contact the Foundation at 860.837.5700, or visit our website at www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org.

Above, Connecticut State Police Troopers and personnel from Aetna Ambulance Service and Ambulance Service of Manchester deliver toys collected from the annual Troop H Toy Drive to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

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Upcoming Events in Support of Connecticut Children’s Connecticut State Police Troop H Toy Drive Dec. 19 – Dec. 22, 2013 Ring in some holiday cheer – and put a smile on the face of a young child – this year by donating a new toy to the 17th annual Connecticut State Police Troop H Toy Drive. The Toy Drive will be held Thursday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Toys “R” Us locations in Newington, West Hartford and Manchester. Hours are from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Ambulance Service of Manchester and Aetna Ambulance Service are partnering with Troop H to collect and deliver the toys to Connecticut Children’s for distribution to children who are seen in the Emergency Department during the holidays and throughout the year.

HuskyTHON 2014 Feb. 15-16, 2014 In February, University of Connecticut students will once again join together in the Hugh S. Greer Field House on the Storrs campus for the 15th annual HuskyTHON. This 18-hour dance marathon will be a culmination of a year-long fundraising effort by the students to fund the waiting room in the soon-to-be renovated Cardiovascular Care Center. Last year, more than 1,600 dancers and 40 patient-families showed off their rhythmic skills to raise in excess of $343,000 for Connecticut Children’s. This year’s goal is $500,000!

National Pancake Day March 4, 2014 IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants, will partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 4. During this event, more than 1500 IHOP locations invite guests to enjoy a free short stack of its signature buttermilk pancakes and, in return, give a suggested donation of $5 per stack. Leading into National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants will sell Miracle Balloons to guests to help generate publicity for National Pancake Day, as well as gather additional donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. One hundred percent of all donations from IHOP locations in the Hartford / New Haven area will benefit Connecticut Children’s.

UNICO Dinner March 15, 2014 The Avon Chapter of UNICO, an Italian-American Service Organization, will host its annual Dinner at the Farmington Club on Saturday, March 15. Proceeds from the event will benefit Connecticut Children’s. The 2013 fundraiser featured dinner, dancing, silent auctions and a special tribute to Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly with Me,” raising $10,000 for the Medical Center. Event leaders presented a check to Marty Gavin, president and CEO of Connecticut Children’s (center), in May.

To learn more about these events and opportunities to support Connecticut Children’s, log on to www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org, or call the Foundation at 860.837.5700.

4.

Dancing in the Rain & Vying for the Kids. . .

Kelly Ray Shares Personal Tale of Triumph Over Cancer

These days, Kelly Ray finds herself “dancing in the rain” – as well as walking, running, surfing and participating in other activities that require physical endurance and stamina.

In fact, there is little that stops this ambitious sixth grader from maintaining a positive outlook and an active lifestyle, despite losing her lower left leg to osteosarcoma – a rare form of cancer of the bone – in November 2012.

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass,” she so wisely says. “It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

On Oct. 5, 2013, Kelly – the 11-year-old daughter of Matthew and Carolyn Ray – participated in the annual vie for the kids 6k Trail Run/Walk in Simsbury to benefit clinical trials for pediatric cancer and blood disorders at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

The event, held at the picturesque Ethel Walker Woods in Simsbury, was followed by a Feast at the Farm dinner reception at the Rosedale Farms & Vineyards, raising more than $115,000 for the Medical Center’s Clinical Trials Program for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Kelly’s Story “Less than a month after I had turned 10, and when I was in the middle of my second sailing regatta, I was T-boned by another sailor,” said Kelly, who walked the 6k trail during the day and then shared her personal tale of triumph

over cancer with attendees at the dinner reception that evening. “I literally went flying and my left shin landed full-force on an upright board in my boat.

“After my accident in July, my leg swelled and became black and blue,” she said. I had a cut that ran diagonally across my shin and it hurt, but not enough to cause a limp or to prevent me from continuing with my sailing, biking and other summer activities…Strangely, near the end of August, my leg started to hurt on and off again. The pain wasn’t constant, but occasionally came after busy days that were full of activities. Then, Mom and I noticed that a swelling seemed to be coming back near the top of the shin, not anywhere near where I had hit it before…”

On Aug. 27, 2012, Kelly had an X-ray taken and two days later, her life had changed forever. A biopsy revealed that she had cancer – an osteosarcoma or cancer of the bone – in her left tibia. The tumor was long and extended from Kelly’s growth plate near her knee down to the area above her ankle.

A Parent’s Perspective “The diagnosis was heart-breaking,” said her mother Carolyn, who is an oncologist at Saint Francis/Mount Sinai Regional Cancer Center. “Because of my background, the instant I saw the imaging studies, I knew what lay ahead. As a parent and oncologist, it was like having my worst nightmare flash before my eyes. I choked back tears on

Kelly was among hundreds of people who took part in the annual vie for the kids 6k Trail Run/Walk in Simsbury to benefit clinical trials for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. Walking along with family and friends – including her mom, Carolyn, with their dog, Buddy – Kelly completed the 6k route in 1 hour and seven minutes. (Page 1 photo: Kelly receives a hug from Michael Isakoff, MD, her hematologist/oncologist at Connecticut Children’s.)

5.

each and every word, as I tried to explain where we were headed to my husband. It was utterly devastating,” she said.

“There was true, visceral pain that came with the diagnosis,” Carolyn continued. “When it’s your own child, the ache was so deep and profound. But, at the same time, Matt and I knew that we had to stay strong and positive to support Kelly through her aggressive, life-altering treatments and out to the ‘light on the other side of the dark forest.’

“In truth, it was Kelly’s faith, strength and bravery that carried us all the way,” she said.

A Rare Cancer “When I met Kelly and her family, they came to me knowing that there was an abnormality that was likely to be malignant,” said Michael Isakoff, MD, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Connecticut Children’s. At the hospital’s Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, about two to three cases of osteosarcoma are seen each year. “It’s a rare type of cancer,” he said.

While not all osteosarcomas require amputation, on Sept. 24, Kelly learned that it would be the best course of action in her case. “Words cannot begin to describe how I felt when I first learned what I was in for,” Kelly recalled. “Although my parents and my doctors agreed upon the very difficult but necessary surgery I would need, my team encouraged my family to seek other opinions so that we would all be comfortable with the plan.”

After meeting with other experts in Boston and New York, Kelly said she wanted to return home. “I wanted to get back home to my team at Connecticut Children’s.”

On Nov. 26, 2012, she underwent the necessary surgery at Connecticut Children’s. “When I woke up ... my leg was gone. Nothing could change this. However, my tumor was gone too. That sailing accident saved my life,” she said. “Before that, we had no idea the cancer was silently growing.

“Shortly after, up in my hospital bed, my dad said something I’ll never forget: ‘You can’t direct the wind, but you can always adjust your sails.’ And that’s what I decided to do.”

Brave and Wise Beyond Her Years Kelly, who has an older brother, Max, 19, and sister, Katie, 17, is “bright, wise, strong and brave beyond her years,” her mother, Carolyn said. “But what makes us most proud is that Kelly always looks for ways to make the world a better place.”

During the course of her treatment, Kelly organized an effort to present MS8 (an inpatient floor at Connecticut Children’s) with a slushie machine donated by the Taylor Company and supported by more than $11,000 in gifts from friends and neighbors to maintain and supply the

machine. She also personally raised over $13,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life last spring, with her team earning a record-setting amount of more than $19,000.

“Kelly is athletic, she has a good sense of humor and she’s smart,” Dr. Isakoff said. “She also tolerated therapy with great resilience, and once the decision was made regarding her amputation, she approached it with great strength.

“Her recovery was faster and more effective because of her desire to get better,” Dr. Isakoff added. “The fight within her allowed her to heal from the chemotherapy and amputation more quickly. Kelly is an inspiration to all of us,” he said.

While there are currently no osteosarcoma clinical trials in the country, Dr. Isakoff is working to change that. “That’s where I do my clinical research,” he said. “I’m involved in that trial development.”

Critical Care for Connecticut “Tonight, I stand before you, still learning to use my prosthesis,” Kelly told the gathering of 250 people attending the Feast at the Farm dinner reception. “I have learned to walk, sail, swim, ride my bike and rock climb again. I am also starting to run and am trying out some new dance moves – but boy do those need work! Sure, my life is not perfect, but to me, I’m still the luckiest kid on earth.

“We all came here tonight because we want to see a Connecticut without pediatric cancer,” she said. “I pray that one day they will find a chemo regimen for osteosarcoma that makes amputations unnecessary... By supporting vie for the kids and the clinical cancer trials at Connecticut Children’s, we are giving faith, hope and love to the children of our state because this really is care that’s critical to Connecticut’s future.”

If you would like to help support clinical trials research for cancer and blood disorders at Connecticut Children’s, please contact the Foundation at 860.837.5700.

Kelly shared her personal experiences with cancer at the Feast at the Farm dinner reception attended by 250 people at the Rosedale Farms & Vineyards Oct. 5.

Kelly Ray Shares Personal Tale of Triumph Over Cancer, continued from page 4.

6.

Location, Location, Location Ease of access and free parking are among its many features, but for the Mather family, the location of the new $10 million ambulatory surgery center housed on the building’s third floor was particularly convenient – a 10-minute ride from their Avon home.

“For the Farmington Valley community, this is huge,” said Todd. “For us, it’s better than driving to the hospital. It’s much more convenient.”

“It’s beautiful, it’s clean. And, you’re getting the same doctors, just at a different location,” Leslie added.

Meeting Growing Needs According to orthopaedic surgeon Jeffrey Thomson, MD, the new facility – which will eventually house specialty clinics on the first and second floors – was needed to reduce space constraints at the Medical Center in Hartford, where there are nine busy surgical suites.

“The operating rooms at the main hospital are full,” said Dr. Thomson, who also serves as director of Orthopaedics at Connecticut Children’s. “Surgeons didn’t have enough OR time

Ambulatory Surgery Center Opens in Farmington, continued from page 1.

to satisfy demand, and cases were being done late in the day, which was not convenient for families. And, the trauma load increases every year,” he added.

“To better serve the needs of our patients and families, we had to do something,” said Elizabeth Crouch, RN, senior director of Perioperative Services, who oversees operations at the new facility. “This relieves some of the volume at the main hospital and reduces waiting time for patients and families.”

In its first week of operation, Reid’s elbow surgery was one of 19 surgeries performed. “Based on the day, volume will vary,” Ms. Crouch said. “We’re going to start off slow and ramp up.”

The Center is open for surgical procedures Monday through Friday, beginning at 6 a.m. with the last patient out by 6 p.m. As an outpatient facility, there are no overnight stays.

New Facility Evolves According to Ms. Crouch, plans for Connecticut Children’s Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington got underway two years ago. “It was a team effort designing this Center, with surgeon and staff involvement and lots

of feedback,” she said.

“The new Center was built with the patient and family in mind,” Dr. Thomson explained. “We visited several ambulatory surgery centers at other Children’s Hospitals and we were able to incorporate the best features into our facility. Patients go through the facility in a specific pattern, which maximizes comfort, work flow and safety,” he said, “and staff and providers have a friendly and efficient work environment.”

Staffed by 18 nurses, a Central Sterile Processing Supply tech, two anesthesia techs and Connecticut Children’s physicians and community surgeons with operating privileges, the new Center features a Pre-Op area, a PACU for recovery and two operating rooms, with room for two additional ORs to be opened as early as next year.

“It’s state of the art,” Ms. Crouch said.

Donor generosity has helped make the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington a reality. But more support is still needed. If you would like to learn how your donations can help, please contact Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation at 860.837.5700.

Staff member Ashley Banks, RN, reviews follow-up care instructions with Todd and Leslie Mather whose son, Reid, underwent elbow surgery at Connecticut Children’s new Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington. (Photo Credit: Michael McCarter)

7.

2013 Gala Benefits Digestive Diseases, Hepatology & Nutrition Division

Alan Zweibel, comedy writer, author and playwright, was the featured guest speaker at this year’s Gala. An original Saturday Night Live writer, Zweibel has won multiple Emmy, Writers Guild of America and TV Critic awards for his work in television. In addition to his many theatrical contributions, Zweibel wrote the 2006 Thurber Prize winning novel, The Other Shulman, and the popular children’s book, Our Tree Named Steve.

More than 700 people turned out for the 21st annual Storybook Gala on October 19th at the Connecticut Convention Center. Hosted by the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Friends, the event spotlighted the Premier Program in Digestive Diseases, Hepatology and Nutrition. With a special appearance by comedy writer, author and playwright, Alan Zweibel – along with a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions – the Gala raised $605,000 for Connecticut Children’s. Since its inception, this signature fundraising event has generated nearly $2.5 million for Connecticut Children’s.Heather Maguire and Sue Chadha (l-r) served as Auction Chairs.

Marking its eighth year, the 2013 Center Kidscard program generated $48,500 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Running from Oct. 24 through Nov. 2, more than 80 participating stores and restaurants in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square donated proceeds from the purchase price of the Center Kidscard to support Connecticut Children’s Heart Program, while offering shoppers special savings over the 10-day shopping and dining extravaganza. The annual program has contributed nearly $250,000 to Connecticut Children’s.

West Hartford Center Kidscard Supports Heart Program

thank you

October 24 – November 2, 2013

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center282 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06106

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NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS: Sharon Napolitano, Senior EditorEd Jalinskas, Creative Services Kevin McMahon, Contributing Writer

Partners in Caring is a quarterly publication of Connecticut Children’s Foundation, highlighting the programs and services of Connecticut Children’s. To be added to or removed from our mailing list, please contact Kevin McMahon at KMcMahon02@connecticutchildrens.org.

Learn more about Connecticut Children’s and receive updates about our initiatives and events Please visit our website at www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org/signup and enter your e-mail address to receive our electronic news updates.

Be a Partner in Caring At Connecticut Children’s we are committed to providing children with the best care possible. Our “partners in caring” are vital to helping us fulfill that mission.

Thanks to the generosity of our patient families, friends and donors, 2013 was a year of innovation and growth. We launched the new Office for Community Child Health, which brings together all of our community-based programs to ensure every child has the best chance for optimal healthy development. We also increased our commitment to research, working to bring the power of genomics and the promise of personalized medicine to children. And, as highlighted in this issue, we opened the new Ambulatory Surgery Center at Farmington, ushering in the availability of convenient, pediatric outpatient surgery to the region.

You can help make achievements like these possible. Your gift makes a difference, and we are honored by those who join us in investing in the people, technology, research and programs that bring hope and health to the lives of children and families who entrust their care to Connecticut Children’s.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation today. Your generosity will help us provide our region’s children with the best care possible – each and every day.

To learn more, please contact the Foundation at 860.837.5700, or visit our website at www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org.

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is a proud member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helps to raise funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, helping more than 17 million kids each year. Funds raised through this organization stay in the local community in which they are given. For more information, please visit www.cmnhospitals.org.

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