It's About Children - Issue 1 2014 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

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Car seat inspections

Color Me Rad 5K

Dancing with the Knoxville Stars

MAY

APR.

MAR.

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Oak Ridge Fire DepartmentIt is free.You do not have to register to attend. We will teach you everything you need to know to make sure your car seat is used and installed correctly.

9 a.m.Knoxville Civic Auditorium-ColiseumRegistration is $37. Use the code CHILDREN5K to save 5 percent and have 15 percent go to Children’s Hospital.Visit www.etch.com/ColorMeRad to register. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m.Knoxville Expo CenterSponsorship table prices range from $1,000 to $10,000; additional tables are $400 to $500; general seating is $60 a ticket.Call 865-541-8441 or visit www.etch.com/DWTKS to purchase tickets. Proceeds go toward the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital.

Mark Your Calendar

2 It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2014

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12 A Titanic recovery

Seeing the future clearly

A hunger to get stronger

When Luke Copas was born, his brain had no room to grow. Twelve years later, he’s a published author.

From birth to behind the wheel, see how we’ve made an impact in Jonathan Johnson’s life.

Despite the challenges of her condition, Raelyn Haun is anything but frail.

16 We need youWhen a child gets sick or injured, we get to do our best. Still, we can do more. And you can help.

It’s About Children is a publication of the Marketing Department at

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.Editor: Paul Parson

Designer: Deborah HostermanCover photo by Michael Dayah

Connect with us:www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren

Spotlight

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CPR class for parents and teens age 14 and older

Safe Sitter class for teens age 14 and older

Peyton Manning Golf Classic

APR.

MAR.

MAY

APR.

JUN.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building (Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8262 to register. Learn CPR so you can respond to emergencies in your home.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Children’s Hospital’s Koppel Plaza Building (Meschendorf Conference Room)Class costs $25.Call 865-541-8262 to register. Learn correct babysitting techniques, emergency responses and how to use babysitting as a business.

Morning round begins at 8 a.m.; afternoon round begins at 1:30 p.m.Fox Den Country ClubSponsorship packages range from $500 to $25,000; individual tickets are $350.Call 865-541-8441 or visit www.etch.com/GolfClassic to register for the event or for sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds go toward the purchase of equipment in our Emergency Department.

3Donate at www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren


Photo by Expressive Moments Photography

Story by E. Anderson

Photos by Michael Dayah


LittleRaelynHaunhasafanclubatEastTennesseeChildren’sHospital.Whilevisitingthehospitalforherfrequentappointments,the18-month-oldandhermom,Alissa,arequicklysurroundedbydoctors,nursesandthemanyclinicalstaffmemberswhohavecaredforRaelynherentirelife.AndRaelynreadilysoaksintheattentionfromheradoringfans—greetingthemwithherbrightestsmileandhappycoos. FortheHauns,Children’sHospitalismorethanahospital.It’sahomefullofloveandfamiliarfaces—peoplewhohavebecomefamily. In2012,Alissawassurprisedtolearnshewaspregnantwithababygirl.Shealreadyhadherhandsfullwithherthen6-year-oldson,Cameron,whosufferedwithanautoimmunedeficiencythatrequiredmultiplesurgeriesandweeklyinfusionsinhisleg.Alissa’spregnancyseemedtogoasplanned—butshewasunawarethatacommonviruswouldchangethecourseoftheirlivesforever. EarlyultrasoundsshowedthatRaelynhadechogenicbowel—abrightareaonherintestinethatcanbeanindicationofachromosomalabnormality.Then,duringAlissa’sthirdtrimester,testsshowedthattheventriclesofherbabygirl’sbrainwereenlarged.Doctorsperformedacesareansection whenAlissawas38weekspregnant,andimmediatelytookRaelynformoretestsandtreatment. “Ididn’tgettohugherorkissheroranything,”Alissasaid.“Itwassohard.Ididn’tevengettoholdherfor14hours.”

TestsshowedthatRaelynhadcytomegalovirus(CMV),acommonvirusthataffects50to80percentofadultsintheU.S.bythetimetheyare40.MostchildrenoradultswhocontractCMVshoweithernosignsofillnessorjustthoseofacommoncoldorflu.CMVstayswithapersonforhislifetime,goingthroughperiodsofdormancyandactiveinfection.Mostpeopleneverevenknowtheyhaveit,butwhenamotherpassesCMVtoherunbornchild,thelong-termeffectscanbedevastating. “IjustrememberwhentheytoldmethatshehadCMVsaying,‘OK,well,howlonguntilit’sgone?’”Alissasaid.“Theysaid,‘Youdon’tunderstand.Thiswillaffectyourbabyherentirelife.’Ican’tevenbegintodescribehowIfelt.” TheHaunswereabletotakeRaelynhometomeethernewfamilyforafewdays.Then,atjust7daysold,Raelynbegananeight-weekcourseofinpatienttreatmentatChildren’sHospital.ShewasgivenGanciclovir,anantiviraldrugoftenadministeredtopost-transplantpatients,topreventCMVfromspreadingtohealthycells.ThetreatmentcausedRaelyntolosethefullheadofdarkhairwithwhichshewasborn.Duringthosetwomonthsatthehospital,Alissaandherfamily—Raelyn’sbrother,Cameron,especially—weregratefulforthekindnesstheChildren’sHospitalstaffshowedthem. “Cameronspenthisentiresummerbreakatthehospitalwithus.Hewassoscaredforhissister.ButthenursesknowCameronreallywellandthey’dtakehimoutsidetoplay,ordressuplikecopsandrobbersforhim,”Alissasaid.“Idon’tknowhowI’dhavemadeitwithoutthepeopleatChildren’sHospitalandallthesupporttheygaveus.”


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Followingtreatment,Raelynwasabletogohome.AlissaandherdaughteronlyhadtotravelfromtheirhomeinSeviervilletoChildren’sHospitalforshortvisits.Then,whenRaelynwas6monthsold,shesufferedherfirstgrandmalseizure.Shewasalsodiagnosedwithfailuretothrive—meaningshewasn’tgainingweightasexpected—andwasgivenafeedingtube. Raelyn’sCMVhasaffectednearlyeverysystemofherbodyinsomeway.Inadditiontotheseizures,shehasanemiaaswellasaneurogenicbladder,whichcausesalackofbladdercontrolandoftenrequirescatheterization.Shealsohasquadriplegiccerebralpalsy,whichaffectsallfourofherlimbsandmakeswearingbracesonherarmsandlegsnecessary.Shetakes11medicationsdaily—someseveraltimesaday—andinadditiontoregularappointmentsatChildren’sHospital,Raelynhasthreedifferenttherapies—speech,occupationalandphysical—everyweek.Still,despiteherdaughter’slimitations,AlissaisdeterminedtogiveRaelynabrightfuture. “Youhearaboutallthesemedicalproblemsshehas,andyouexpecttoseethisfraillittlechild.Butshehasahungertogetstronger.Icanseeit,”Alissasaid. PediatricphysiatristNadineTrainer,M.D.,istheMedicalDirectoroftheRehabilitationCenteratChildren’sHospital,andseesRaelynregularly. “Shereallyissuchabeautifullittlegirl,andshehasanaturallygreattemperament,”Dr.Trainersaid.“Nomatterwhatshehastoundergowhileshe’shere,shealwayshasasmileonherfacethatjustlightsuptheroom.” AlissahasbecomeanadvocateforCMVawarenessandprevention—leaningononlinesupportgroupsandbecominginvolvedinannualconventionsforotherparents

likeherthroughtheBrendanB.McGinnisCongenitalCMVFoundation. “CMVispreventable,butsomanypeopledon’tknowaboutit.Idon’twanthundredsofthousandsofothermomstogothroughwhatIdo,”shesaid.

AlissaalsoreliesonthecareandsupportshereceivesatChildren’sHospital. “Ihavenevertakenmykidsanywhereelse.There’sanotherhospitalfiveminutesawayfromme,butI’dratherdriveanhourbecauseIknowI’llgetthebestcarepossibleatthehospitalwheretheyknowmykidsaswellasIdo.”

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• Aboutoneinevery150childrenisbornwithacongenital CMVinfection.Oneinfiveofthoseinfantswillsuffer permanenteffectsasaresultofCMV.• CMVisclassifiedamongthesamevirusesthatcause chickenpoxandshingles.Itisacommonvirusthatis usuallyharmless.Amongevery100adults,50to80will contractCMVbeforetheyare40.Mostwillnotknow, asthevirusoftenremainsdormant.• CMVcanbetransmittedbyclosecontactwithpeople who haveCMVintheirurine,salivaorotherbodilyfluids. Itcanbespreadfromamothertoherunbornfetus.• Aboutonetofourofevery100womenwhohavenever beeninfectedwithCMVhavetheirfirstCMVinfection duringpregnancy.Aboutone-thirdofwomenwho becomeinfectedwithCMVforthefirsttimeduringa pregnancywillpasstheinfectiontotheirinfant.

NadineTrainer,M.D.,MedicalDirectoroftheRehabilitationCenteratChildren’sHospital,saidsheoftentreatschildrenwithCMV,buttheeffectscanmanifestdifferentlyineachchild. “Mostpregnantwomendon’tknowtheyhaveit.Theycouldjusthave respiratorysymptoms,”shesaid.“There’snorhymeorreasonwhysomepeoplegetitandothersdonot.Itisoneofthemajorcausesofcerebralpalsy.” Dr.TrainersaidpreventingCMVissimilartopreventingcommoncoldsorotherillnesses. “Goodhand-washingandhygieneisreallythekey,especiallywhileyou’repregnant—andjustusingcommonsensearoundpeoplewhoaresick,”shesaid.

It’s About Children, Issue 1 • 2014

by Audrey Madigancontinued on page 10

Photos by Wade Payne


DeanaandJeffJohnsonhadbeenwaitingalongtimeforthisday.Theirmuch-hoped-forbaby,asonnamedJonathan,hadarrived.ButtheirjoysoonturnedtoconcernwhenJonathan’sdoctorthoughtsomethingwaswrongwiththenewborn’srighteye. “Icanrememberthinking,‘We’vewaitedsolongforababy,somethingcan’tbewrong,’”Deanasaid. HerdoctorrecommendedapediatricophthalmologistexamineJonathanassoonaspossible.That’swhenGaryGitschlag,M.D.,fromEastTennesseeChildren’sHospital,enteredtheJohnsons’lives.Afteracarefulexamination,Dr.GitschlagdiscoveredJonathanhadacataractinhisrighteye.TheJohnsonswereshocked. “We’dneverheardofachildhavingcataractsbefore,”Deanasaid.“Wethoughtcataractsonlydevelopedinolderadults.” Butunfortunately,that’snotthecase.

A dangerous situation Approximatelythreeoutof10,000infantsyoungerthanage1havecataracts.Thenumberincreasesbetweentheagesof1and10.However,identifyingcataractsorothervision-relatedproblemsininfantsisdifficultbecausetheycannotspeak.Itisevenharderiftheyarebornwithpoorvision

becausetheyhavenowayoftellingthedifferencebetweentheirvisionandwhatnormalshouldbe. Theeyesworklikeacamera.Eacheyehasalensthathelpsfocusonvisualimages.Thelensoftheeye,normallyclear,bringsobjectsintofocusonthelininginsidetheeyecalledtheretina.Whenthelensbecomescloudyandobstructsvision,itiscalledacataract. Cataractsinchildrenareparticularlydangerousbecausetheymayinterferewithvisiondevelopment.If,asinthecaseofJonathan,acataractispresentinonlyoneeye,thechildpreferstousethegoodeyeandignoretheeyewiththecataract.Thiscanleadtoamblyopia(lazyeye)andstrabismus(wanderingeye)orevenpermanentvisionloss.

A challenging treatment SurgerytoremoveJonathan’sdamagedlenswasthefirststepinhistreatment. “HereIwas,anewmotherhavingtoputmy1-month-oldsoninthehandsofatotalstranger.Iwassofrightened,”Deanasaid.“EvenpreparingJonathanforsurgerywasdifficult.Apersoncan’teatordrinkbeforesurgerysoIwasn’tabletofeedJonathanbeforehisoperation.Ihada1-month-oldbabycryingtobefed,andIcouldn’tdoanythingforhim.Knowinghewashungryandnotbeingabletohelphimwassohard.” TheirtrustinDr.Gitschlagwaswell-placed.Thesurgerywassuccessful.Butthatwasonlypartofwhatneededtobedone.Insomesense,thehardestpartofthetreatmentwasyettocome. Jonathannowhadtostartwearingacontactlensinhisrighteye. “Puttingacontactintotheeyeofa6-week-oldbabywasnoteasy,”Deanasaid.“Puttingacontactintotheeyeofatoddlerwasevenmoredifficult.” Inadditiontowearingacontact,Jonathan’sgoodeyehadtobepatchedtoforcehisbraintousetheeyewiththelens.DeanaadmitsitwasarealstrugglekeepinganeyepatchonJonathan10hoursadayforfouryears.


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A successful outcome TheJohnsons’perseveranceandhardworkpaidoff.Today,Jonathanhasnovisionimpediments.TheSeviervilleteencandowhateverhechoosestogetinvolvedin—evenplaybasketball,whichheloves. “Jonathan’sparentsplayedahugeroleinthesuccessofhistreatment,”Dr.Gitschlagsaid.“It’stoughtogothroughwhattheydid.Ittakesteamworkwiththiskindoftreatment.Ihaveapartandparentshaveapart.Withoutthem,itdoesn’twork.” TheteamalsoincludesDr.Gitschlag’sstaff. “WehadnoideawhenwefirstbeganthisjourneyhowimportantDr.Gitschlagandhisstaffmemberswouldbecometous,”Deanasaid.“Theyarelikefamily.TheyhaveknownJonathanallhislife.” Jonathanisnow16yearsold.ThetinybabyDr.Gitschlagfirsttreatedisaheadtallerthanheisandobtainedhisdriver’slicenserecently.Amilestonemadepossiblebyhisparents’lovingdedicationtorepairinghissightandDr.Gitschlag’scare.

Visit www.etch.com/ItsAboutChildren to experience Jonathan Johnson’s journey.


A Titanic recoveryStory by R.J. Vogt • Photo by Michael Dayah


WhenLukeCopaswasborn,hisbrainhadnoroomtogrow. Today,12yearslater,Luke’sbrainhasproducedtwoquestion-and-answerbooks—athirdbookisduethisyear. Youmightcallitatitanicrecovery. OnJune26,2001,LukejoinedtheCopasfamily.Hismother,Sabrina,immediatelythoughtsomethingaboutLukeseemeddifferent. “Thefrontofhisheadwasperfect,butthebackwascone-shaped,”shesaid.“Hisfacewasperfect.Itwasbeautiful.” DespitefriendsandfamilywhotriedtoconvinceherLukewasfine,Sabrinapersisted.Duringhistwo-monthcheckup,SeviervillepediatricianJamesHollingsworth,M.D.,discoveredthatLuke’ssagittalsuturehadfused,preventingnormalskullgrowth.Lukeneededanoperation. HollingsworthimmediatelydirectedSabrinaandLuketoEastTennesseeChildren’sHospitalandLewisW.Harris,M.D.,theonlyfellowship-trainedpediatricneurosurgeoninEastTennessee. HarrissetthesurgeryforSept.19,2001.AlthoughtheeventsofSept.11werekeepingSabrina’shusband,Robby,busyatanearbyAirForcebase,hewasabletobeatChildren’sHospitalforhisson’ssurgeryandrecovery. Beforebeginningthesurgery,HarriscarefullyexplainedallthedetailsinvolvedinLuke’ssurgerytoSabrina. Afteradifficultsurgery,HarrisdeliveredahealthybabybackintoSabrina’sgratefularms. “Idon’tbelievethingsjusthappenedoutofluck,”Sabrinasaid.“Ibelievetheyareansweredprayers,andChildren’sHospitalplayssuchapivotal,keyroleinthat.” NotlongafterLuke’ssurgery,Sabrinastartedtonoticeotherpeculiaritiesaboutherson. “Hewasverystoic,veryquiet—andhestudiedeverything,”Sabrinasaid,addingthatattheageof18

monthsold,Lukebasicallypotty-trainedhimself. “At2,hestartedputtingtogetherpuzzlesliketheywerenothingtohim,”shesaid. Luke’slearningcurvecontinuedtoimprove,andbyage4,Sabrinabegantomarvelathisvoraciousappetiteforthewrittenlanguage.Atthetime,RobbywasdeployedtoIraq,sotopassthetimeSabrinasaidshewouldreadtoLuke,asmotherstendtodo. Unlikemostlittleboys,however,Lukewasuninterestedinmonstersorwizardsortalkinganimals.LukewantedtohearabouttheCivilWarandtheBible.Hisloveforhistorydeepenedinthethirdgrade. “Hehadateacherwhohadabookthatwascalled882½ Amazing Answers to Your Questions About the Titanic,andhememorizedit,verbatim,”Sabrinasaid. WhetherdescribingtheTitanictohisclassmatesorhisfamily,Lukecouldnotstopsharingfactsabouttheinfamousshipwreck.Whileattendingayoungauthors’conference,theyoungboypresentedhisownbookoffactsabouttheTitanic;oneoftheguestlecturerauthorsexpressedapropheticprediction. “Hesaidhehadneverseenabooklikethat,”Sabrinasaid.“HetoldLukerightthere,‘Youwillbeapublishedauthorsomeday.’” WeekslateratthegrandopeningoftheTitanicMuseuminPigeonForge,LukehadachancetosharehisbookwithMaryKellogg-Joslyn,aTVproducerwhoco-ownstheTitanicMuseum.Sheaskedifthemuseumcouldhavehisbookpublishedtobesoldthere. Twobookdealslater,Lukehashadopportunitiestomeetdescendantsfromtheship’screwaswellasparticipateinbooksignings. “Honestly,ifitweren’tforChildren’sHospital,Luke’slifewouldn’tevenresemblewhatitistoday,”Sabrinasaid.

Responding to behavioral health needs

Inanefforttomeettheneedsofregionalpediatriciansandcareformoreofthecommunity’schildren,Children’sHospitalopeneditsDevelopmentalBehavioralCenterJan.1. LedbyDeborahChristiansen,M.D.,thecenterisdesignedtobridgethegapbetweengeneralpediatricsandanysubspecialty—likepsychiatryorneurology—associatedwithadevelopmentalorbehavioraldiagnosis. Thecenterwasestablishedindirectresponsetoareaphysicians,who,inourrecentlycompletedcomprehensivecommunityhealthneedsassessment,identifiedbehavioralhealthastheirfirstpriorityinaddressingtheunmetneedsoftheirpediatricpatients. Whenachild’sprimarycareorsubspecialtycarephysicianrefershispatienttothecenter,Dr.Christiansenandherteamperformacomprehensiveevaluationandformulateacustomizedtreatmentplan.Theyassessthechild’schronologicalanddevelopmentalageandoftenmakereferralstootherdisciplines,suchaspsychologyor

physical,occupationalorspeechtherapies,tocompletetheevaluation.Ourteamalsoiscommittedtokeepingthereferringphysicianinformedthroughouttheprocess. Ourbehavioralhealthteamspecializesinthemedicalmanagementofconditionsincluding: •Attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder(ADHD) •School-relatedlearningproblems •Mildanxiety •Autismspectrumdisorders •Milddepression •Developmentaldelays •Sleepdisorders •Feedingproblems •Ticdisorders

News


Visit www.etch.com/DBcenter for more information about the Developmental Behavioral Center.

Atonetimeoranother,everyparenthascopedwithachildwhowillnotsleep.Whiletheyvaryinseverity,sleepdisordersarebecomingmoreprevalentinchildrenandadolescentsandcanaffectachild’sbehavior,mood,schoolworkandoverallhealth. InJanuary,Children’sHospitalopenedtheSleepMedicineCenteratourwestcampus,locatedonWestlandDriveatPellissippiParkway.Thecenter,whichprovideseasieraccesstofamiliesforsleepassessmentsandthelatestdiagnostictestingequipmentforsleepmedicine,hasasoothingenvironmentfeaturingartwithsleepinganimals. EhabMansoor,M.D.,whoisboard-certifiedinpediatricsandfellowship-trainedinsleepmedicine,leadsthecenter,whichistheonlyoneintheareatoofferpediatricandadolescentsleepdisorderexpertise.PatientswhoarereferredtothecenterwillhaveaninitialassessmentbyDr.Mansoorandhisteamtodetermineiftestingandtreatment,includingasleepstudy,areneeded.Thecenter

TheLeapfrogGrouprecentlyannouncedits2013listofTopHospitals,includingChildren’sHospital. Wewereoneof13pediatrichospitalshonoredforsettingthehigheststandardsinsafetyandquality.TopHospitalshavelowerinfectionrates,highersurvivalrates

Helping children sleep

One of the country’s top hospitals

providesclinicalevaluation,diagnosisandmanagementofpediatricsleepconditions.

OursleeplabwaspreviouslylocatedintheNeurologyDepartmentonthemainhospitalcampus.Withintwoyears,theneedforsleepstudiesatChildren’sHospitalisexpectedtogrowmorethan25percent.

forhigh-riskprocedures,decreasedlengthsofstayandfewerreadmissions. Outofalltheadultandpediatrichospitalsreceivingtheawardnationwide,weweretheonlyhospitalinEastTennesseeandoneofonlyfiveinthestate. “Ourstaffearnedthisawardbecauseoftheirtirelessdedicationtoourpatients.Theymakealifesavingimpacteveryday,andIamsoproudofthem,”saidKeithGoodwin,PresidentandCEOofChildren’sHospital. TheawardisgivenannuallytothehighestperforminghospitalsontheLeapfrogHospitalSurvey.Itisnotgiventoasetnumberofhospitals,butrathertoallurban,ruralandpediatrichospitalsthatmeetthehighstandardsdefinedineachyear’sTopHospitalsmethodology. The2013TopHospitalslistwascloselyculledfromarecordnumberof1,324hospitalsvoluntarilyparticipatingintheLeapfrogHospitalSurvey.Toqualifyforthishonor,eligiblehospitalsmustalsoearnan“A”fromLeapfrog’sHospitalSafetyScore,whichgradeshospitalsbasedonexpertanalysisofinfections,injuriesandmedicalerrors.


Visit www.etch.com/sleep for more information about the Pediatric Sleep Medicine Center.


Every day parents do the best they can for their children.

They prepare healthy meals for them.

They make sure they’re dressed appropriately for the weather.

They help them with their homework.

They make sure they get plenty of sleep.

Butwhentheirchildrengetsickorinjured,that’swhenthestaffatChildren’sHospitalgetstodoourbest.Weofferthespecializedpediatriccarethatchildrenneedduringthesecrucialtimes. Still,wecandomore.Andyoucanhelp. Ournewexpansionprojectwillfeaturea268,000-square-foot,five-storybuilding.Thespacewillexpandservicesforchildrenwithchronicconditionssuchascysticfibrosisandotherspecialneeds.Forty-fourprivateNeonatalIntensiveCareUnit(NICU)roomswillenableustogivethebestpossiblecaretoourtiniestpatients.We’llalsoaddnewoperatingroomsanddesperatelyneedednewparkingspaces.Enhancedfamilyareas,suchasarooftopgarden,willgiveourpatientfamiliesaplacetorelaxandrelievetheiranxiety. AtChildren’sHospitalwehavebigplanstogrow,andwe’reaskingyoutobeapartofit.This$75millionexpansionprojectsimplycannothappenwithoutyourhelp.Yourdonationswillbeessentialinmakingsurewehavethespacetoofferthespecializedcareourpatientssodeserve. Call865-525-GIVEorvisitwww.etch.com/donatetodonatetotheexpansionproject.

Proposed sketch of new expansion project


Visit www.etch.com/donate to donate to the expansion project.

Inspiring listeners from all over the country, WKZX-FM 93.5, greater Knoxville’s Hispanic radio station, raised $66,000 for Children’s Hospital during its recent three-day radiothon. Sharing on-air interviews with staff and patient families, WKZX DJs Milton Pineda and Mercedes Cuevas far surpassed the station’s fundraising goal of $50,000. Donors from all over the country called in wanting to support the work of Children’s Hospital. “We couldn’t believe it,” Cuevas said. “Calls came in from Texas, Oklahoma and all over the U.S., from people who just wanted to help.” At least 5 percent of our patients in fiscal year

2013 were Hispanic. To meet the needs of this patient population, we offer 10 interpreters to help Spanish- speaking families. Families are generally assigned a specific interpreter with whom they can establish a relationship. These interpreters work with families to interpret verbal information and translate medical forms, which helps reduce anxiety and makes it easier for parents to make care decisions. In addition to interpreters being available for families while their children are in the hospital, the Medical Office Building now has a full-time interpreter who can help set and cancel appointments, and coordinate care with other doctors and specialists.

Your Dollars at Work

Hispanic radiothon generates nationwide support


Having fun and saving livesSince 2008, tens of thousands of game enthusiasts from

across the U.S. and beyond have gathered virtually on an autumn Saturday to help save the lives of children.

During Extra Life, participants play console games, tabletop role-playing games or even lawn sports and board games to raise money for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Gamers can play for the full 24-hour marathon, or any hours of their choosing, and raise money by asking for donations from friends and family.

Recently, 220 gamers who played from their homes or the Knoxville Convention Center raised $15,000 for Children’s Hospital—almost four times the amount raised last year.

Ellen Cole, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program Director for Children’s Hospital, said Extra Life is a fun way for people of all ages to support the children of their community.

“It gives people a chance to do what they love while making a difference in the lives of children,” she said.

Big hearts equal big donationEmployees with hearts as big as the

warehouse stores in which they work raised $14,803 for Children’s Hospital. Since 1988, Costco locations across the U.S. and Canada have participated in a month-long fundraising campaign to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals like ours. This year, employees of the Knoxville Costco set weekly fundraising goals and hosted special activities to meet these goals. To keep their employees motivated, managers of the store allowed employees to throw pies in their faces when they surpassed their goals. While extra events helped raise funds, most donations were made one dollar at a time by selling Miracle Balloon icons at cash registers. Organizations like Costco and their employees play a vital role in supporting Children’s Hospital.


Nothing puts a smile on aNothing puts a smile on a child’s face quicker than getting a gift— child’s face quicker than getting a gift

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It's About Children - Issue 1 2014 by East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Health & Medicine