Today, my RE/MAX office had the distinct pleasure of receiving a personal tour of the Children's Hospital of Orange County, an affiliate of the Children's Miracle Network. I am so grateful to our tour guide for having taken us through their beautiful hospital and letting us know how we can become involved community members and help. My previous real estate office was set up as a Miracle Office and each one of the agents made contributions from each of our commission checks. Although I had the pleasure of learning about CMN & CHOC through their websites and the annual RE/MAX conventions, nothing compares to actually seeing CHOC and the beautiful children they serve.
CHOC opened its doors in 1964 and has since provided the highest quality medical care to children. CHOC Children's is the only children's hospital in the state to earn the Silver Level CAPE Award from the California Council for Excellence (CCE). The CAPE Award is the highest recognition in California for performance excellence.
Upon entering the hospitals main lobby, our tour guide showed us Radio Lollipop, a hospital-based radio station that provides a stimulating mix of music and interactive games for patients. The CHOC studio is run by a team of volunteers who involve patients in recreational activities linked to radio programs that are child focused. Radio personality Ryan Seacrest and KIIS FM have assisted in raising awareness and funds for Radio Lollipop at CHOC. KIIS FM engineers and programming staff have been consulting on the project to help ensure it features state-of-the-art broadcast equipment.
We also got to see the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit which offers the highest level of care to critically ill or injured children. This unit has state-of-the art monitoring systems and specially trained nurses to provide special care for these patients.
My favorite was the Anaheim Ducks-themed wing on the oncology floor which includes a new playroom/school room, teen room, which includes a flat screen TV and video games, family lounge and storage space. The teen room is part of the CHOC Children's Cancer Institute Adolescent and Young Adult Program, which is the only program of its kind in the nation.
Our overall experience was wonderful and we were truly touched by how nice everyone at the hospital was. We were all touched by the hospitals focus on family involving each patient and his or her parents or caregivers in all aspects of treatment and recovery. There are rooms and accomodations throughout the hospital for parents to feel comfortable and be near their children while the children receive treatment.
As a non-profit hospital, CHOC relies on community support to provide leading-edge care for infants, children and adolescents close to home. There are many ways to help by going to www.choc.org/giving . You can help my team raise it's goal of $2,000 in The Torch Relay of Childrens Miracle Network. The Torch Relay is a unique multi-day event where participants walk, run and cycle at events throughout the country to raise money for their local Children's Hospital. To help sponsor my team and meet our goal of $2,000 please Follow This Link.
