|
 An
inscription on the wall of the newly redesigned playroom in the
Hematology/Oncology unit of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
reads, "Thank you Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation for making our
playroom so beautiful."
For so long, the children that call the Hematology/Oncology unit home
were stuck with a plain, lifeless, gray and white playroom. Now, those
days are no more.
On Nov. 29 a new, vibrant playroom was opened thanks to $25,000 from the
Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation and $35,000 from the Loma Linda
University Children's Hospital.
"I never assumed or imagined it would be like this," remarked Fred
Chisholm. "Debbie would be thrilled if she saw this playroom today."
Fred's daughter Debbie was stricken with brain cancer at only 12 years
old. Before she passed away in 1994, one of her wishes was to help other
children who were stricken with serious illnesses.
With the blessing of her parents, Fred and Elaine Chisholm,
philanthropist Corky Bell started the Debbie Chisholm Memorial
Foundation one month after her death to honor her last wish.
Since then, Debbie's foundation has raised over $1,000,000 and granted
over 370 wishes to children with serious or terminal illnesses in San
Bernardino and Riverside counties. Trips to Europe and Hawaii, Toys-R-Us
shopping sprees, and visits to Disney World are just a few of the wishes
fulfilled over the years.
The new playroom is one more wish granted, giving the children of the
Hematology/Oncology unite a place to forget about their conditions and
simply do the things kids do.
|
