Grand Prix Foundation Gives $25,000 to Support Child Life

Rick Duree, president, Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach recently stopped by Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach to visit some of Miller Children’s patients. Duree, a retired firefighter, has logged many of hours visiting patients at Miller Children’s and lifting their spirits as an active firefighter and now as president of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach.

Over the years and countless visits, Duree has seen the value that the child life department has had on the experience that patients and their families have during hospitalization. From trick-or-treating to distraction using medical play before a procedure, Duree has seen first hand that child life specialists not only ease the anxieties of young patients, but also the anxieties of parents and siblings.

“The child life program is such a special program,” says Duree. “Hospitalization is never fun for anyone at any age, yet the Child Life program makes sure that the kids feel welcome and not as scared, and more importantly, let’s them just be kids. Kids are the heart of a children’s hospital and child life specialists are the soul.”

The Grand Prix Foundation recently gave $25,000 to the child life program, so they can continue to provide this hands-on care that can only be found at a children’s hospital. The generous gift will help extend Child Life’s emergency department coverage to 7 days-a-week. The emergency department is one of the major admission points for patients of Miller Children’s so child life specialists are crucial in helping patients and their families cope with hospitalization.

Child life specialists use medical play to prepare children in the emergency department for a procedure they may need using dolls and photos to clearly describe what the procedure is like. They also distract children through painful procedures using tools, such as bubbles and music, and support to families during overwhelming and traumatic times.

“We are honored to have the Grand Prix Foundation support Miller Children’s Child Life program on an annual basis,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. “With their support we are able to care for more pediatric patients and their families through this often very overwhelming time.”