February 2, 2016

2316HoustonMarathonEliteRunners640Five elite U.S. marathon runners – four of whom are competing in the Olympic trials – visited patients on January 28 in West Tower.

Sponsored by the Houston Marathon Foundation, the event brightened the day of several patients in the Inpatient Rehabilitation, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery and Transplant units.

The runners – Jarrett LeBlanc, Josh Dedering, Biya Simbasson, Emily Gordon and Becky Wade – passed out Houston Marathon and Half Marathon medals, shook hands and played with the patients while encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

A good way to do that is to sign up for the fourth annual Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Marathon Foundation Family Fun Run, an event designed to educate and encourage Houston-area children and their families to adopt active, healthy lifestyles.

Families with children of all abilities are invited to participate in the run at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

The Family Fun Run will include both a 1K and 3K course. Participants – including those who need walkers and wheelchairs – are welcome. There will not be prizes given to top finishers as all participants will receive an award for taking part in an event designed to educate and encourage Houston-area families to adopt active, healthy lifestyles. Following the run, families can enjoy the H-E-B sponsored Family Fun Zone. The zone will be packed with snacks, special guests and more than 25 attractions.

Click here to register. Registration will close on Monday, March 28.

Additional information, including training guides, a video from last year’s event and volunteer opportunities can be found here.

January 26, 2016

When two patient families came through the Texas Children’s doors looking lost and confused, Feba Payne from Facilities wanted to help. Neither family spoke English, but Payne wasn’t about to point them in the direction of their clinics and leave them to figure out the rest on their own. She stopped what she was doing in the lobby and personally accompanied each family through the hospital to their appointments.

Every day at Texas Children’s, people like Payne take time to make a difference. Whether for our patients or colleagues, these small acts often determine the experience we create. Payne’s kindness not only made the stressful time less difficult for the families, but also caught the attention of one of her team members who shared the story on a Caught You Caring card. With the launch of Caught You Caring, Texas Children’s aims to recognize the work we all do to make a difference.

Caught You Caring is an organization-wide initiative to recognize those every day acts of compassion. The program began in ambulatory surgery and has been incredibly successful among staff and physicians, recognizing hundreds who have gone above and beyond.

“It’s so easy to tell stories or complain about what went wrong,” said Erica Diaz, a child life specialist. “We thought maybe a way to change our culture is to change our conversation.”

Patients, families and employees are encouraged to catch someone who is making a difference. Boxes and cards will be placed throughout all Texas Children’s sites for patients and families to recognize staff. Employees can fill out a Caught You Caring form on Connect. Cards and online submissions will be distributed to leaders for staff recognition.

“I’ve had a chance to write a lot of thank you cards to the recipients of Caught You Caring and I can’t tell you how surprised these individuals are, how happy they are, and that has a ripple effect on those around them,” said Chief of Plastic Surgery Dr. Larry Hollier.

Join the Caught You Caring launch events at Main Campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 27 on The Auxiliary Bridge, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, January 28 at West Campus on the first floor near the cafeteria.

Will you get caught caring?

12716FAMILYFUNRUNinside640Are you and your family ready to have some fun that will also help make you healthy? If so, sign up for the fourth annual Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Marathon Foundation Family Fun Run, an event designed to educate and encourage Houston-area children and their families to adopt active, healthy lifestyles.

Families with children of all abilities are invited to participate in the run at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 9 at Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus.

The Family Fun Run will include both a 1K and 3K course. Participants – including those who need walkers and wheelchairs – are welcome. There will not be prizes given to top finishers as all participants will receive an award for taking part in an event designed to educate and encourage Houston-area families to adopt active, healthy lifestyles. Following the run, families can enjoy the H-E-B sponsored Family Fun Zone. The zone will be packed with snacks, special guests and more than 25 attractions.

Click here to register. Registration will close on Monday, March 28.

Additional information, including training guides, a video from last year’s event and volunteer opportunities can be found here.

Good luck and happy running!

The American Girl doll store gave Texas Children’s 200 American Girl Dolls to donate to patients. Child Life hosted an American Girl Doll tea party in the Child Life Zone for patients. All girls attending received a doll.

January 19, 2016

12016HoustonMarathon640Texas Children’s helped push more than 70 runners across the finish line of the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon January 17 in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. As part of the Texas Children’s Running Team, the runners signed up for the 26.2 mile or 13.1 mile race not only to hit the pavement but to raise money for a good cause – Texas Children’s.

The team – comprised of Texas Children’s employees, patient family members and others who have been touched by the organization – has raised almost $60,000 for Promise: The Campaign for Texas Children’s Hospital. Members have until mid-February to continue fundraising. If you would like to give to those who went the extra mile, click here.

In their own words

Members of the Texas Children’s Running Team explain why they chose to run the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon in support of Texas Children’s. To read more, click here and click on a runner’s name to read their story.

As a new father it is hard to imagine a greater cause than supporting a healthier future for children and women. As a new father it is hard to imagine a greater cause than supporting a healthier future for children and women.” Ryan Springmeyer

I am privileged to be able to use this focus to try to pay back to TCH some of what they gave us in helping our son to live longer and fuller during his years on earth.” Valerie Locher

“We are incredibly grateful to TCH for giving us our rambunctious 2 year old girls! And now it’s time to give back and run 26.2 for every mama, fighting to save her babies… and for the amazing staff at TCH!” Julie Burroughs

“Texas Children’s Hospital helped bring a miracle into our lives, and I want that for as many families as possible. Will you contribute with me and help make those miracles possible!!” Jacqueline Bryant

“My patients and the people that love them are the reason I run this year. Each mile is dedicated to them. They are some of the bravest and strongest people I will ever encounter. And we are here to serve them. It’s one of the reasons I love being a part of Texas Children’s Hospital – because it operates with a servant like attitude. My patients and the people that love them are the reason I run this year. Each mile is dedicated to them. They are some of the bravest and strongest people I will ever encounter. And we are here to serve them. It’s one of the reasons I love being a part of Texas Children’s Hospital – because it operates with a servant like attitude.” Gabby Mueller

I was able to volunteer at the Texas Children’s Hospital here in Houston a while back, and was moved to want to do more for them than just volunteer some of my time. I was able to volunteer at the Texas Children’s Hospital here in Houston a while back, and was moved to want to do more for them than just volunteer some of my time.” Logan Mace

January 7, 2016

1716Texans640

To celebrate their AFC South title and to get ready for the first round of the playoffs, the Houston Texans hosted a party Wednesday for patients and families at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Held in the Child Life Zone on the 16th floor of West Tower, the party was filled with all sorts of fun, including face painting, playoff T-shirt giveaways, arts and crafts, and visits from TORO, Texans cheerleaders Jordan and Randi, and Texans ambassadors J.J. Moses, Wade Smith and Eric Brown.

While waiting to get a glimpse of TORO, 7-year-old Gael Esquivel intently colored a football he drew on a playoffs poster he created at the arts and crafts station. The child quickly stopped his coloring when TORO waived him over for a handshake and photo op.

“He’s a huge fan of the Texans and has always wanted to meet TORO,” Gael’s mother, Joanna Esquivel, said as she looked at her son’s smiling face. “As you can tell, he’s very excited.”

Mike Manis said he brought his 2-year-old son Rayden Manis to the playoff party because his family is a huge fan of the Texans and of Texas Children’s Hospital, an organization he described as “going above and beyond for its patients and families.”

“This kind of thing is really great for the kids,” Manis said. “It brightens their day.”

Shannon Green agreed and said her 10-year-old daughter Eden Green has attended various uplifting events at Texas Children’s Hospital during the past several months while being treated for a rare form of bone cancer. Although she wasn’t able to come to the playoff party, Eden got a T-shirt, socks and a signed football from her mom and sister who were able to attend.

“We are huge Texans fans,” Shannon Green said. “We will definitely be rooting for them on Saturday.”

The Texans clinched the AFC South title with January 3rd’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing with a final mark of 9-7. The team – which partnered with Texas Children’s almost a year ago to inspire children to lead healthier, more active lives – is the AFC’s 4th seed and will host the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, January 9 in the AFC Wild Card Game.

To show our pride for our home team and partner, CEO Mark A. Wallace is encouraging Texas Children’s fans to wear Texans jerseys, shirts or team colors Friday and Saturday. Khakis or similar slacks may be worn, but please no denim blue jeans, as we wish to present a spirited yet professional appearance to our families.

And we want to see your team spirit too: Send our communications team photos of you and your co-workers in your Texans gear, and you may just end up on Texas Children’s Twitter (@texaschildrens) and Instagram feeds (oneamazingteam). Email your photos to connectnews@texaschildrens.org.

January 5, 2016

1616bookdonation640Three and half years ago, the Herrington family embarked on a journey that would lead them to Texas Children’s Hospital, a place that has since become near and dear to their hearts. Shortly after birth, the youngest member of the family, Parson Blue, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that attacked the infant’s lungs, leaving her in need of a transplant.

At just 11 months old, Parson got what she needed – two new lungs – and has been on the road to recovery ever since. Her mother, Jennifer Herrington, said throughout the process the amazing doctors and nurses at Texas Children’s became family.

“They not only cared for our child but our entire family,” Herrington said. “That care was not only life-changing but heart-changing as well.”

To thank the staff at Texas Children’s for what they did for Parson and what they do for so many other children each and every day, the Herringtons organized a book drive benefitting the hospital and honoring their daughter’s love for the written word. The drive turned out to be a bigger success than the family anticipated, allowing them to donate almost 3,000 books, all of which will be available to the thousands of patients treated at Texas Children’s year after year.

“We wanted to give back to the hospital that has been such a huge part of our lives,” Herrington said. “The donation of books to Texas Children’s Hospital is such a small return for what the organization has given to our family.”

To read more about Parson’s story, read Herrington’s blog here. To read about another family that donated a handmade toddler play yard to Texas Children’s to thank caregivers for helping their son recover from cancer, click here.