Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The young patients receiving care at UMC Children’s Hospital will soon have access to a new, expertly designed playroom offering a wide range of new features thanks to a partnership with Claire’s Place Foundation and Zappos for Good. Planned and guided by the late Claire Wineland, a renowned public speaker, advocate and social media star who spent much of her life in hospitals receiving treatment for cystic fibrosis, the expanded playroom at UMC Children’s Hospital has been carefully crafted to meet the unique needs of children who spend extended periods of time in the hospital.
Members of the media are invited to attend a grand opening ceremony for Claire’s Place Playroom at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 20 at UMC Children’s Hospital. The event will include representatives from Claire’s Place Foundation, Zappos for Good and UMC Children’s Hospital.
Created to honor Wineland, who passed away in September one week after receiving a lung transplant, the playroom will carry on her legacy of compassion by providing pediatric patients with a bright, functional space for a wide range of activities, games and play therapy alongside the hospital’s child life specialists.
“This beautiful, new space will bring joy to hospitalized children for years to come,” said Dr. Meena Vohra, Medical Director of UMC Children’s Hospital. “I would like to personally thank Claire’s Place Foundation and Zappos for their shared dedication to helping our team improve young lives.”
Wineland, who lived with cystic fibrosis throughout her entire life, formed Claire’s Place Foundation at age 13 to provide emotional and financial support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis. She became a leading advocate for patients with cystic fibrosis and their families, as she worked to grow the small charitable organization into an award-winning nonprofit that helps many struggling families each year. Claire provided a valuable voice for people with cystic fibrosis, building a large social media following and writing the best-selling book “Every Breath I Take, Surviving and Thriving with Cystic Fibrosis.” Her inspirational story has been chronicled in media outlets across the country, including Inside Edition, The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, Huffington Post, ABC News, Cosmopolitan Magazine, People Magazine, Ladies’ Home Journal and many others.
“My daughter Claire was absolutely thrilled when Zappos and UMC invited her to design her very own pediatric playroom at UMC Children’s Hospital,” said Claire’s Place Foundation Executive Director Melissa Yeager. “Claire drew beautiful designs and worked hard on every detail. However, over the last year, Claire got so sick that she didn't have the energy to complete the project and as painful as it was for her, she had to put it on the back burner and focus full time on her health. Little did she know that we were all working behind the scenes to make her dream a reality. Designers Rozalynn Woods and Rebecca Brennan along with Zappos and UMC executives, worked tirelessly to make Claire’s vision come to life. Of course we wish she was here with us to see the playroom, but we are so thankful to everyone who made it possible and that it will serve those young patients who need it.”
Funded by Zappos for Good, a dedicated department focused on the online retailer’s community and charitable efforts, the newly developed playroom offers a number of unique features, including a 3-D mural of the solar system, a Lego wall and a series of frames designed to hold a rotating selection of art created by patients at UMC Children’s Hospital. Inspired by Wineland’s journey, Zappos teamed up with the young advocate and the UMC Foundation to build the new playroom.
“Claire’s humanity always shone through despite how sick she was and her message is one that continues to resonate with our employees. That’s why we joined her in this project and we are humbled by the way our partners, UMC and Claire’s Place Foundation, were able to help us make this dream a reality,” Steven Bautista, Head of Charity at Zappos.
EVENT INFORMATION
- WHO: Claire’s Place Foundation, Zappos for Good and UMC Children’s Hospital
- WHAT: Grand Opening of the Claire’s Place Playroom at UMC Children’s Hospital
- WHEN: Saturday, October 20, 11 a.m.
- WHERE: UMC Children’s Hospital, 800 Hope Place
- MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Kerbs, UMC Public Relations Manager, 702-503-5798
About UMC Children’s Hospital
UMC Children’s Hospital offers Nevada’s highest level of pediatric care, providing a wide range of exclusive and highly specialized services to the community’s youngest patients. UMC Children’s Hospital is home to Nevada’s only designated pediatric trauma center, in addition to the state’s only pediatric burn care and organ transplant services. UMC Children’s Hospital serves as the state's only hospital to be recognized and accepted as an associate member of the Children's Hospital Association.
UMC Children’s Hospital is staffed around the clock by board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric critical care physicians to provide young patients with the high-quality, specialized care they deserve. For more information, please visit www.chnv.org.
About Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc.
Claire’s Place Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing support to children and families affected by cystic fibrosis (CF). Claire’s Place Foundation is named in honor of Claire Wineland who lived with CF her entire life and passed away at the age of 21. Claire was an activist, author, TEDx Speaker, social media star and received numerous awards. Claire’s foundation was a way for her to assure that others living with CF enjoyed the same hope, strength and joy that she enjoyed. Recipient of Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Small Nonprofit of the Year,” the foundation provides grants to families affected by CF, offering both emotional and financial support. Today, Claire’s Place Foundation continues to carry on Claire’s legacy. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www.clairesplacefoundation.org.
About Zappos
Established in 1999, Zappos.com has quickly become a leading destination in online apparel and footwear sales by striving to provide shoppers with the best possible service and selection. Zappos currently showcases millions of products from over 1,000 clothing and shoe brands. Zappos is also proud to be rated ELITE by STELLAService and was named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion, one of only 40 companies so named in the U.S. More information about the customer service philosophy, unique culture and job openings can be found at http://about.zappos.com. More information about Zappos Insights, and its business membership program can be found at zapposinsights.com. Zappos.com, Inc. is a subsidiary of (AMZN) Amazon.com, Inc.