(SACRATE)
UC Davis Children’s Hospital is proud to announce the opening of its Panda Cares Center of Hope, made possible by Panda Express employees and guests.
Panda Cares Center of Hope promotes healing through specially designed programs that address each child’s total well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. These include therapeutic play, art therapy, music therapy and academic stimulation, all designed to give children courage and strength during their hospital stay.
“Our staff has always believed that we are more than just our space,” said Diana Sundberg, director of the Department of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy at UC Davis. “However, we have never had a space like this before and can’t help but dream of the possibilities the Panda Cares Center of Hope will open for our children, families and staff.”
The Panda Cares Center of Hope offers special facilities for:
- School: Children can participate in group science or math activities, complete assigned schoolwork, or take virtual field trips to local museums. These activities help educate pediatric patients and normalize their hospital stay.
- Music therapy: In group sessions, children can explore their feelings through music, using various techniques such as playing musical instruments, drumming, writing songs or improvising.
- Art therapy: In group sessions, patients have the opportunity to explore artistic media, including technology, while building their self-esteem.
- Special Events: The center offers plenty of space where children and families can gather for performances.
- Support groups: A private meeting place will be available for patients and their families.
- Individual sessions: Patients who cannot be around other children due to their immune system still have the opportunity to participate in activities. They have space outside of their hospital room for individual sessions with staff that focus on music therapy, art therapy or school.
Our staff has always believed that we are more than just our space. However, we have never had a space like this before and we can’t help but dream of the possibilities the Panda Cares Center of Hope will open for our children, families and staff.” – Diana Sundberg, Director of Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy at UC Davis
“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life. We are honored to be part of the healing process of the families and children in these hospitals,” said Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the power to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.”
Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express employees and guests. Funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express benefit each store’s local community. Panda Express has donated several million dollars to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country. Panda and CMN Hospitals have opened Center of Hope locations in several hospitals across the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington DC.
Since 2007, Panda Express and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have partnered to “improve children’s health and change the future.” To date, Panda has raised more than $150 million for CMN Hospitals-affiliated hospitals, including UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Panda Express guests and their employees in the Sacramento area have raised more than $4.6 million for UC Davis Children’s Hospital since 2007.
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