“When we started, there was just one huge, round, open clinic for all the children in our state who were being treated for diseases,” she said at the opening ceremony. “Children with weakened immune systems, like children with cancer or blood disorders, didn’t have to be around children with other diseases. As you’ve probably heard many times, we didn’t even have a vaccine for chickenpox, which was often fatal for these children with weakened immune systems.”
With the help of the Junior League of Jackson, a volunteer organization, the center was opened to serve children with various cancer diagnoses as well as children with blood disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia.
Over time, it became clear that these patients and their caregivers needed more modern facilities. Teenagers and young children shared televisions, there were few exam rooms, and not enough space for families to relax.
Major donors and fundraisers raised over $5 million to support the construction of a new center with many technologically advanced amenities and fun, creative spaces for the children.
Dr. Betty Herrington is a professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s.
“Our staff will tell you it was a breath of fresh air,” she said. “We really enjoyed it. We’ve always been proud of the work we do here, but we know, as you do, that it’s important to provide world-class care, but it’s also important to provide comfort to our families. We know that comfort is vital to a patient’s experience at Children’s of Mississippi.”
