Children's Hospital Boston Hits the Road for Blood Donations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2005

For further information:
Jeff Webster
617-355-4102
jeffrey.webster@childrens.harvard.edu
or
Aaron Patnode
617-355-6420
aaron.patnode@childrens.harvard.edu

Kohl's Donation Puts Mobile's Wheels In Motion Benefiting Patients at Three Longwood Area Hospitals

More than 860 units of blood are needed every month to care for the young patients at Children's Hospital Boston--but sometimes, the hospital's donor center can't get enough donations. It's why the hospital's new bloodmobile is so important. Today, Children's Hospital Boston President and CEO Dr. James Mandell joined guests at Children's Hospital Boston, Waltham, to launch the bloodmobile, made possible through the support of Kohl's Department Stores.

Children's Hospital is part of an important blood collection partnership with Brigham & Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Children's bloodmobile will travel throughout Eastern Massachusetts, significantly enhancing collection efforts benefiting thousands of New England patients.

With its recent clinical expansion and addition of the Waltham facility, Children's has also increased its capacity for surgeries and procedures. While these changes have improved access to care, they've also increased the demand for blood. The bloodmobile will improve the hospital's blood supply by bringing the convenience of blood donation into the community .

Kohl's continues its ongoing support of Children's Hospital Boston, donating more than $500,000 to fund the creation of the bloodmobile. Since 2001, Kohl's has contributed more than $1.4 million to Children's through its "Kohl's Cares for Kids" program, including funding for the Kohl's Center for Families at Children's.

JoJo White, Director of Special Projects for the Boston Celtics was also at the unveiling to announce the team's support of the bloodmobile. Children's Hospital Boston is a proud partner of the team through the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation.

Founded in 1869 as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is the nation's leading pediatric medical center, the largest provider of health care to Massachusetts children, and the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. In addition to 347 pediatric and adolescent inpatient beds and comprehensive outpatient programs, Children's houses the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries benefit both children and adults. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, nine members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. For more information about the hospital visit: www.childrenshospital.org.