September 25, 2002
CONTACT: Ekaterina Pesheva, Office of Communications and Public Affairs at Johns Hopkins Children's Center
PHONE: 410-516-4996

Cal & Kelly Ripken Headline Johns Hopkins Children's Center Celebration

The Boyds Collection Ltd.®, Starlight Children's Foundation Unveil Teddy Bear-Filled "Hope Forest" for Pediatric Patients

Pediatric patients at Johns Hopkins Children's Center (JHCC) could barely containg their excitement Wednesday morning as they watched baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr. and his wife Kelly unveil the hospital's new "Hope Forest." With towering trees, a simulated cave and plenty of stuffed animals, the pediatric lobby has been transformed into a cozy refuge for patients and their families by sponsors The Boyds Collection Ltd.® and the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting, kids clamored to get autographs from the Baltimore Orioles' future Hall-of-Famer. The Ripkens also distributed baseball caps to all the children on-hand as well as those pediatric patients who were unable to leave their hospital beds.

As the Ripkens addressed the crowd, they emphasized their continued relationship with the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Kelly Ripken recalled the dedication of the original Children's Center lobby, some twenty years ago; "It certainly was nothing like this renovation," she remarked. "It's unbelievable what the design team has done with this space."

Twelve-year-old Grayson Gilbert, a six-year pancreatic cancer survivor and patient at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center helped Cal and Kelly cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony. "I've spent so much time in the old lobby. This one is so much cooler," Grayson told Kelly Ripken, immediately following the event.

Johns Hopkins officials say the renovated waiting area is just what the doctor ordered.

"Family-centered care is a priority here at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center," said director George J. Dover, M.D. "We are grateful to Boyds and Starlight for providing our families with a warm, inviting space where they can gather during their hospital visits."

While the Starlight Children's Foundation routinely designs in-hospital playrooms through its Starlight Sites program, this is the first lobby project they have ever undertaken. The area was chosen because it is the most highly-trafficked area in the hospital, accomodating approximately 20,000 visitors and staff per day.

"It is hard enough for an adult to be in the hospital, not to mention a child," said Jane Van Stedum, Director of Program Services for Starlight International. "Our goal with this room is to make the hours pass a little faster and to provide patients and their families with a safe and controlled escape from the sometimes frightening hospital environment."

Funding for the renovation is the result of an ongoing partnership between the children's charity and The Boyds Collection Ltd. "Each year Boyds creates two exclusive pieces-a resin figurine in fall and a plush bear in spring-for Starlight and donates all the profits from those pieces to the foundation. With some of that money, Boyds decided to fund a Starlight Site at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a hospital known for its dedication to medicine and one close to company headquarters," said Jean-Andre Rougeot, Boyds' CEO. "The Starlight Site is a wonderful distraction for the children and we hope the Boyds bears and other friends will provide companionship and comfort in their time of need."

Children, families and hospital staff have been eagerly awaiting the room opening for months. Patients and child life specialists participated in an internal naming contest, eventually christening the new lobby "Hope Forest, a gift from The Boyds Collection Ltd. and the Starlight Children's Foundation."

"Hope Forest was my first suggestion for the new name, as the Johns Hopkins Children's Center is a place of great hope for the children and their families who come from all over the world, facing difficult health situations. The entire medical team at the Children's Center provide great care and HOPE for their patients," said Joy Goldberger, Child Life Specialist who named the new lobby.

Founded in 1912 as the children's hospital of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Johns Hopkins Children's Center offers one of the most comprehensive pediatric medical programs in the country, from performing emergency trauma surgery, to finding causes of and treatments for childhood cancers, to delivering a child's good bill of health. With recognized Centers of Excellence in 20 pediatric subspecialties including cardiology, transplant, psychiatric illness and genetic disorders, Children's Center physicians, nurses and staff provide compassionate care to more than 90,000 children each year.

Starlight Children's Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families. Working with more than 1000 hospitals worldwide, the Foundation provides an impressive menu of in-hospital and outpatient programs and services. A leader in delivering distractive entertainment, Starlight's programs benefit over 100,000 children each month. To learn more about Starlight, please visit www.starlight.org.

The Boyds Collection Ltd.® is a leading domestic designer, importer and distributor of handcrafted collectibles and giftware items (more popularly known as Boyds Bears because of its extensive plush line of animals!) Boyds sells its products through a large network of independent gift and collectibles retailers, high-end department stores, selected catalogue retailers and now at its flagship store, Boyds Bear Country...the World's Most Humongous Teddy Bear Store. Boyds is celebrating is 23rd year in business crafing affordable priced, high quality, "Folksy with Attitude" collectibles.

#  #  #