Marina Salazar (second from L) and her family fund-raised to ensure that every child hospitalized at Winthrop would have a VCR at bedside. L-R: Ann-Marie DiFrancesca, MS, CCLS, Child Life Specialist; Mrs. Salazar; Nora C. Perry, Chief Development Officer; Warren N. Rosenfeld, MD, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics; Jason Salazar; and John P. Broder, Winthrop's Vice President for External Affairs. Jesse Salazar is at L, front row.

n today’s world of mega-mergers and big budgets, it is difficult to imagine that one person can really make a difference. Yet through her determination and empathy, Marina Salazar has made a difference to countless families whose children will face hospitalization at Winthrop in the coming years. Her lack of fund-raising experience did not stand in Mrs. Salazar’s way when the young mother of two sons decided to donate 19 videocassette recorders to Winthrop’s Pediatric Unit -- enough so that every child occupying a bed could watch a special tape whenever he or she wanted.

Her youngest son, Jesse, now nine, has been a patient at Winthrop many times over the past two years since being diagnosed with leukemia. Mrs. Salazar therefore knew first-hand how comforting it could be for a youngster to be able to watch a tape or play a video game.

“It allows the child to feel that he or she still can participate in enjoyable and familiar activities,” said AnnMarie DiFrancesca, MS, CCLS, a Child Life Specialist at Winthrop.

With only three units to go around, however, children sometimes had to wait their turn to watch a tape or play a game. “When Jesse was in the hospital, we would ask for a VCR, but we never wanted to feel as if we were taking it away from another child,” Mrs. Salazar explained.

Face painting was only one of the many fun activities at Winthrop’s Valentine’s Day Party for Kids. Games and prizes, arts and crafts activities, and taste-tempting snacks rounded out the picture, as children age 10 and under made valentines and gifts for loved ones. Proceeds were donated towards the development of a new pediatric floor.

Mrs. Salazar’s success - she solicited enough funds from friends and associates to purchase the units - is precisely the kind of grass roots support that has helped launch “Fund for the Future,” a $5 million fund-raising initiative to help underwrite the cost of constructing a new Pediatric Pavilion at Winthrop. In early February, the effort continued when more than 240 local children enjoyed games, snacks, and craft projects at a Valentine's Day Party fund-raiser.

“Plans for the new unit include all of the elements children require during periods of critical illness,” said Warren N. Rosenfeld, MD, Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of Pediatrics. “Of course, the best equipment and design are top priorities. Equally important, however, are areas for recreation and solitude, accommodations for parents, siblings, and relatives, the latest computer equipment, and educational facilities. All of these elements will be incorporated to create an environment that is most conducive to healing.”

In June, the Hospital will partner with Bally Total Fitness for an exciting and innovative event to help individuals stick to their weight loss plans while supporting the Pediatric Pavilion Campaign. The program works by asking people to make a public commitment to their weight loss goals, and reinforcing that commitment with a monetary pledge to Winthrop. This unique fund-raiser is one of many exciting events planned for the coming year.

For additional information on the Pediatric Pavilion, please call Children’s Health Services at 1-877-559-KIDS.