Teddy Bears Bring Prescription of Smiles to Sequoia Hospital
December 15, 2005
REDWOOD CITY, CA -- A pack of cuddly bears
have made their temporary home at Sequoia Hospital, bringing with
them hugs and smiles to patients and their families.
Seven hundred of the plush teddy bears will
spread throughout the Emergency Department, Radiation/Oncology and
Birth Center, comforting patients and easing the loneliness of
spending time in the hospital over the holidays. For the
fourth year in a row, a generous donation to the Sequoia Hospital
Foundation by Genentech Inc., of South San Francisco, has made this
heart-warming tradition possible.
The stuffed animals are already making their
way to those in need of a smile and will continue to be available
throughout the remainder of the holiday season. On December
22nd Sequoia will host two very special guests from the North Pole
who will make the rounds of the hospital personally distributing
the bears and delivering joy.
"The Sequoia Hospital Foundation and all of
Sequoia's staff would like to extend our warmest thanks to
Genentech for this most generous donation and the holiday spirit
that comes with it," said JoAnn Kemist, President of the Sequoia
Hospital Foundation. "The healing power of a soft hug and a bright
smile should never be underestimated."
Pictured, left to right: JoAnn Kemist, President, Sequoia Hospital
Foundation; Erika Gabrielsen, Director of Corporate Relations,
Genentech; and Glenna Vaskelis, President, Sequoia Hospital.
About Sequoia Hospital
Sequoia Hospital is an accredited,
not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and
exceptional healthcare to Bay Area residents. Offering a full range
of medical, surgical and specialty programs, Sequoia has a
reputation for ranking in the top percentile of hospitals
nationwide for patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.
HealthGrades, the nation's leading healthcare quality company,
rated Sequoia "Best in Northern California for Overall Cardiac
Services" in 2006. The Sequoia Healthcare District and Catholic
Healthcare West have governed the hospital jointly since 1996. To
learn more, please visit www.sequoiahospital.org.
