MESA (Oct. 19, 2007) -- Matt Leinart recently visited pediatric patients at Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center bringing cheer to the community's smallest and most vulnerable patients. The injured quarterback easily related to the hospitalized children, sharing his own story and providing encouragement for the kids to keep a positive attitude.
Leinart's visit to the hospital reinforced his already-significant commitment to Banner Health and to children in the East Valley. Earlier this year, the NFL star pledged a half-million dollar gift to the Banner Children's Hospital and Banner Desert Medical Center through the Matt Leinart Foundation. The $500,000 donation will benefit the Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign,'to support the expansion of Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert in Mesa, including building a new seven-story pediatric patient tower.
"This community has welcomed me with open arms, and I'm honored to say thank you by investing both time and money in health care for kids,'' said Matt Leinart. "Making sure kids have access to great care should be our top priority, and my partnership with Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center will bring more pediatric services to the Valley.''
The nonprofit Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center currently provides comprehensive pediatric care to the residents throughout Maricopa County. Highly skilled and compassionate pediatric staff and the full array of pediatric specialty physicians meet a diverse childhood health care needs of our community. As the population of Maricopa County grows at unprecedented levels, so does the need for additional pediatric hospital services. The new tower dedicated to Banner Children's is part of a major expansion at Banner Desert Medical Center to substantially increase the pediatric services available to this growing area.
The Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign is a $15 million effort launched earlier this year by the Banner Health Foundation to enlist philanthropic support for the $300 million children's hospital project at Banner Desert Medical Center.
"Though Matt's only been in the Valley for a little over a year, he's already shown a strong desire to give back where the need is greatest -- helping kids,'' said Andy Kramer, president and CEO of Banner Health Foundation. "We are so grateful for his commitment to the children's hospital,a s it reflects his confidence in Banner's ability to address the needs of children in our community.''
About Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center
Banner Children's Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center provides comprehensive pediatric care for all children. The hospital provides a full range of services, including emergency care, general pediatrics, intensive care and community education on child health topics.The hospital is a member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI).
About Banner Health Foundation
Banner Health Foundation fosters a spirit of giving by making health care solutions a reality for our community. Contributions made to the Foundation are invested locally in the nonprofit Banner Health's facilities and programs to advance health and wellness. Caring for the future of Arizona since 1978, Banner Health Foundation is supported by the generosity of individual donors, the public and private sectors and thousands of active volunteers.