A new stuffed animal or action figure won't make a hospital visit less painful for a child. But new toys will bring a smile, and that's the idea behind Andrea's Closet.
The closet arrived in October at Mendy’s Place, the North Valley's emergency center for children open 24 hours a day, every day. Pediatric patients at KidsZone, the pediatric unit, and Mendy’s Place will be able to go to the closet and select a new toy to keep.
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| Stephanie Camou, 4, a patient at Mendy's Place, picks the first toy from Andrea's Closet. |
The closet is named in honor of Andrea Brunk, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 8. During her treatment, Andrea would be given a small stuffed animal or other toy, which was always nice, but not as dramatic as the time she found the closet at the hospital and saw all the toys.
"She said, 'I know I'm going to be here next week. Can you hold this one for me?'" her dad said.
After that, she was allowed to go back to the closet "every time I get poked," her mother remembered. She died in 2002, just before her 10th birthday, and her parents decided to set up closets filled with toys in other hospitals. The Deer Valley closet is the 32nd one.
At the opening, Andrea's dad Kenny Brunk shared the story of how they brought Andrea to the John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital emergency room with flu symptoms. An X-ray revealed a tumor, and she was taken by helicopter to another hospital. The 8 year old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"We're honored to be in this hospital, and we look forward to all of the kids being able to come to this closet," Kenny said. "Here's a way we can help other kids."
"We created Andrea’s Closet because we thought every sick child should have access to a closet full of new toys," added her mother Traci Brunk.
The closet on wheels will be located in Mendy's Place and can be wheeled to KidsZone. The ladybug and tulip decorations are reproductions of Andrea’s artwork.
"It will make such a difference in the kids who come here," said Kathy Northrop, RN, clinical director of pediatrics. "We give toys now, but it's the thought that the kids get to pick. It's their choice."
Andrea's parents initially purchased the toys. Now they spend part of their money on the toys and also use sponsorships to help expand the non-profit organization's mission. The Deer Valley mobile closet is sponsored by Kiwanis of Arrowhead.
The group raised $5,000 for the closet and toys and has made an ongoing commitment to keep it stocked. The closet has everything from remote control cars and magic kits to stuffed animals and Barbie dolls.
"It was actually a unanimous vote on the project," said Tim Harrington, a business coach, Kiwanis member and project spokesman. |