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1st appeared
21
December
2000
Santa Tradition Continues for Kids with Cancer For the friends and loved ones of Andy Patt, Santa Claus season this year was a flurry of wrapping paper, kids’ shining eyes and remembrance. Patt, who was inspired by kids with cancer when he himself was an oncology patient at UCSF, organized an annual toy drive with the help of relatives, coworkers at the San Francisco Department of Public Works and volunteers at UCSF. After he died suddenly of a heart attack this year at the age of 44, his wife, Karen joined with family and friends to organize the fifth annual Santa visit to the outpatient Pediatric Oncology Clinic and the Pediatric Dialysis clinic at the Children’s Medical Center at UCSF. "We felt Andy would have wanted it that way," she said. Patt’s family and friends donated funds for toys in lieu of flowers for his funeral, and DPW toy drives collected even more toys. His sister, Vicky Chiechi, took their nieces and nephews on five separate shopping trips to find toys aimed at specific age groups. Karen Patt, who works in UCSF’s pediatrics administrative offices, and Kathy Gallagher of UCSF’s pediatric renal program joined with the Patt's friends, relatives, and coworkers from UCSF and DPW to choose a toy not only for each child, but for each of the children’s siblings with advice from the nurses and pediatric social workers in each clinic. In the pediatric oncology clinic on Tuesday, Andy Patt’s coworker Mike Kelly played Santa, with deep "Ho-Ho’s," friendly conversation and an occasional football toss for delighted children. Towering DPW elves Morris Olson, Bud McDonald and Paul Martini took each child’s picture with Santa. Karen Patt’s sisters, friends, niece and nephew helped out as elves. KPIX-TV Channel 5 declared Karen Patt their "Hometown Hero" for the day; the San Francisco Chronicle sat in on Santa’s visits with kids and published a story with multiple photos. See story. In the pediatric renal and dialysis clinics on Wednesday, Gallagher persuaded pediatric nephrologist Donald Potter, MD, to don the white beard and polish up the "Ho-Ho-Ho’s" he’s offered at many a Christmas party over the years. "The kids have this twinkle in their eyes," Gallagher said. "They say, ‘gee, Santa, you look a lot like my Dr. Potter." MORE SANTA SIGHTINGS: More of the toys from Andy Patt’s toy drive were donated to children and their families in the Children’s Medical Center portion of the main hospital. The UCSF community contributed generously to toy barrels for this effort and many more. The big red toy barrels at the entrance to the hospital were organized by UCSF chaplain Rod Seeger. Toy collections were featured at holiday parties including those organized by Medical Center CEO Mark Laret, by the Departments of Pediatrics and Surgery. Several hospital divisions organized toy drives, including the vascular laboratory and the clinical laboratories. And UCSF medical students organized "Holiday on Parnassus" with cookie decorating in the Children’s Playroom on 6 Long. Meanwhile, the UCSF Child Life Services staff reports sightings of enough red-suited ambassadors from the North Pole to man a squadron of flying sleighs. Among them were visitors from the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association, who have come to UCSF every year for many years. They brought not one but two Santas to make sure every child on the 6th and 7th floors got time for a chat. Santa’s elves also brought a check from an earlier POA event this year -- "Buzz the Fuzz," where policemen and policewomen had their heads shaved to benefit children with cancer. Santas also came from UCSF’s Police Department, the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department and the San Francisco Fire Department, the city’s leaders in children’s toy drives. UCSF staff members brought Santa plus trinkets and slippers from Bonjour Fleurette. The UCSF Auxiliary and UCSF Volunteer Services hosted an event for children featuring Santa and the Purple Fairy. "The generosity of community groups delighted the children," said Child Life specialist Eileen McCree, who organized and coordinated this season’s special visits and gift donations. The San Francisco Ballet sent members of the cast from the Nutcracker Suite. Elves from the San Francisco Leukemia Society brought presents. A teddy bear and elf from the Ritz Carlton Hotel brought hot chocolate and cookies. The Red Herring Foundation donated toys and organized a playroom activity. Kozo Arts organized an art activity with school age kids. Ashok Sharan organized special events at Macy’s to donate toys. Radio station 95.7 donated toys. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel made a donation in honor of a co-worker. The San Francisco store Anthropologie donated baby booties decorated with animals. "Children express themselves most effectively through play, and these toys make play possible in the hospital," said McCree, who organized and coordinated this season’s special visits and gift donations. "The donated toys will be given to patients and their siblings in all of the inpatient units to help brighten the holiday season." Child Life Services coordinator Becky Higbee said, "Donations and special visits from the community help the holidays a more normal experience in the hospital. We value this generosity now and all throughout the year." |
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