San Francisco Union Square's Lights Represent Sick Children at UCSF

Macy's tree-lighting ceremony took place Friday night, with each light representing a donation to programs for children facing life-threatening illnesses at UCSF Children's Hospital. UCSF Medical Center CEO Mark Laret told KTVU-TV, "Support like this, for children in the hospital and their families who are going through difficult times, is extremely important." The Stayton family spoke about their son Jared, who was five months old when he died of kidney disease, having spent his short life within UCSF's Compass Care program. In hopes of raising money for the program, hundreds of people donated 10 dollars each to sponsor a light on the tree.

From left to right, Cheryl Stayton, holding daughter Julia, and Mark Stayton; UCSF Medical Center CEO Mark Laret; former Mayor Willie Brown, Jr.; Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White; Police Chief Heather Fong; Macy's West CEO Robert Mettler; and Snoopy. The Staytons are the parents of a child, Jared, who passed away, and are beneficiaries of the hospital's palliative care program.

Related Links: San Francisco Union Square's Lights Represent Sick Children at UCSF KTVU-TV (FOX), November 25, 2006 Children's Hospital Patient Kicks off Union Square Tree Decorating UCSF Today, November 22, 2006 Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony to Benefit UCSF Children's Hospital UCSF News Release, November 17, 2006 UCSF Launches Macy's Tree Lighting Benefit UCSF Today, October 11, 2006