Boy's Wish Comes True to Help Cancer Patients Like Himself
Seven-year-old leukemia patient Jericho Rajninger of Larkspur had his wish fulfilled recently by the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation in a recent ceremony at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Rajninger welcomed JR, a robot designed to resemble the title character in the children's book The Little Engine That Could, which will deliver medication to children being treated for cancer at UCSF.
A longtime UCSF Children's Hospital patient, Jericho wished for a robot that would make taking all of the medication required in cancer treatment a little easier to swallow.
"When we first met him, Jericho told us that the worst part of his treatment is all the medication he has to take," said Patricia Wilson, executive director of the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation. "All young patients dread it. Jericho thought a robot might make the process if not fun, at least more pleasant. So Jericho's robot is about as pleasant-looking as possible: a toy train complete with a talking conductor."
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The Rajninger family look at, JR, which will deliver medication to children being treated for cancer at UCSF. |
JR features a conductor outfitted by the Gap, who will "speak" to children with the voice of Hollywood voice actor Don La Fontaine. The train motif was designed by San Francisco-based Gensler Architects. The automated device has drawers in its "caboose" from which medications will be drawn by the nurses as it chugs through the oncology unit.
Jericho's wish come true is the result of a donation from the Pittsburgh, PA-based Aethon Inc., a leading manufacturer of delivery robots for hospitals, which donated the $100,000 device to Jericho through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"On behalf of the faculty, staff and all the children we serve, we proudly welcome JR to the UCSF family," said Roxanne Fernandes, executive director of UCSF Children's Hospital. "Jericho's wish is unselfish and will surely bring a smile to help other young patients."
In 2007, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrates 23 years of fulfilling magical wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. One of the largest chapters nationwide, the foundation has granted more than 4,000 wishes in 17 Northern California counties.
One of the nation's top children's hospitals, UCSF Children's Hospital creates an environment where children and their families find compassionate care at the healing edge of scientific discovery, with more than 150 experts in 50 medical specialties serving patients throughout Northern California and beyond.
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Photos/Elisabeth Fall
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