Chelsie Hightower of “Dancing With The Stars” traveled all the way from Utah to spend the day with the kids. Chelsie said while she is not particularly romantic herself, she would much prefer to spend the day giving back and making a difference in the lives of children. Chelsie was joined by friend and “Dancing With The Stars” champion, J.R. Martinez, who gave patients his undivided attention.  He was overheard sharing words of encouragement with the children and telling them how much they inspired him. 

View more photos on Flickr.

Also in attendance were Annika Marks (“The Surrogate”), Cory Almeida (host of “Pictureka!”), Meagan Tandy (“Jane By Design”), Neil Grayston (“Eureka”), Sufe Bradshaw (“Veep”) and Trevor Jackson (Disney’s “Let It Shine”), who spent time playing with the kids as they enjoyed frozen fruit treats from Yonanas, yummy turkey and veggie burgers from FatBurger’s FATMobile, Sabra’s grab n go hummus snack packs with pretzel crisps, refreshing sparkling juice by IZZE, and had their faces painted by Parties by Stacey. Patients and their mothers were also treated to glam makeovers by the beauty artists at Sue Devitt Beauty, who gifted all the ladies with a shimmery pink lip-gloss. Patients were also invited to pick out a pink or blue teddy bear from Build-A-Bear Workshop and CDs and DVDs filled with children’s music from Baby Genius. Additionally, EA games donated some of their most popular video games titles to the hospital’s Teen Lounge.

It was a family affair for two Hollywood families. “Royal Pains” star Mark Feuerstein attended with his wife Dana and their daughter Addie, while Nestor Serrano, whose new movie “Act of Valor” opens this month, attended with his wife Debbie and their daughter Lucy. The Feuersteins and the Serranos are big supporters of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as their daughters Addie and Amelia respectively, have both received incredible care at the hospital. Edwin Hodge, the newest addition to the hit ABC show “Cougar Town”, attended with his mom Yolette and were both having fun making Valentine’s with the kids. TV host Quddus Philippe stopped by to share love with the kids en route to the airport for his charity mission to Haiti. 

Corbin Bleu from the hit movie franchise “High School Musical”, made chocolate jewelry with patients courtesy of Grando Cioccolato. Guests loved Nancy Grando’s organic and gourmet Italian dark, milk and white chocolate “diamonds.”  Hollywood couple Rachael Leigh Cook (“Perception”) and her husband Daniel Gillies (“The Vampire Diaries”) spent time making custom Tiny Prints Valentines with the kids and their families. 

Guests were also serenaded by several amazing performances, kicking off with twelve-year-old Eileen Garrido, who sang a song she wrote for the hospital as thanks for the care she received. “American Idol” finalist and recording artist Elliott Yamin, who is a long time supporter of Children’s Hospital, also performed two songs from his new album due out in March. Austin Brown, rising star and nephew of the late Michael Jackson, closed out the music set with several acoustic sets from his album, which was released on Valentine’s Day.

Trueheart Events is a full service entertainment marketing firm specializing in special events, talent outreach, strategic marketing and public relations campaigns.

The event kicked off with a warm-up by music therapists, who helped the kids prep their vocal chords and rhythmic skills. Upon his arrival, Seal warmly greeted the crowd and introduced himself, taking the time to familiarize himself with each patient and telling everyone how honored he was to spend time with them. With several Music Therapists strumming alongside as backup, Seal kicked off the performance with “Secret,” a song he wrote for his daughter.

Afterward, Seal took a seat on the carpet in the middle of the lounge, connecting with each patient, learning their names and relating to them with his own life stories, including his own battle with Lupus that left him with irreversible facial scars. He reminded them that music is a way to work through difficult times and can be a positive outlet of expression and a way he expresses himself.

View more photos of Flickr.

It was an important message for the patients, many of whom are participating in or exploring Music Therapy as part of their treatment.

“The impact that these interactive musical performances have on our patients is amazing.  To have the opportunity to hear how music has positively impacted artists such as Seal and Bruno Mars’ life and helped them through difficult times gives so much hope and inspiration to each of them and their family members,” said Alexandra Field, Artists Program Lead. 

“The clinical vision of the Mark Taper – Johnny Mercer Artists Program here at CHLA is to assist patients and families in expressing and exploring their thoughts, feelings, and coping related to their illness and hospitalization through art, music, and dance/movement therapy.  It is such a wonderful complement to the work we do each and every day with patients and their families to participate in these fun, interactive musical performances.  To hear about how the power of music can help someone such as Seal hold on to his dreams and never give up, no matter what the circumstances may be, is incredibly powerful and meaningful to all that participate.”

Music Therapy is an important part of the healing process, and is just one of several experiences provided by the hospitals Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program.  Unlike the traditional art and recreation programs found in many hospitals, the Taper-Mercer Program is an innovative model that brings together local artists and performers with registered and certified Creative Arts Therapists to meet the diverse needs of our patient population. Our Creative Arts Therapists are trained to assist patients and families in building coping skills, exploring the thoughts and feelings related to hospitalization and illness, and utilizing the arts for exploration and self-expression. This multidisciplinary approach offers our patients something beyond diversionary arts and crafts projects.  Other arts offered include Dance Therapy, Theater Arts, Crafts and Jewelry Making.

Related Articles: Music Therapy More Than Just a Song

Have you ever listened to a song that took you back to the memory of a specific time in your life, reminded you of a special person, made you feel relaxed or gave you energy?

There is definitely a certain power associated with music. Music can bring up emotions, memories, or special connections that link us socially or spiritually. For children, music can be a fun way to learn, relax and get through tough emotional or physical situations. It can help with communication, social skills and with other abilities. In fact, it’s also been shown to reduce stress, which can help keep your immune system healthy.

The idea of using music to heal patients has been around since ancient times. The modern practice of using music in hospitals started after World War I and II when local musicians would travel to Veteran Hospitals to play for soldiers. The music helped lift their spirits and made them feel better. The first official music therapy degree program was offered at Michigan State University in 1944.

Defining Music Therapy

The American Music Therapy Association, founded in 1998, defines music therapy as, “an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.” There is definitely a healing power associated with music.

Benefits of Music Therapy

Stress Relief and Pain Management

As I mentioned earlier, calm, quiet music can be used to reduce stress and encourage relaxation. It has been documented that the state of relaxation caused by certain types of music can change brain wave patterns. Studies show that calming music can help stabilize blood pressure if listened to before, during and after surgery.

Speech and Language Improvement

Music uses pitch, rhythm and words, which are all part of speech and language. Learning to play instruments can help increase self-esteem and help patients develop hand and finger coordination. Listening to certain types of music can even assist a developing brain. Research has shown that music therapy encourages a type of learning that results in growth in the auditory and motor areas in the brain.

Coping Skills

Goals of music therapy are to make patients feel more at ease and assist them in getting through a traumatic experience. As the American Association of Music Therapy notes, “A therapist can talk with a client, but a qualified music therapist can use music to actively link a client to their psycho-emotional state quickly.”

By doing so, a music therapist is able to help patients improve emotional adjustment, reduce anxiety and depression. Music therapy can help kids cope with loss and grief and help with their communication and social skills.

Overall, music therapy can improve coping abilities, manage pain and help with stressors associated with being a kid in the hospital. 

Music Therapy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, licensed professional music therapists provide musical activities for our patients that include creating, singing, moving to and listening to music. This therapy provides ways for children to communicate and can facilitate rehabilitation.

Registered therapists work on our patient care units, in music workshops and with individual patients to provide diversions and distraction from medical stressors. The therapists and visiting musicians also use music to entertain patients. All these activities help patients deal with the stress that can be associated with illness and hospitalization. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, kids can listen to soothing music before medical procedures or surgery to help decrease anxiety.

Music therapy here at Children’s Hospital has been shown to decrease distress by 20 percent and decrease pain by approximately 10 percent. In 2007, there were 933 music therapy sessions provided at Children’s Hospital. In 2010, there were 1,731  sessions and 4,479 sessions in 2011.

For more information about music therapy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, visit the webpage for The Mark Taper and Johnny Mercer Artists Program. Parents and families can ask their child’s nurse to make a referral for music therapy.

Additionally, those interested in learning more about the music therapy profession can learn more about our expressive arts therapy internship.

Have fun and raise money for cutting-edge cancer research at City of Hope and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles through our official charity, ThinkCure!

Register or make a donation.   

Participant Incentives

• Raise $250 – ThinkCure! Dodgers jersey
• Raise $500 – Reimbursed registration*
• Raise $750 and get a set of four MVP field level tickets to a regular season Dodgers home game with parking and four ThinkCure t-shirts to wear to the game*
• Raise $1000 and come to exclusive breakfast race morning in the Dugout Club and out of the elements with breakfast and surprise VIPs*
• Raise $2000 win an opportunity  to participate in Kids Take the Field, which includes 4 tickets to the Dodger’s game and parking and ThinkCure Jersey’s to wear to the game*
• Raise $3000 Autographed gift package*

*Plus all the prizes listed above.

The Trauma Program’s Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has partnered with the food services department to open the Safety Corner in the Family Pantry in the Anderson Pavilion.

The corner, which can be found next to the HBO Café, provides patients, families and employees with the opportunity to purchase home safety items at wholesale prices. The goal of the program to help patients and their families build safer home environments at an affordable cost.

A variety of home safety items will be offered including:

• smoke detectors,
• carbon monoxide alarms,
• oven locks,
• toilet lid locks,
• window guards,
• bike helmets,
• outlet covers,
• refrigerator latches
• and many more injury prevention safeguards!

A few home safety items are already available for purchase in the Injury Prevention Program’s Safety Corner in the Family Pantry. A full-line of home safety equipment will be available starting February 1, 2012.

About the Injury Prevention Program

The Injury Prevention Program aims to reduce the number of unintentional injuries of children at home by making home safety items more available and affordable.

Make it your new year’s resolution to build a safer environment for your family by taking a moment to look for potential hazards in your home. While constant adult supervision is the best way to keep your child safe at home, it never hurts to have added protection!

Tips for a Safer Home

• Install working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO₂) detectors in every level of your home, in each bedroom and outside every sleeping area. Test the alarms every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.  
• Keep matches, lighters, candles and heat sources out of reach of children.
• Store appliances and electrical devices properly.
• Don’t overload outlets and use covers when they’re not in use.
• Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees to help prevent scalding and to save energy.
• Use cordless window products, if possible. If not, cut the cords short, eliminating the loops and tie them out of reach to avoid strangulation.
• Install window guards or stops on all windows to prevent them from opening more than 4 inches.
• Eliminate openings of more than 3 ½ inches in stair railings, balconies and furniture where children can easily squeeze in.
• For households with small children under the age of 5, keep rooms free of items that can fit into a small parts tester or toilet paper tube to prevent choking.
• Install hardware-mounted gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Keep hallways and stairways well-lit and free of clutter.
• Tack down rugs and runners to avoid tripping
• Practice safe zones that are secure and safe areas for children to play. Keep dangerous areas off limits such as kitchens and bathrooms, utilizing doors and gates to block entrances as needed.

Check out this listing of upcoming blood drives for the month of February to see if we’ll be in your neighborhood.

Thursday, Feb. 2
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Church Of Jesus Christ Of Lds
136 N Sunset Canyon Drive
Burbank, CA 91501

Tuesday, Feb. 7
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
San Fernando Realty
456 N. Maclay
San Fernando CA  91340

Wednesday, Feb. 8
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Keller Williams
340 N. Westlake Blvd.
Westlake Village 91362

Wednesday, Feb. 15
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Vons Corp
618 Michillinda,  Arcadia CA

Thursday, Feb.16
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Walther School
1246  N. Gardner, Los Angeles CA

Tuesday, Feb. 21
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
California State University at Northridge
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge CA 91330 

For more information about blood and platelet donation opportunity at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, visit CHLA.org/DonateBlood.

What’s the law?

NEW!Effective January 1, 2012, California law requires that all children under age 8 must be properly buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat.

Children age 8 or older may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.

Why is it necessary?

Seat belts are designed for adults and do not properly fit children under 4’9” tall, regardless of the child’s weight. 

Using car seats, booster seats and seat belts the right way on every ride – lap belt low on the hips touching the upper thighs and shoulder belt crossing the chest – saves lives.

A booster “boosts” the child up in order to make the adult-sized belt safely fit a child-sized body. According to researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, booster seats, which reposition the seat belt across the strongest bones of the child’s body, reduce injury risk for children 4-8 years old by 45% compared to seat belts alone.

If the belt crosses the child’s waist instead of the hips or thigh bones, the child risks damage to internal organs and/or a spinal cord injury if involved in a collision.

Is my 8-year-old ready for a seat belt?

Parents should use this simple 5-step test to determine if their 8-year-old child can safely ride in a seat belt alone.

5-Step Test

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend naturally over the seat cushion edge?
3. Does the lap belt cross the top of the hips/thighs, not the tummy?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
5. Can the child stay seated in this position the whole trip?

If you cannot answer “yes” to all 5 steps above, your child must remain in a booster seat until the seat belt alone fits properly. Your child’s weight is not a factor in determining proper fit.

NOTE

Belt-positioning boosters cannot be used with only a lap belt! (See your car dealer for a lap/shoulder belt retrofit.)

Key Safety Points

In addition to following the law regarding child seat safety, parents can also implement the follow safety precautions.

1. Set a good example for your child by using a seat belt on every trip, no matter how short.
2. Ensure that your child is properly secured in a car seat, booster or seat belt on every trip.
3. Use the best safety seat system for your child’s size and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Keep your infant in a rear-facing seat as long as possible, ideally until age 2 or until the infant reaches the upper weight and height limit for that particular seat.
5. Never seat a child in front of an airbag.
6. Keep your child in the back seat until age 13.

Don’t Forget

Everyone in the car must be properly buckled up. For each child under 16 who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or drivers can be fined more than $475 and get a point on their driving records.

Local Resources

To have your car seat inspected or child 5-step tested by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), contact the Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 323-361-4697.

It can be very difficult for children using inhalers to coordinate pressing the inhaler and breathing in at the same time.

Using a spacer with an inhaler can help your child get the proper amount of medicine into his or her lungs.

A spacer looks like a round plastic tube that fits on the mouthpiece of your child’s inhaler. Typically, spacers are prescribed by doctors.

Benefits of Using a Spacer

• Helps your child to breathe at his or her own rate
• More medicine gets into the lungs
• Prevents medicine from leaking into the air

How to Properly Use a Spacer

The spacer looks easy to use but there are steps you can take to ensure your child is using it correctly and that it is cleaned properly. They are as follows:

1. Shake the inhaler for several seconds.
2. If this is the first time using this inhaler, prime it as you normally would by pressing down on it and spraying it into the air away from you several times.
3. Insert the mouthpiece of the inhaler snugly into the spacer.
4. Exhale (breathe out) fully through your mouth.
5. Put the spacer in your mouth with your lips and teeth around the mouthpiece.
6. Press down on the inhaler ONE time only.
7. Inhale (breathe in) slowly and deeply for 3 to 5 seconds.
8. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds.
9. Exhale.
10. Repeat dose as ordered.

Properly Cleaning an Inhaler

The medicine from your inhaler can create a film on your spacer. Over time, this residue can block medicine from getting into your child’s lungs. It is important to properly clean your child’s spacer. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Below, find some basic cleaning instructions:

• Take the rubber backpiece and mouthpiece of your spacer off the round plastic tube. Take off the mask if you have one.
• Soak all parts for 15-20 minutes in a bowl of lukewarm water and a bit of dishwashing soap.
• Move around in the water very gently.
• Rinse parts thoroughly in warm water.
• Shake out any excess water from all parts and air dry completely.
• Make sure all parts are completely dry before reassembling the spacer.
• Clean your spacer weekly and after any sickness.
• Wipe the mouthpiece and/or mask off after each use.

 If you follow these steps then your child will get more medicine into his/her lungs, and feel better much quicker!

Thank you for supporting us in 2011!

Last year was a defining year for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  I would like to take a moment to celebrate with you, our supporters in our community, because what we have accomplished together is truly phenomenal.

Award-winning Care

• U.S. News & World Report once again named our hospital to its elite Honor Roll of children’s hospitals. Only 11 children’s hospitals in the United States achieved Honor Roll status for 2011-12, and Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in California to receive the tribute.
• For the third consecutive year, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has earned the Top Hospital designation from The Leapfrog Group, which annually recognizes the best hospitals in the nation for providing the safest and highest quality health care services to patients.
• In June, Pasadena Magazine’s fourth annual “Top Doctors” issue honored 86 staff physicians from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group.

Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion Opens

• On June 23, 2011, more than 200 community leaders and supporters celebrated the historic dedication of the nation’s most technologically advanced children’s hospital by cutting the ribbon on the new Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.  The building was named for philanthropists Marion and John E. Anderson who made the transformative $50 million gift to fund the project.  
• On July 17, 2011, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles staff safely transported 191 inpatients into the 317-bed, seven-story Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion. The process started at 7 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m., when the last patient was brought inside the new building.

Advances in Medicine

• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles recently joined the Autism Treatment Network (ATN) as a Center of Clinical Excellence, and is now the only ATN site in California. The ATN is supported by Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization.
• A team of neonatologists at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles published the first research paper indicating that the use of a remote controlled, robotic telemedicine system in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is feasible and safe.
• Randall Wetzel, Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, organized the “meaningful Use of Complex Medical Data Symposium,” held Aug. 26-27. Representatives from NASA, Harvard, Stanford, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Yahoo and Facebook gathered to discuss how best to harness electronic data to enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

Donations Changing Lives

• The 25th Annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon, held Sept.17-18 raised more than $1 million dollars for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Racers raised funds in support of the hospital’s Pediatric Cancer Research Program.

Please know that all of us at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are truly grateful for your continued support on this journey and, with your support in 2012, we will only grow in our ability to fulfill our mission of creating hope and building healthier futures.

Richard D. Cordova, FACHE
President and Chief Executive Officer

On Dec. 1, patients and families in treatment at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases were invited to a surprise performance and interactive music session with Grammy Award-winning artists Bruno Mars. 

The visit was a stop on the Get Well Soon Tour (GWST), which unites musicians to bring happiness and light to sick children through musical performances at hospitals around the world.

View more photos on Flickr.

GWST co-founder and musician Austin Bisnow kicked off the visit, welcoming patients and families to the Family Lounge, which had been transformed into a jam circle complete with guitars, a microphone, bongos, tambourines, and shakers.  Austin handed out instruments to patients and got the excited crowd warmed up while they waited for the surprise guest to arrive. With his guitar in hand and back up from the kids, he pounded out a few of their favorite cover songs, ranging from Justin Bieber to some Bruno favorites.  When Austin finally revealed the identity of the surprise guest, some patient’s and parents clapped while others sat in awe. 

Bruno kicked off the set with his hit, “The Lazy Song,” which was a favorite among the patients. It was his kid-like nature and passion for music that really meshed well with the patients; he made a special impression, calling them by name and encouraging them to play along.

There was definite talent in the room, but it wasn’t all coming from Bruno. The kids displayed their knack for music, singing along, rapping with Bruno and requesting songs old and new. Bruno explained the benefits of music and the effect it has on him.

“Music is a good outlet to express how you feel,” he said.

In all, it was the interactions that Bruno had with the patients that gave the visit a personal touch. His ability to communicate with the kids, sing for them and with them made the visit one that will be etched in the memories of each in attendance.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles encourages personal expression through Music Therapy and other forms of art, which is made available to patients through the Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer Artists Program.  The innovative program model brings together local artists and performers with registered and certified Creative Arts Therapists to assist patients and families in building coping skills, exploring the thoughts and feelings related to hospitalization and illness, and utilizing the arts for exploration and self-expression.