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Holiday card program inspires goodwill  by Cindy Abole Public Relations The Nov. 3 MUSC Children’s Hospital Kids Helping Kids Holiday Card kick off signifies the start of the holiday season at the Children’s Hospital.  Each year, children who are or have been Children’s Hospital patients share their artistic abilities to create these beautiful holiday greeting cards. With local sponsors underwriting the project costs, every cent of the proceeds are used to benefit children’s research, and patient and education programs at MUSC.  “For the past 12 years, the Holiday Card Program, initiated by Bill Deans, has generated more than $380,000. This combination of fund-raising, celebration and community involvement with the Children’s Hospital underscore the importance of the cooperative spirit at MUSC,” said L. Lyndon Key, M.D., chairman of pediatrics.  Six-year-old Courtney Young of Charleston shares her colorful card with Kara Marcus of Select Health of South Carolina, one of 32 MUSC Children's Hospital Fund Holiday Card sponsors involved in this annual project. Courtney, joined by dad, Richard, is the sister of a near-drowning patient treated at MUSC. Since 1992, the Holiday Card project has generated more than $300,000 in support of children's research, treatment of childhood diseases and the continuing education of pediatric health care professionals.  During the celebration, a total of 22 child artists and 32 Lowcountry business sponsors were recognized for the contributions and partnership. The event was hosted by Charleston Mayor Joe Riley who filled in for honorary chair, South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford. “The food was great, and the art beautifully reflected the happiness on the children’s faces,” Key said. “Although the day was warm, the human kindness was even warmer. This continuation of the Holiday Card Program provides us all with a time for joy and happiness as we enter this season of love and joy.” The holiday cards are packaged in sets of 16 assorted cards. A complete set of this year’s original cards are also available by purchasing two separate sets for a total of 32 original cards. One pack reflects a Christmas-oriented theme while the other features the holiday season.  The holiday card assortment is available for $10 at Belk department stores, BB&T, Bank of America, First Federal of Charleston, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, Children’s Hospital Gift Shop and the MUSC Student Wellness Center. For more information, contact the MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund at 792-1112. The cards can be seen online at  http://www.musckids.com/mad/holiday_cards_2004.html Children's Hospital patients whose artwork was selected for the Holiday Card Project are: Daniel Stemke, a 13-year-old liver transplant patient from the Isle of Palms Courtney Young, the 5-year-old sibling of a near drowning patient from Mount Pleasant Courtney Rutland, a 14-year-old orbital rhabdomysarcoma patient from Orangeburg Elizabeth Bergmann, an 8-year-old ovarian tumor patient from Lady's Island Erin Kelley, a 10-year-old patient with intestinal complications from Indianapolis Malorie Williams, an 11-year-old cousin of conjoined twins from Conway Ashley Neals, a 13-year-old chronic myelogenous leukemia patient from Harleyville Ricci Allen, a 9-year-old liver transplant patient from Charleston Emily Lyles, a 16-year-old achondroplasia patient from Summerville Kristin Patrick, a 8-year-old ECMO patient from St. George Dajon Frasier, a 6-year-old respiratory patient from Ravenel Liza Thompson and her caregiver, Teresa Vasquez Evan Biddy, a 9-year-old hemophilia patient from Myrtle Beach Bethany (Hope) Sutton, a 9-year-old diabetes patient from Charleston Jessica Weber, a 13-year-old appendectomy patient from Summerville Travis Evitt, a 12-year-old appendectomy patient from James Island Brandon Peek, a 10-year-old cerebral palsy patient from Ridgeville Tia Darling, a 7-year-old acute renal failure patient from Ladson Brittany Riddle, a 12-year-old patient diagnosed with dilated blood vessels from Myrtle Beach Alicia Richardson, a 16-year-old sibling of a hydrocephalus patient from Goose Creek Megan Lee, a 13-year-old diabetes patient from Georgetown Sullivan Leamond, a 10-year-old double-liver transplant patient from Mount Pleasant 2004 Holiday Card Project Sponsors are: David Gilston Insurance Agency;  The Beach Company; John Thompson and Julia Forrester; Barnwell, Whaley, Patterson & Helms; Francis Marion Hotel; Belk; Blackbaud; Bank of America; Cullum Constructors, Inc.; Hootie and the Blowfish; Johnson Controls; Palmetto Air and Water Balance; Santee Cooper; Select Health of South Carolina; West Ashley Toyota; William M. Bird and Company Inc.; Tom and Lynn McNally; IVS Video Inc.; Asten Johnson; Alcoa Mount Holly; CB Richard Ellis/Carmody, LLC; South Carolina Stingrays; Baker Motor Company; Northside Nissan;  Howe and Wyndham; BB&T; Bos Framing; Drs. Lyndon and Jan Key; Dunes Properties; Patrick Properties; Robert Bosch Corporation; and Millenia Medical Staffing.   Friday, Nov. 12, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.