Contact: Mary Yarborough
843.792.3622
April 10, 2007
CHARLESTON -- MUSC Children's Hospital patients got to mingle with some of the world's top tennis stars as they imprinted their painted hands on a canvass as part of Hyundai's nationwide Hope on Wheels to raise awareness of cancer in children. Tennis players competing in this week's Family Circle Cup visited with the children, which also included a visit to a bed-ridden child who could not participate in the hand-painting in the hospital's Atrium. The hand-printed canvass will be displayed at participating dealerships.
The players visiting the children were Nicole Vaidisova, the tournament's top seed; Patty Schnyder, also a top-10 competitor and Charleston favorite; and Corina Morariu, a top-ranked doubles player who also survived and overcame a rare form of leukemia during her professional career.
"I know how good it feels to be in the hospital and have company," said Morariu. "It gives us great satisfaction to bring smiles to the children's faces. As a professional athlete, I understand how difficult it is to endure cancer. I cannot imagine what it must be like for these little children."
Vaidisova called the children "courageous," adding, "I see these kids and their great spirits. It's not just having a great forehand or backhand, the sorts of things we worry about, but for these children, it takes so much to make it through the day."
Schnyder, who is competing in the Family Circle Cup for the 11th year, said that she enjoys visiting with children wherever she plays. "We like to come to the hospital, because it gives us great satisfaction to visit with these children, and it helps us, too. We cannot imagine being in the hospital for such a long time. We like to bring smiles to their faces."
Hope on Wheels brings the personal triumphs, big and small, of each patient to other children across the country, because the company also believes that one child's milestone can be another's symbol of hope. As part of its commitment, Hyundai is donating $10,000 to the Children's Hospital's unique aquatic Seewall project. For more information, visit: http://www.hyundaihopeonwheels.com.
About MUSC Children's Hospital
MUSC Children's Hospital is dedicated to enhancing the health of children throughout South Carolina and to providing an environment that supports excellence in pediatric patient care, teaching and research. Built in 1987, Children's Hospital is South Carolina's largest and most comprehensive pediatric healthcare center. MUSC Children's Hospital has earned top ranking from U.S. News & World Report, American Health Magazine and The Best Doctors in America. Child magazine continues to rank MUSC Children's Hospital as one of the top pediatric facilities in the country. www.musckids.com
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 10,000 employees, including 1,300 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.3 billion. MUSC operates a 600-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu or www.muschealth.com.
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