CONTACT: Mary Margaret Colliver, (859) 361-1887 or Sara J. Reichbaum,
(859) 323-8443
FOR RELEASE
Kentucky Children's Hospital Honors Kohl’s
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2007) – UK HealthCare Kentucky Children’s Hospital is hosting a fall festival at Gainesway Outreach Center in Lexington to celebrate Kohl's Kentucky Children's Hospital School-Based Asthma Program, made possible by a gift from Kohl's. The festival will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
During the event, school-aged children will be encouraged to participate in several games promoting physical activity including a 4-in-1 and mini hoops inflatables, corn hole, and hula hoops. Free healthy snacks and information about asthma will be available. During the event, representatives from Kohl’s will present Kentucky Children’s Hospital with a check to support the asthma program.
Dave Baker, WKYT-TV sports personality, and Keenan Burton, a UK football wide receiver, will play games with the students.
The Kohl's UK School-Based Asthma Program will be in eight Fayette County elementary and middle schools where many children have limited access to health care. The program will also be hosted in all elementary, middle and high schools in Rockcastle County, one of the poorest counties in Kentucky with a high prevalence of asthma. Children in these schools will receive free screenings for asthma, and if identified with asthma, will be referred to primary care physicians. As part of the program, children will have the opportunity to see asthma specialists at the school to provide follow-up care and help minimize disruption in school and personal life due to asthma. Doctors, nurses and support staff from the UK College of Medicine Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine and school staff will work to identify students with asthma and help them have a better understanding of the disease and what they can do to help themselves.
“Kentucky Children’s Hospital is dedicated to caring for children across the state. The Kohl's UK School-Based Asthma Program makes it possible for us to help many children manage their asthma, understand what triggers these attacks, learn how to monitor symptoms and understand what treatment options are available,” said Dr. Michael Anstead, assistant professor of pediatrics, UK College of Medicine, and pediatric pulmonologist at Kentucky Children's Hospital. "We appreciate the gift from Kohl's that makes this program possible."
Kohl’s commitment to Kentucky Children's Hospital is made possible through Kohl’s Cares for Kids. Net profits from the sale of special merchandise supports children’s health and education. Through 2006, Kohl’s has raised more than $85 million for such initiatives nationwide. The program also includes the Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program for youth volunteers, fundraising gift cards for local schools and nonprofit groups, and an associate program to encourage volunteerism.
For more information about the Kohl's UK School-Based Asthma Program or Kentucky Children's Hospital, call Loralyn Cecil at (859) 257-1106 or e-mail .
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In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university, please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html.
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