FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Panda Cares Center of Hope at Cook Children's is a specialized program dedicated to promote healing and inspire hope through child life programming and playrooms. Currently, the program is available in five playrooms at Cook Children's, but will transition to its own space with construction of a new facility on the medical center's campus. The goal is to bring courage and hope to patients, helping them heal and thrive through programs and services that focus on each child's entire well-being.
"Cook Children's is incredibly grateful for Panda Express. Panda associates continually go above and beyond their call of duty to impact the patients and families of Cook Children's. Today, we look toward the future as we continue to partner with this amazing organization through Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The Panda Cares Center of Hope supports our Promise to improve the health of every child, and we are thankful for Panda Express' dedication to providing these programs and services in our community, " Grant Harris, SVP, Chief Development Officer of Cook Children's Health Foundation.
"We are proud to partner with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be able to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals," said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. "Children are our future, and we hope that through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide."
The Panda Cares Center of Hope will include therapeutic play and art, music therapy and family centered care. Made possible by Panda Express guests and associates donations, the eight Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are celebrating Panda Cares Day on August 8—the anniversary of its philanthropic arm Panda Cares—with a virtual surprise story time and book donation from Panda.
To extend festivities to its guests, the American Chinese brand has organized a virtual fundraiser on August 8, to continue to drive donations to support Cook Children's. When a guest places an order on the Panda Express mobile app or website using the promo code 'PandaCaresDay' Panda Express will donate 28% of the pre-tax sales to Cook Children's.
Following a commitment of $25 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope in 2019, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations across several hospitals in the U.S. including California, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Arizona and Illinois.
Panda Express guests and their associates in the greater north Texas area have raised more than $1.8 million for Cook Children's over the past 11 years.
About Cook Children's:
Cook Children's Health Care System embraces an inspiring Promise – to improve the health of every child in our region through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, we're proud of our long and rich tradition of serving our community.
Our not-for-profit organization encompasses nine companies – a medical center, two surgery centers, a physician network, home health services and a health plan. It also includes Child Study Center at Cook Children's, Cook Children's Health Services Inc., and Cook Children's Health Foundation. With more than 60 primary, specialty and urgent care locations throughout Texas, families can access our top-ranked specialty programs and network of services to meet their unique needs.
About Panda Express®
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express, an American Chinese Trailblazer, is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart® selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,000 locations throughout the U.S. and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to more than ten international countries. Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares, the organization's philanthropic arm, has raised more than $212 million and countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 12 million youths as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
SOURCE Cook Children’s Medical Center
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