Mother of former Winthrop patient makes special donation

It is in giving that we most receive. This was a lesson that Marina Salazar of Mineola learned early in life and it is also probably why she decided to give back to Winthrop-University Hospital during a holiday season of compassion, peace and love.

On the evening of Dec. 21, she and her two sons, Jesse, 9, and Jason, 12, delivered 19 VCRs, a Nintendo 64 system and assorted video games with cartridges to the Child Life Program at Winthrop, part of the Department of Pediatrics of the Institute for Family Care.

Her gift means that every pediatric bed will have its own VCR, enabling young patients to watch their favorite tapes. Previously, the hospital had only three VCRs, each with a video game system and sometimes, children had to wait their turn to use them.

"We've been there and we know how difficult it is for some families to pay for television and telephone services," said Ms. Salazar, who works full-time at North Fork Bank in order to support her family. "It broke our hearts to think of a hospitalized child having to wait for the VCR or a game. I felt that my family could make a difference."

Raising funds for the Winthrop contribution was only one more challenge in a young life that had already witnessed its share of challenges. She had never before attempted fund-raising and was amazed and gratified at her own success.

As a young mother, Ms. Salazar had become all too familiar with the many miracles worked at Winthrop-University Hospital. The younger of her two sons, 9-year-old Jesse, had been diagnosed with leukemia and treated at Winthrop. The Salazars received a great blessing when Jesse achieved remission. Jesse's doctor, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist Mark Atlas, MD, a member of the medical staff at Winthrop, described the third grader's prognosis as "very good."

Energized by her great joy at Jesse's remission, Ms. Salazar decided to do something for Winthrop. Tapping into her circle of friends, neighbors and co-workers, she raised enough money to provide the many VCRs and related entertainment for Winthrop's Pediatric patients. The sincerity of her desire to help children and her dedication were contagious and many generous people came forward to contribute.

Jesse, who attends the Cross Street School, and Jason, a seventh grade student at the Mineola Middle School, helped their mother and hospital personnel in making the impressive delivery of gifts to the Child Life Program.

AnnMarie DeFrancesca, MS, CCLS, Child Life specialist, was bursting with enthusiasm and gratitude as the 19 boxes of VCRs were rolled into the Child Life Activities Room on a dolly.

The Child Life Program provides educational and play therapy programs, which help to alleviate children's anxiety about hospitalization. Not all the patients are well enough to spend time in the Activities Room and having a VCR at each bed means that every hospitalized child has access to video games and tapes. Recreation and understanding of the hospital environment play important roles in a child's recovery.

As night fell and the Winthrop holiday tree began to sparkle with lights and color, Marina Salazar and her two sons brought their incredible gifts to the littlest one who receive care at Winthrop. Long after the Christmas of 2000 has passed, many future patients will enjoy the gifts of the Salazar family.

For further information on Winthrop's Child Life Program, call AnnMarie DeFrancesca at 663-2761.