CPMC launches new innovative program to help poor families

For any parent the birth of a new child is a cause for celebration, a magical, unforgettable moment. Now parents who give birth at California Pacific Medical Center will be able to mark that moment, and help families less fortunate than themselves, through a new program called Tiny Treasure Tributes.

Tiny Treasure Tributes are donations made in the name of the newborn child. The money raised is then used to fund services at our Women and Children's Hospital and at our St. Luke's Campus. Because the money is not earmarked for any specific purpose it can be used for the highest priority needs, such as purchasing new equipment, expanding programs, and helping poor, uninsured and low income families. Collectively each donor can make a significant difference.

"When people think of philanthropy they usually think of wealthy people making substantial donations," says Mark Kimbell, President of the CPMC Foundation. "But we wanted to create something that allowed the parents, grandparents, family and friends of the baby to make donations, as a way of celebrating the new arrival, and also of thanking the doctors, nurses and other staff who helped them bring a new life into the world."

"We are proud of the success of our Family-centered care," says Bernadette Smith, Chief Administrative Officer at CPMC's Women and Children's Hospital. "We now deliver more than half the babies born in San Francisco every year, and we do everything we can to make sure that it's a wonderful experience for the whole family. Programs like the Tiny Treasure Tributes support our efforts and help us do an even better job."

Those making gifts of $5,000 up to $9,999 will have their baby's name and birth details inscribed on a pinwheel and placed on permanent display outside the Mother Baby Units at the California Campus. For a gift of $10,000 or more the Foundation will highlight the child's name on its own individually designed butterfly plaque, which will be displayed next to the pinwheels. However, no gift is too small for the Tiny Treasure Tributes program, and all honorees will receive a personalized certificate announcing that a donation has been made in the name of their child.

"Every day we see the joy in the faces of moms, dads and partners and we know that many of them would like to share that joy with others," says Shannon Thomas, RN, Nurse Manager of Post Partum/Well Baby Nursery at CPMC. "The Tiny Treasure Tributes is a great program that allows people to celebrate and to give something back to the community at the same time."

"What better way to celebrate that moment than by helping thousands of others," says Jessica Eads, RN, MPH, PhD, Director of CPMC's Nursing Center of Excellence. "There is an ancient proverb that says 'If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.' All gifts to the Tiny Treasure Tributes are gifts from the heart and are all the more special for that."