Beckett supports oncology patients

In late April, Red Sox ace Josh Beckett presented a check for more than $100,000 to Children's President and CEO, James Mandell, MD, and patients from Children's Oncology department. The generous donation supports cancer care and research. The check represents proceeds raised from last year's inaugural Beckett Bowl, a charity 10-pin bowling tournament hosted by the Red Sox star, which featured athletes from every Boston professional sports team, top celebrities and media personalities.

A heart-to-heart for kids

Philips Healthcare is giving a gift from the heart to save the hearts of Boston Public School students and athletes. Philips is supporting Children's Boston Public Schools Sports Medicine Initiative by placing HeartStart automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in 17 Boston Public Schools. The life-saving equipment is used to shock the heart of someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest—the leading cause of death among young athletes. Philips also partnered with the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Comcast SportsNet to create an awareness campaign about the importance of AEDs. Mayor Thomas Menino recently showed his support in a celebration at Children's.

Cinemavision comes to Children's Hospital Boston at Waltham

Cinemavision, a new state-of-the-art virtual entertainment system, allows patients at our Waltham location to watch their favorite movie while having an MRI. A goggle-like apparatus is placed over the patient's eyes so the child can watch a movie. The system comes with headphones and a microphone, allowing the MRI techs and patient to communicate during the procedure. "We've been able to do kids who would normally need sedation," says Arnold Cyr, MRI supervisor. "It's even helped with older kids who suffer from claustrophobia."