#oneGIANTthanks $280,000 gift!
In honor of Giant Food Stores’ 95th anniversary celebration, today Giant announced a gift of $280,000 to Children’s Miracle Network to support a 3D heart model printing program for patients with congenital heart disease at Penn State Children’s Hospital. The announcement was held in tandem with Giant’s annual lunch for patients and their families at the Children’s Hospital. In addition, seven pediatric heart patients and their families attended to share their stories and celebrate the announcement.
Since 2015, the Children’s Hospital’s cardiology team has used 3D printing to create heart models for the most complex patients prior to surgery to help improve their understanding of the patient’s anatomy and make decisions about surgical approaches. This initial project was made possible through a grant provided by Children’s Miracle Network. With additional funding provided by Giant, the program can harness improved technology and expand to treat additional heart patients.
“This technology enhances our ability to plan our most complex surgeries, teach our students and physicians in training and improve our ability to counsel families in a meaningful and compassionate way,” said Robert Tunks, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at Penn State Children’s Hospital. “With this gift as a significant starting point, we aim to make Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center a leading Applied Research Center for Medical Additive Manufacturing. Thank you, Giant, for this wonderful gift.”
In addition to this gift, Giant Food Stores and the Giant Family Foundation donates more than $700,000 annually to Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital to fund family-centered programs, equipment and research. The funds are raised through in-store icon campaigns and a golf outing.
Photo Caption #1:
Nicholas Bertram, center, president of Giant Food Stores, presents a check to pediatric cardiologist Dr. Robert Tunks for Children’s Miracle Network to support a 3D heart model printing program for patients with congenital heart disease at Penn State Children’s Hospital. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #2:
Employees with Giant Food Stores on Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg examine the 3D printed heart models on display. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #3:
|Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding, chair of pediatrics for Penn State Children’s Hospital, thanks Giant Food Stores for donating $280,000 to support a 3D heart model printing program. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #4:
Janette Migliori of Lewisberry becomes emotional as she reflects on the care her 2-year-old daughter, Joella, received. Joella was born with VACTERL association and endured 15 surgeries before she was six months old. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #5:
Patients, their families and staff enjoy a lunch donated by Giant Food Stores. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #6:
2-year-old Joella Migliori, a heart patient from Lewisberry, and her father, Mario, present a thank you gift to Nicholas Bertram, President of Giant Food Stores. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #7:
Surrounded by pediatric heart patients, Giant Food Stores presents a check to Children’s Miracle Network to support a 3D heart model printing program for patients with congenital heart disease at Penn State Children’s Hospital. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #8:
3-year-old Henry Thomas of Boiling Springs poses with a 3D printed model of his own heart. Henry had surgery in 2017 to repair a coarctation of the aorta. #oneGIANTthanks
Photo Caption #9:
A thank you message to Giant Food Stores drawn in chalk greets patients and visitors outside Penn State Children’s Hospital. #oneGIANTthanks