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The Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Fund's major accomplishments include:
Raising over $725,000 to help improve the quality of life of Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) patients As a direct result of the overwhelming success of the 9 Triathlons in Ventura, California and the 5 annual 4-mile runs in New York City the Breath of Life Fund has raised over $725,000 to improve patient care facilities and related matters. (Back to top of page) Pledging $750,000 to construct the Dina Room in the Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA
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PI patients spend long hours each month in the treatment room receiving intravenous treatment injections to control their PI. When treatments fail, patients spend many more hours in the hospital. Although the Division of Clinical Immunology at Mt. Sinai (and its associated Jeffrey Modell Laboratory) is world renown for its treatment and research related to PI, the patient facilities were overcrowded, sterile looking, and offered limited diversions for patients receiving their treatments.
The patients and nurses are ecstatic with their new surrounding and diversions. FANCY FINANCING: YOUR $1 = $8 Financing the effort was one of the significant components of making the Dina Room a reality. All Dina LaVigna Fund contributions were matched at least twice, in some cases three times, to finance the new infusion room. It worked like this: every dollar received by the Dina LaVigna Fund was fully matched by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation (making $2).
To complete the financing effort, Novartis and Baxter Pharmaceutical firms generously contributions to the effort. Due to the tremendous success of the Dina Room project, the Dina LaVigna Fund will use this "new math" as the model for financing all future efforts. According to Mt. Sinai, this funding scheme was the first of its kind that they know of. All parties in the money chain benefited tremendously from the effort. Be proud, it all started with your dollar. Sponsorship of holiday party for patients, families and healthcare workers at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA
Beginning in 2001, the Dina LaVigna Breath of Life fund provided funding for this annual December holiday party. It is our intention to continue to sponsor this event to encourage patient, family and healthcare worker interaction and well-being.
The Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Fund is proud that it again was a major sponsor of the annual UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital holiday party in December, 2004 for the children with primary immunodeficiency, other blood diseases and cancer. The sponsorship of this holiday party, that means so much to these children, is made possible because of the money we raise from the annual Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon/Relay and the NYC 4-mile race. Most of these children have some form of life threatening disease. They are in and out of the hospital receiving various types of treatment. It was a memorable event for them as they look forward to the party all year. Funding artwork to improve treatment spaces at Children's Hospital Los Angeles In the Fall of 2001, the Dina LaVigna Breath of Life fund made financial contributions to the Department of Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The contributions were used to purchase picture frames to hang artwork created by patients of the Departments. The purpose of the artwork was to make the clinical spaces more attractive and inviting to patients, their families, and care givers.
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Immediately after starting the Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Fund, we worked with
the prestigious Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City to improve the clinical space
that serves patients with Primary Immunodeficiency (PI). While small steps were
taken early on, our ultimate goal was to obtain additional treatment space and make
the new space more uplifting and warm for the patients.
On April 17, 2000 Dina's dream became a reality when the Dina LaVigna "Breath of Life"
Room was dedicated in Mt. Sinai Hospital. The "Dina Room" as it is now commonly known,
is a state-of-the-art infusion clinic that will treat children and adults suffering from
Primary Immunodeficiency disorders. The "Dina Room" is considered the best of its kind
in the world. Although New York City hospital space is a precious commodity, we were able
to increase the size of the treatment room over 100%.
The space boasts a very stylish and homey environment with comfortable reclining chairs,
TV, VCR, two computers with internet access, patient desks with telephones, a coffee
machine and a refrigerator. The room has been updated with a nursing station with space
to accommodate mixing pharmaceuticals, storing medical supplies, patient files, and office
desk and equipment. The room has been decorated throughout with pleasing pictures, end
tables, plants and the participant medallions from each year of the Breath of Life
Triathlon/Relay Fundraiser. In addition, the Dina LaVigna "Breath of Life" Room contains
amenities such as subscriptions to various magazines, a collection of videos, computer
games, portable radio tape players, children's toys, and arts and crafts supplies.
In building the infusion room, Mr. Sinai Hospital fully matched the Funds' effort bringing
the total to $4. If an employer also matches the gift, with the
Each year the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital hosts
a holiday party for the children with primary immunodeficiency, other blood diseases and
cancer. This tradition began about 25 years ago.
In December 2002, the party was larger than ever and was attended by over two hundred and
fifty children and their families, and was held in Covel Commons Sunset Center on the UCLA
campus. Activities for the children included making ornaments, decorating cookies, and
meeting Santa Claus. A wonderful buffet was provided by UCLA catering department. Dodger
outfielder Dave Roberts was all smiles as he signed autographs and chatted with the patients.
All of the children who attended the party received gifts, generously provided by Mattel, Inc.
