Eastwood Rotary pledges $35,000 to Central New York Children's Hospital

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Eastwood Rotary Club has pledged $35,000 to the Central New York Children's Hospital capital campaign. The gift will name a pediatric oncology/hematology patient room in the children's hospital.

"The Eastwood Rotary Club and Foundation are pleased to make this donation to name a room at the new CNY Children's Hospital," said Ray O'Neil, Eastwood Rotary Foundation president. "This room will provide for children when they are sick and in need of special care. With this donation, Eastwood Rotary Club continues its community service mission throughout Central New York."

The donation was made possible by the establishment of the Eastwood Rotary Foundation as the philanthropic arm of Eastwood Rotary Club. "Eastwood Rotary epitomizes the Rotary motto ?Service Above Self,'" said Jenny Doane, past president of Eastwood Rotary and an Upstate Medical University employee.

"We have worked hard at our fund-raising projects for the past 22 years to be able to provide a gift for a worthy cause. What better cause than the children of Central New York and the Children's Hospital at SUNY Upstate Medical University?"

Eastwood Rotary is encouraging other Rotary Clubs in District 7150 to join them in supporting the Children's Hospital project. Rotary District 7150 comprises 48 Rotary Clubs throughout the Central New York. "The 48 clubs in the District have enthusiastically endorsed the construction of the new Children's Hospital in Syracuse," said Carol Anthony, assistant governor for Area 4. "Eastwood Rotary Club has led the way as a banner club with its pledge to the Children's Hospital. With the support of other clubs, Rotary District 7150 will help to ensure that future generations of children will receive the critical medical care they need and deserve at the new Children's Hospital."

"Rotary International believes that children are our greatest gift of today and our primary resources for tomorrow," said Rev. James Austin, centennial governor of District 7150 and governor of Area 4. "There is no more beneficial project to support than the Children's Hospital, which will serve the children of Upstate New York."

The Eastwood Rotary pledge of $35,000 is in the top 1.5 percent of gifts to date in the Children's Hospital campaign.

"It is truly inspirational to see the tremendous impact that a small organization, truly committed to community service, can have on the Children's Hospital project and the youth of Central New York," said Children's Hospital Campaign Manager Don Zorn, who accepted the The first installment, a $7,000 donation, of the Rotary Club's five-year pledge. "We are fortunate and grateful for this remarkable support from the Eastwood Rotary Club and Rotary District 7150."

SUNY Upstate Medical University and Rotary District 7150 have a rich history of partnering on pediatric endeavors. The District's Gift of Life program has brought 33 children around the world to University Hospital for life-saving heart surgery.

Rotary International has a 100-year history of supporting the health and welfare of children in the United States and around the world. Since 1985, teaming with The World Health Organization, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and UNICEF, Rotary

International has committed over $240 million to eradicate polio throughout the world. Nearly 2 billion children have been immunized to date.

The Central New York Children's Hospital, slated to open in December 2007, will feature 50 private patient rooms with a range of amenities, including resource rooms, family activity areas, an indoor park and performance area.

For more information on the children's hospital or to make a contribution to the campaign, call 464-KIDS or visit the Children's Hospital website at: http://www.upstate.edu/cnych/.