Media Contacts
Marguarite Clark
Marguarite Clark Public Relations
(949) 295-2081

Autumn Strier
Miracles for Kids
(714) 730-3040

For Immediate Release


Orange County-Based Miracles for Kids Expands Grant Program at CHOC

Program Provides Financial Assistance to Families in Need

IRVINE, CA (January 30, 2009) - Miracles for Kids, an Irvine-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses, has announced that it will expand its highly successful Grant Program that operates at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).

According to Miracles for Kids Executive Director Autumn Strier, the program was created in 2006 to provide financial aid for children in treatment for a life-threatening illness. Currently, it serves families with youngsters in the hospital's oncology and hematology departments. Fueled by significant community support, the program has grown considerably each year, and with this expansion, will now provide aid to families with children in all CHOC departments, among them neurology, cardiology, and infectious disease.

The Grant Program was launched at CHOC to address the numerous financial needs -- including rent or mortgage costs, transportation, insurance co-payments and physician bills -- of families with a child in treatment. CHOC social services representatives initially screen interested parents, and if the patient and family fit the program guidelines, they submit a grant application directly to Miracles for Kids.

"We are thrilled to be able to increase our outreach, and are confident the newly expanded program will positively impact a growing number of area families," Strier said. Since its creation, the program has provided aid to hundreds of Southern California children and families in need - providing a total of $167,034 in assistance.

Founded in 2001, Miracles for Kids' mission is to improve the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The organization accomplishes this mission by providing families with financial and other support necessary to cope with a child's illness; by providing funds to non-profits and other entities that support or conduct research focused on eradicating life-threatening childhood diseases and by serving as an advocate for children and families who are fighting life-threatening diseases.

About Miracles for Kids
Founded in 2001, Irvine-based Miracles for Kids’ mission is to improve the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The organization accomplishes this mission by providing families with the financial support necessary to cope with a child’s illness; by providing funds to non-profits and other entities that support or conduct research focused on eradicating life-threatening childhood diseases and by serving as an advocate for children and families who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

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