PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 4, 2006

MEDIA - FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Deborah Perry Phone (361) 442-4538

YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS & SURVIVORS
LEAVE PAINFUL PROCEDURES, TREATMENTS BEHIND
TO GO FISHIN’

2006 Driscoll Children’s Hospital Chemo Kids Fish-Off
Monday, July 10, 2006

8 a.m. - Boats Launch
11 a.m. – Boats return and activities (weighing/measuring and fish printing)
12 Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

Palm Harbor Marina ? 151 Port Avenue, Rockport
Highway 35 between Aransas Pass and Rockport

(Corpus Christi, TX) Gone fishin’! This summer, more than 40 youngsters from Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s Oncology and Hematology Clinic will don their favorite fishing gear and cast off during the 2006 Driscoll Children’s Hospital Chemo Kids Fish-Off. Created for Driscoll’s young patients living with or recovering from cancer or blood disorders such as leukemia, different types of tumors, hemophilia and sickle cell, the event will take place on Monday, July 10, 2006 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Palm Harbor Marina in Rockport.

Fishing guides from the Coastal Bend Guides Association volunteer their time and boats, and more importantly, their fishing expertise for a fun-filled day enjoying one of the greatest outdoor pleasures in South Texas - fishing! Driscoll’s young fishermen will participate in a mini-fishing tournament culminating with awards for biggest fish, smallest fish, heaviest fish, and most unusual catch of the day. Each child will also receive a trophy. Children from all over South Texas are slated to participate including Corpus Christi, Mathis, Robstown, Alice, Aransas Pass, Sinton, Kingsville, Portland, Ricardo, and Rockport.

“Even the worst day of fishing is far better then a day of chemotherapy,” says Tom Hall, President of the Coastal Bend Guides Association. “I think the guides have as much fun as the kids.”

The fish-off also allows Driscoll Oncology and Hematology Clinic employees to step out from their roles of helping kids conquer cancer, and simply be friends. On-shore, additional volunteers will grill up burgers and hot dogs. The day concludes with an awards ceremony and a chance for every child to remember the day with a fish print on a t-shirt.

The 2006 Driscoll Children’s Hospital Chemo Kids Fish-Off is a success with the help of the Coastal Bend community including the Coastal Bend Guides Association, Palm Harbor Marina, and Coastal Bend Chapter of Credit Unions. In addition, H-E-B, Lyondell/Equistar, Corpus Christi Hooks, Junior League of Corpus Christi, and Auxiliary to Driscoll Children’s Hospital also support the event.

Driscoll Children's Hospital Logo
About Driscoll Children’s Hospital
“Improve the health of adults and you give them back their health …
Improve the health of children and you give them their life.”

Since opening its doors in 1953, Driscoll Children’s Hospital has been offering hope and healing to the children of South Texas for half a century. The facility is a 189-bed pediatric tertiary care center with pediatric board-certified specialists representing 19 medical and nine surgical specialties. Each year, more than 6,000 children are admitted for inpatient care, 5,000 for day surgery, and 50,000 for outpatient primary and specialty care, as well as 40,000 for emergency care, as the first South Texas hospital with emergency services exclusively for children. Additionally, Driscoll maintains a state-of-the-art ground/air transport team, 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit, 40-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and specialized medical outreach.

www.driscollchildrens.org

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