The Cooper Foundation of the Cooper Health System received a $30,000 grant from the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation. The grant, which includes a $10,000 matching gift from the Ravitz Family Foundation, will support funding to create a teen lounge for patients at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper.
“We are thrilled to accept this generous grant,” said Robyn Harvey, senior director of patient care services. “Here at Cooper, we are committed to providing world-class care for our patients and their families. This grant will enable us to create a safe, fun and interactive environment suitable for our adolescent patients.”
A large portion of the funding will build a teen center at the Children’s Regional Hospital with furniture, computers, large screen TV, gaming and entertainment center, and other items dedicated for adolescents 12 years of age and older. In addition, the grant will cover the cost of 100 Teen Kits, nylon backpacks filled with games and activities for adolescent patients.
“On behalf of the entire Cooper team, we are touched by the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation and Ravitz Family Foundation’s commitment to provide hope and comfort to our patients,” said Susan Bass Levin, president and CEO of The Cooper Foundation. “Their generosity will allow us to continue to provide our adolescent patients with the exceptional care they deserve.”
The Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation was established in 2002 in memory of Alicia Rose DiNatale, who passed away from a rare form of cancer at the young age of 17. Throughout her hospitalization, Alicia and her parents, Mario and Gisele DiNatale, found there was little for teens to do to escape the rigors of their treatment. Today, ARVF is dedicated to bringing hope, comfort, and entertainment to in-patient children faced with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
“We are so pleased to be partners with the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper. Cooper has always been in our backyard and has been our family’s hospital for three generations,” said Gisele DiNatale, co-founder and director of the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation in Voorhees. “To be able to give back to the South Jersey children Cooper serves is so gratifying.”
The Ravitz Family Foundation expressed an interest in supporting the Cooper project through its partnership with the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation.
“As a committed supporter of Cooper, we are honored to work with the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation to make this teen lounge a reality,” said Steve Ravitz, chairman of the board of The Ravitz Family Foundation and member of The Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees. “Our foundation is dedicated to helping children and families in our community. What better way to help others than by creating a positive hospital experience for teens at Cooper.”
