TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

All Children's Fundraiser Slated

ADVERTISEMENT

By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: January 19, 2008

OLDSMAR, Fla. - OLDSMAR, Fla. - Krista Howe knows All Children's Hospital well.

The Oldsmar woman's 11-year-old son Tyler has been under treatment at the pediatric medical center in St. Petersburg since he was 18 months old. Tyler has been treated for both hydrocephalus, an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, and Dandy-Walker malformation, a congenital malformation of the cerebellum, the smaller portion of the brain, which is involved in sensory perception and motor control.

Howe is giving back to the hospital that is helping Tyler. She is a member of the North Pinellas Guild of All Children's Hospital.

On Jan. 23, the guild will have a luncheon and Island Cruisin' Fashion Show in the Trinity area of southwestern Pasco County to benefit the All Children's Foundation.

Funds raised will go toward the neonatal intensive care unit in the new All Children's Hospital now under construction.

According to the hospital's Web site, the $400 million project began in 2005 and is scheduled for completion next year. The 775,000-square-foot facility will feature 240 patient beds and state-of-the-art facilities for pediatric health problems.

All Children's Hospital is western Florida's only specialty licensed children's hospital, according to the Web site. The hospital also has a specialty care center in New Port Richey and therapy center in East Lake.

"When you say All Children's, you immediately think babies," Howe observed.

But the hospital treats children of all ages, she noted. Her sister Jamie was successfully treated there for encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, when she was 16.

Howe promises a light-hearted event for a serious cause. "It will be a great fun time."

The fashion show features cruise fashions from the Cotton Patch brand.

That is to get attendees in the mood for the February fundraiser of a Carnival Cruise Lines cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival Cruise has agreed to match the portion of the cruise cost going to All Children's.

Additionally, there will be prize drawings for gift baskets.

The event is open to the public.

Doors open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Heritage Springs Golf and Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity.

From North Pinellas, take East Lake Road north to Trinity Boulevard and then head east to Little Road.

Call Joyce at 727-943-2264, or Susan at 727-781-0917 for information or reservations.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT