(Madera, Calif.) – Valley Children’s Hospital today unveiled the Panda Cares Center of Hope, a specialized center dedicated to promoting healing and inspiring hope through specially curated programs. This space enables social services programs such as child life, social work, rehabilitation and spiritual support, to address children’s entire well-being, including their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs.
“We are so thankful for Panda Express’ incredible commitment and generosity in supporting organizations that serve the health and education needs of children,” said Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation President Robert Saroyan. “The Panda Cares Center of Hope is designed to create a safe and comforting place where kids can be kids again. The programs help patients cope with illness, treatment and hospitalization, offering support before, during and after a medical procedure.”
Services through the Panda Cares Center of Hope help patients and families understand treatment plans and goals, thus reducing stress and anxiety through the health process. Hope can be restored and healing can begin as children are enriched through therapeutic play, art therapy, physical therapy, meditation and counseling services.
“We are proud to partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to bring the vision of the Panda Cares Center of Hope to life and are humbled to be able to be part of the healing journey for the families and kids at these hospitals,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Children are our future, and we hope that through this partnership and curriculum designed to give children the strength to thrive, we will bring smiles and hope to communities nationwide.”
Made possible by donations from Panda Express guests and associates, the eight Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are celebrating Panda Cares Day on Saturday, August 8 - the anniversary of its philanthropic arm Panda Cares - with a virtual surprise story time and book donation from Panda.
To extend festivities to its guests, the American Chinese brand has organized a virtual fundraiser on August 8, to continue to drive donations to support Valley Children’s Hospital. When a guest places an order on the Panda Express mobile app or website using the promo code “PandaCaresDay,” Panda Express will donate 28% of online sales to Valley Children’s Hospital.
Following a commitment of $25 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope in 2019, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations across several hospitals in the United States, including California, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Arizona and Illinois.
Over the past 11 years, Panda Express guests and associates from Merced to Porterville have raised more than $2.5 million for Valley Children’s.