LGB Trains on display at the new Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, New York, N.Y.- When the giant pennant bearing the insignia of the only children's hospital in the nation to be named for a child was placed atop the 174-foot Union State Bank Tower, a distinguishing architectural design element of the new hospital, the crowd of 1,000 cheered and parents cried. At that moment, it became undeniably apparent that a child's wish had ignited a passion in men, women and children from all walks of life who, in their own way, have helped to lay the beams of the new Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.

This ceremony, which took place In October of 2002, marked the completion of the steel superstructure of the 260,000-square-foot Children's Hospital. The topping off ceremony was the pinnacle of Westchester Medical Center's year-long 25th anniversary celebration commemorating a quarter century of advanced care-medicine in the Hudson Valley region. Additionally, the date marked the seventh anniversary of the death of Maria Fareri, a then-13-year-old girl from Greenwich, CT, who was diagnosed with bat rabies and cared for at the Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in 1995.

"Our daughter Maria was a vibrant teenager when she was suddenly struck ill," said Brenda Fareri, Maria's mother, who along with her husband, John, spearheaded the movement and campaign to build the new Children's Hospital. "Throughout her life, Maria's wish was to help other children. It is so fulfilling for us to see Maria's wish becoming a reality."

"Every year, 25,000 kids are treated at the Children's Hospital," said Dr. Michael Gewitz, Director of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital at the Westchester Medical Center. "This new facility will make it easier to deliver family-centered care that will match the excellent medical and nursing care that is provided here every day."

There are many gifts that will be on permanent display when the new Children's Hospital opens in mid August of 2004. The first is a Vietnam-era medevac helicopter that has been painted to replicate STAT Flight, Westchester Medical Center's medevac helicopter service. The helicopter has been refurbished by volunteers at the Historical Aircraft Hanger at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn over the past year. The helicopter was donated by the Federal Government Surplus Property Agency and will be on permanent display as part of the "action art" at the new Maria Fareri Children's Hospital.

Also on display above the nurse station is a custom LGB track configuration featuring the big, bold and beautiful Southern Pacific loco along with an array of cars. Tony Castellano, COO of LGB of America, Inc. states, "To say that the hospital is impressive is an understatement. It will truly set a benchmark for children's hospitals
worldwide and I can't wait for the official opening.

"On behalf of the LGB family, we are very proud to be working with the hospital and its staff with the installation of our big, bold and beautiful LGB trains. Our purpose in this partnership is to reach out to the community and to bring joy into the lives of the facility's hospitalized children, their parents, friends and family. It is a privilege to work with everyone connected with this incredible medical facility."

A refurbished fire truck cab is on display and was donated in memory of Paul Tegtmeier, a New York City firefighter from Hyde Park who died in the World Trade Center attacks.

His wife, Cathi, is a STAT Flight Nurse at Westchester Medical Center. She asked her friends, Ray and Kathy Nichols, who sell and repair fire trucks, to donate the truck to the
Children's Hospital. They, along with other volunteers from the Hyde Park community, refurbished the truck and made it wheelchair accessible. It will be incorporated into the building when it is completed.

The MTA donated a beautiful F-7 loco for a display at the hospital. The plans are to turn this into a train museum for train lovers of all ages.

Westchester Medical Center currently has a 109-bed children's hospital, which is recognized by the National Association of Children's Hospitals (NACHRI), housed within the main hospital tower. The hospital provides all medical and surgical specialties, with more than 350 health professionals dedicated specifically to children's healthcare. The existing Children's Hospital was built during a time when parents were discouraged from staying with their children during hospital admission. Today, medical philosophy encourages full parental participation in child medical care.

The Children's Hospital Foundation at Westchester Medical Center continues its "Reach for the Stars" fundraising campaign to build the new comprehensive Children's Hospital on the Valhalla campus. To date, more than $30 million has been raised toward its goal. The new
Children's Hospital and Regional Trauma Center will cost $147 million. More than 10,000 people have contributed or helped to raise money from the community.


CONTACT: Diane T. Creston
Crestonassoc@aol.com


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