CLEVELAND – Cleveland philanthropist Iris S. Wolstein has donated $1 million to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Center at University Hospitals Case Medical Center to endow a physical fitness program for children with cancer. It is the largest gift the hospital has ever received to address physical fitness in chronically ill children.
In recognition of Mrs. Wolstein’s gift, the new physical fitness program will be named, “Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein’s Kids Kicking Cancer.” The gift allows Rainbow, in partnership with the Ireland Cancer Center, to offer a quarterly series of athletic skills clinics for children on and off treatment for cancer. In addition, Kids Kicking Cancer will offer programs to encourage physical activity and fitness at home year-round, as well as athletic conditioning by Rainbow’s pediatric sports medicine experts. Kids Kicking Cancer is one of many programs offered by Rainbow’s Center for Survivors of Childhood Cancer.
Mrs. Wolstein’s gift was announced today at the Kids Kicking Cancer Soccer Skills Clinic at Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby. Her gift is in memory of her late husband, Cleveland business-leader Bert L. Wolstein.
“We are so excited to be able to offer these unique activities to our patients and families, and we are incredibly grateful to Mrs. Wolstein for understanding the need for Kids Kicking Cancer and for her leadership and support,” said John Letterio, MD, chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at Rainbow. “It is really important to encourage young cancer patients to stay active, and these interactive clinics level the playing field for them and allow children to interact with their physicians and medical staff in a non-clinical environment. The impact of these events is immeasurable for these kids.”
Mrs. Wolstein was introduced to the need for a physical fitness program for pediatric cancer patients in 2006. Since that time she has worked in partnership with hospital leaders to pilot a Kids Kicking Cancer Soccer Skills Clinic and to plan future program expansion.
“Today’s gift represents two years of Mrs. Wolstein’s support and active involvement in building Kids Kicking Cancer into a comprehensive program to satisfy an important need,” said Dr. Letterio. “Programs like Kids Kicking Cancer will enable us to make an important difference in the lives of these children as they transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. I believe this is the most unique program in the country to promote physical fitness for kids with cancer, and that it will be emulated by other children’s hospitals.”
The new expanded program will now include swimming, golf and tennis clinics. Following the soccer clinic, the next Kids Kicking Cancer event will be a golf skills clinic on July 29 at The First Tee of Cleveland at Washington Park Golf Learning Center.
“Participating in developing this program since the first soccer clinic in 2006 has been such a rewarding experience, and I am proud to support Rainbow’s survivorship center with this gift,” said Iris S. Wolstein. “Cancer really affects these children’s self-esteem and confidence, and I have seen the smiles the soccer clinic puts on their faces. I wanted to do more.”
The Kids Kicking Cancer soccer clinic included skills stations, 3-on-3 games, and the kids’ favorite “kick –a-goal-past-your-doctor-or-nurse.” Hector Marinaro, coach, John Carroll University Soccer Team and former player for the Cleveland Force professional indoor soccer team and Tom Turner, director of coaching, Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN), as well as representatives from the Cleveland City Stars Professional Soccer Team were on-hand working with the kids. Participants will receive shin guards and a soccer ball, and special T-shirts to commensurate the day.
“Our whole Rainbow team – doctors, nurses, therapists, residents and everyone – was on-hand and interacting with the kids,” said Letterio.
“These events not only help the kids physically, but also emotionally,” said Dr. Leigh Josie, PhD, psychologist specializing in pediatric oncology patients at Rainbow. “They get to be carefree for the day. It’s all about the kids getting out there and enjoying themselves, building confidence in their physical abilities and interacting with each other. It is truly a blessing to be able to hold more of these events for them.”
Iris S. Wolstein is an honorary director of University Hospitals and a former trustee of Rainbow Babies & Children’s Foundation. In 2005, Mrs. Wolstein and her late husband Bert made a $25M gift to University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University to name the Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Research Building.