June 2011
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Families,
We are delighted to share our recent newsworthy events, and hope that you continue to be inspired by our mission to create awareness, provide education and bring child life and development services to children and families in healthcare systems worldwide.
Since 1988, The Child Life Council has honored the child life profession’s outstanding leaders and pioneers with the annual Distinguished Service Award. In May, 2011, at the annual conference in Chicago, our own exceptional Board Member, Sheila Palm, was presented with this outstanding recognition; the highest award presented by the Child Life Council (CLC) Board of Directors. Sheila is currently the Child Life Manager at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. She transformed a 3-person program to a team of 18 staff members, and then in 1993, managed the merger of two separate child life departments as part of the system-wide hospital merger that created Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Under her steady and innovative leadership over the ensuing 18 years, the staff has grown to nearly 50 individuals. Beyond her work within her own institution, Sheila continually shares her expertise with other programs in her capacity as an author, policy reviewer, and champion. She has held CLC Board positions as President and Treasurer, been involved in strategic planning initiatives and currently participates in the International Task Force. We congratulate her for this well-deserved award and honor her as a member of our Executive Board.
Also this Spring, The Priyanka Foundation sponsored the special Top Girl trophy for both grades K-3 and 4-6 at the annual Minnesota School Chess Association’s state tournament, remembering that our own little girl, our inspiration, Priyanka, was an outstanding chess player. To support and encourage students to pursue the intellectual challenge and friendly competition of the game, our founder, Leela Rao, personally presented trophies to the First Place winners, reminding participants of the crown that each wears, in their role as global citizens. This is a good opportunity to point out that our foundation logo represents the King and Queen of the chess board!
The business of the foundation is expanding steadily, with two new employees hired as staff members at The Priyanka Child Life and Development Center at Manipal Hospital, in Bangalore, India. We are thrilled at the progress we are making in Bangalore, and each day, we receive updates from our team in India, letting us know that our programming brings positive and exciting experiences to sick kids and their families. In pursuit of our goal of global access to Child Life and Development, we hope to have a Center open in Mumbai by the end of the year.
This is an exciting time for The Priyanka Foundation, as we move forward, gathering momentum and global recognition. The mission remains focused and achievable: make a significant and positive impact in the lives of hospitalized children and their families. We invite you to help spread the word about The Priyanka Foundation and the crucial work performed by the Child Life and Development specialists. We appreciate your continued support, both financially and enthusiastically.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Global Service Award
The Priyanka Foundation is delighted to announce that Founder and Global Executive Director, Leela Rao, received the prestigious Womens' International Network (W.I.N.) Outstanding Service Award for 2010.
On March 7, 2011, Leela personally accepted the award in Los Angeles, where W.I.N. hosted a live global podcast to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Womens' International Network.
The Outstanding Service Award recognizes select nominees for their extraordinary efforts to make a positive difference in the world. Leela began The Priyanka Foundation, in 2007, to fulfill a promise to her daughter, who lost her battle with leukemia at the age of eight. Providing non-medical care to terminally and critically ill children hospitalized in India, The Priyanka Child Life and Development Centers, supported by the Foundation, allow children to live their dreams every day.
Leela gratefully acknowledged her stellar team, including The Priyanka Foundation board members, partners Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, California along with Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India.
The Chairwoman of the W.I.N. Award Selection Committee summed up this amazing tribute: "I had the great privilege of reading the hundreds of nominations submitted. It was a very difficult task to select winners! It warmed our hearts to read the amazing and touching stories of women worldwide. Their ages range from eighteen to ninety-one! Their efforts bless individual families and whole communities, set industry standards, help those in great distress, and lift, educate and inspire women across the globe. From Rwanda to Rochester, Pakistan to Peru, women are contributing and serving in diverse and remarkable ways!"
On March 7, 2011, Leela personally accepted the award in Los Angeles, where W.I.N. hosted a live global podcast to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Womens' International Network.
The Outstanding Service Award recognizes select nominees for their extraordinary efforts to make a positive difference in the world. Leela began The Priyanka Foundation, in 2007, to fulfill a promise to her daughter, who lost her battle with leukemia at the age of eight. Providing non-medical care to terminally and critically ill children hospitalized in India, The Priyanka Child Life and Development Centers, supported by the Foundation, allow children to live their dreams every day.
Leela gratefully acknowledged her stellar team, including The Priyanka Foundation board members, partners Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Children's Hospital and Research Center, Oakland, California along with Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India.
The Chairwoman of the W.I.N. Award Selection Committee summed up this amazing tribute: "I had the great privilege of reading the hundreds of nominations submitted. It was a very difficult task to select winners! It warmed our hearts to read the amazing and touching stories of women worldwide. Their ages range from eighteen to ninety-one! Their efforts bless individual families and whole communities, set industry standards, help those in great distress, and lift, educate and inspire women across the globe. From Rwanda to Rochester, Pakistan to Peru, women are contributing and serving in diverse and remarkable ways!"
Sweet Sixteen Fundraiser
Thank You for Celebrating our Sweet Sixteen fundraiser:
On behalf of the Priyanka Foundation Board of Directors, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for your enthusiastic support of our annual fundraising event with this year's 'Sweet Sixteen' celebration. The entire evening was great fun, with fabulous music from the band High and Mighty, delicious food and desserts, and a wonderful collection of global silent auction items. Together with your support, The Priyanka Foundation will continue to fund its global Child Life efforts, by hiring and training Child Life professionals to work with terminally sick children and their families during their hospital stay and arduous treatment schedules.
We could not achieve this milestone without the generosity of everyone who participated in person, kind or spirit. The countless hours of our dedicated volunteers enable this organization to make a difference in the world, one child at a time, and we appreciate their inspirational work with this successful fundraiser.
A special Thank You goes out to all of our generous corporate sponsors and silent auction donors for this event:
Legal Research Center, Cytegra, Pajamas with Love, Mario Nozzarella and Good to Go Fundraising, Esbee Public Relations, Milind Sohoni and The UPS Store, U.S. Bank, Ore Consulting, Kraemer's True Value, Ragamala Dance Theatre, Chef Raghavan Iyer, Jane Delarco Professional Hair Services, Dr. Ashlesha Tamboli, Café Latte, Christos Greek Restaurant, Patisserie Margo, Wakame Asian Bistro, Coopers Pub, Andrew Zimmern, Bela and Sanjay Kaul, D.R. Simon Construction LLC, Ms. Dawn Griffin and Halo Innovations, Camp Heartland, Ms. Carol Rouffaud and Wyndmere Naturals, Padma Chintapalli, Dr. Kiran Belani, Sarika Uppaluri, Marion and Karen Barber, Shreyas Chintapalli.
We look forward to a year filled with continued dedication and global awareness for the mission of The Priyanka Foundation, to live dreams around the world.
Most gratefully,
Leela Rao
Chairwoman and Global Executive Director.
On behalf of the Priyanka Foundation Board of Directors, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for your enthusiastic support of our annual fundraising event with this year's 'Sweet Sixteen' celebration. The entire evening was great fun, with fabulous music from the band High and Mighty, delicious food and desserts, and a wonderful collection of global silent auction items. Together with your support, The Priyanka Foundation will continue to fund its global Child Life efforts, by hiring and training Child Life professionals to work with terminally sick children and their families during their hospital stay and arduous treatment schedules.
We could not achieve this milestone without the generosity of everyone who participated in person, kind or spirit. The countless hours of our dedicated volunteers enable this organization to make a difference in the world, one child at a time, and we appreciate their inspirational work with this successful fundraiser.
A special Thank You goes out to all of our generous corporate sponsors and silent auction donors for this event:
Legal Research Center, Cytegra, Pajamas with Love, Mario Nozzarella and Good to Go Fundraising, Esbee Public Relations, Milind Sohoni and The UPS Store, U.S. Bank, Ore Consulting, Kraemer's True Value, Ragamala Dance Theatre, Chef Raghavan Iyer, Jane Delarco Professional Hair Services, Dr. Ashlesha Tamboli, Café Latte, Christos Greek Restaurant, Patisserie Margo, Wakame Asian Bistro, Coopers Pub, Andrew Zimmern, Bela and Sanjay Kaul, D.R. Simon Construction LLC, Ms. Dawn Griffin and Halo Innovations, Camp Heartland, Ms. Carol Rouffaud and Wyndmere Naturals, Padma Chintapalli, Dr. Kiran Belani, Sarika Uppaluri, Marion and Karen Barber, Shreyas Chintapalli.
We look forward to a year filled with continued dedication and global awareness for the mission of The Priyanka Foundation, to live dreams around the world.
Most gratefully,
Leela Rao
Chairwoman and Global Executive Director.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Happy Birthday Priyanka
Today Priyanka would have celebrated her 16th birthday. Read about her in today's Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/114841714.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/114841714.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Star Tribune features Sweet Sixteen event to be held on February 10, 2011
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/113198424.html
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Priyanka Foundation; Save The Date!
Please save the date of Thursday, February 10th for our big Sweet Sixteen Fundraiser. It will be held at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Minneapolis from 6-9 p.m. and should be great fun.
We will be celebrating what would have been the Sixteenth birthday of our inspiration Priyanka! We would love to have you join us for the celebration and fundraiser - watch for the invitation or contact us for more details.
Sincerely,
Beth Coleman
Executive Director
It's a Sweet Sixteen Celebration
With great joy, we are having our annual fundraising event on February 10, 2011, celebrating the Sweet Sixteenth birthday of our inspiration, at The Metropolitan Ballroom in Minneapolis. This event will raise money to send child life professionals from our partner hospitals, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and Children's Hospital of Oakland, California, to Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, India. These professionals will use their expertise to further train staff members at the Priyanka Child Life and Development program that we started there in 2007.
The Foundation is managed entirely by volunteers, and all money raised at this important event goes directly to support the programs and their operational expenses. A key part of our celebratory evening will be a globally-inspired silent auction, featuring a vast array of unique, desirable products, services, event tickets and vacations. We invite you to JOIN THE PARTY, and celebrate family, friends and life.
Event Info
Metropolitan Ballroom, Minneapolis, MN
Thursday February 10, 2011
6-9 p.m.
Music, food & Fun
A Word from Our Chairman and Global Director
Thanks for your help and support in 2010. Hope to see you all on February 10th to make our Sweet Sixteen event a rip roaring success! We look forward to your friendship and support in 2011!
Leela Rao
Statistics on our Program
We kicked off our services in Bangalore, India at the Manipal Hospital in January of 2009Since that time we have served 341 Patients which equates to 1306 Child Life Sessions with these children. That's a lot of children to assist in the early stages of our program with very little staff. We hope with your help and support to grow the staff and be able to serve more children!
Please feel free to contact us at 2730 W. Lake Street, Suite 401 Minneapolis, MN 55416 or Beth@ThePriyankaFoundation.org
We will be celebrating what would have been the Sixteenth birthday of our inspiration Priyanka! We would love to have you join us for the celebration and fundraiser - watch for the invitation or contact us for more details.
Sincerely,
Beth Coleman
Executive Director
It's a Sweet Sixteen Celebration
With great joy, we are having our annual fundraising event on February 10, 2011, celebrating the Sweet Sixteenth birthday of our inspiration, at The Metropolitan Ballroom in Minneapolis. This event will raise money to send child life professionals from our partner hospitals, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and Children's Hospital of Oakland, California, to Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, India. These professionals will use their expertise to further train staff members at the Priyanka Child Life and Development program that we started there in 2007.
The Foundation is managed entirely by volunteers, and all money raised at this important event goes directly to support the programs and their operational expenses. A key part of our celebratory evening will be a globally-inspired silent auction, featuring a vast array of unique, desirable products, services, event tickets and vacations. We invite you to JOIN THE PARTY, and celebrate family, friends and life.
Event Info
Metropolitan Ballroom, Minneapolis, MN
Thursday February 10, 2011
6-9 p.m.
Music, food & Fun
A Word from Our Chairman and Global Director
Thanks for your help and support in 2010. Hope to see you all on February 10th to make our Sweet Sixteen event a rip roaring success! We look forward to your friendship and support in 2011!
Leela Rao
Statistics on our Program
We kicked off our services in Bangalore, India at the Manipal Hospital in January of 2009Since that time we have served 341 Patients which equates to 1306 Child Life Sessions with these children. That's a lot of children to assist in the early stages of our program with very little staff. We hope with your help and support to grow the staff and be able to serve more children!
Please feel free to contact us at 2730 W. Lake Street, Suite 401 Minneapolis, MN 55416 or Beth@ThePriyankaFoundation.org
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