MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 23, 2013
LONDON, Ontario – From here at home and as far away as Malta, some 2,500 purple hats - in every shade of purple and every pattern imaginable - were knitted and sent to Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre to raise awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome.
“We are all overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of the knitters who donated their time, skills and fabric,” says Lisa Wolfs, injury prevention specialist, LHSC. “We are grateful that they are also helping spread the message to new parents about the Period of PURPLE Crying across borders and seas.”
The purple caps will be given to parents and caregivers in support of The Period of PURPLE Crying® program at Children’s Hospital throughout the month of November. Proudly supported by Children’s Health Foundation, the program educates parents and caregivers regarding infant crying patterns and comforting strategies, as well as Shaken Baby Syndrome.
| Date: | Thursday, October 24, 2013 |
| Time: | 11 a.m. |
| Location: | London Health Sciences Centre Victoria Hospital, North Tower (Zone B) Atrium 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario Enter from Baseline Road |
Photo Opportunity:
• Children’s Hospital staff displaying the 2,500 purple hats generously contributed to Children’s Hospital.
Knitters may be able to see their donation worn by an infant as parents and caregivers will be encouraged to share a photo of their newborn wearing a purple hat on Twitter and Facebook. Throughout November the photos can be viewed on LHSC’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LHSCCanada, on LHSC’s Twitter account, @LHSCCanada, and by using the hashtag #LHSCPurpleHat.
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About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 138 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
Contact Information:
Marek Kubow
London Health Sciences Centre
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
519-685-8500, ext. 75155
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call
Like us on Facebook at LHSC Canada, follow us on Twitter @LHSCCanada and watch us on YouTube at LHSCCanada.
