FROM STAFF REPORTS

HOOVER – The Hoover Public Safety Charity Foundation presented checks to Children’s Harbor and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Wednesday, March 13.

Each charity was presented a check for $10,000 from proceeds that were raised from the Night of Laughter comedy event held at the Stardome Comedy Club in October.

“We are thankful for the support we received through the Night of Laughter that allows us to make contributions to Children’s Harbor and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB,” said Hoover Public Safety Charity Foundation Chairman John C. Wingate (ret.), Hoover Fire Chief. “Both of these organizations serve many that are struggling with serious health issues. As public servants we strive to continue to support those in need within our community.”

Children’s Harbor’s mission is to serve seriously ill children and their families through unique, no-cost services at both the Family Center located at the Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children in Birmingham, and at the Lake Martin retreat facility in Alexander City. Children’s Harbor has been in service since 1989.

The Family Center provides patients and their families a place of respite, comfort and fun. Mental health services are provided to patients and their families through licensed, illness-specific counselors at no cost to the families and without limitations. Other services offered include educational support, scheduled interactive activities, an exercise room, hair salon, nap rooms, library, laundry facilities and play areas.

The retreat facility at Lake Martin boasts 66 acres with extensive water frontage, zero-entry swimming pools, handicap accessible tree house, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball courts, canoeing, activity rooms and more for families and children to reconnect and meet other families with similar diagnoses. These illness populations include children with cancer, organ transplants, autism, serious burns, the visual impaired, spinal cord injuries, among others. The facilities are donated at no cost to organizations who apply annually through a grant process with Children’s Harbor.

“The Foundation’s historic support of Children’s Harbor has helped to provide a very happy place for seriously ill children from Hoover and all over the state of Alabama,” said Myrle Grate, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Harbor. “The Foundation is a leader in public service, and we are so thankful and proud to include them as part of the Children’s Harbor family.”

The O’Neal Cancer Center at UAB is one of the original eight comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute, and the only in Alabama and in a four state region. It is recognized as a national leader in driving cancer research, advancing new cancer treatments, reducing cancer health disparities and training the next generation of cancer physicians and scientists. While treating about 20,000 patients annually and with an estimated 5,000 new patients each year, it offers a full array of treatment options from multidisciplinary clinics filled with specialized experts from across cancer fields to the latest state-of-the-art technology. The center is home to more than 400 physicians and scientists, many of whom are internationally and nationally recognized for their expertise in oncology.

“We are so grateful for this generous gift which provides us with the critical seed money to investigate drugs and develop treatments that we can quickly and safely move to our patients,” said Michael Birrer M.D., Ph.D., director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. “We want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer, and we just couldn’t do it without community support.”

The Hoover Public Safety Charity Foundation was formed in 2012 and has contributed more than $185,000 to local charities including Camp Conquest, O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, American Cancer Society and Children’s Harbor.