Like most five-year-olds, Parker Chen loves to go the park, play on the iPad, and watch his favorite TV shows; Parker’s favorite is Blues Clues. But unlike most other children, Parker was born two and a half months early with a rare genetic abnormality called CHARGE Syndrome. Parker and his family spent the first year of his life in the hospital. Parker is legally blind and deaf, he requires a feeding tube for nutrition, and is on continuous oxygen support. But from the very start, this little boy was full of life and surrounded by love.

Shortly after arriving home, little Parker began receiving services from St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children to help him meet his developmental milestones. St. Mary’s nurses accompany Parker to the Lexington School for the Deaf each day, taking care of all his medical needs. Parker is fluent in sign language, which he uses to communicate his needs or even tell a joke or two; his nurses have also become fluent in sign. In the evenings, a St. Mary’s nurse is there to care for Parker, making sure he is safe and remains free from distress throughout the night. Parker also receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and vision therapy to help him be his best.

Since Parker has come home, he continues to surprise his family everyday with his love of life, enjoying every small detail, and never letting anything get in his way. He is such a determined little fighter and an inspiration to all those who have the opportunity to meet him.

In the past 2 ½ years Parker has grown and reached incredible milestones, the most recent being the removal of his tracheostomy, the breathing apparatus around his neck. Parker is now able to breath without his trach and is doing incredibly well.

In recognition of all of his tremendous accomplishments, Parker has been named a Grand Marshal for the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids on May 19 at Belmont Park in Elmont. He and his family will help lead the Walk representing the 4,000 children with special needs and medically complex conditions in St. Mary’s care each day. Learn more at http://www.stmaryskids.org/walk2013.

Throughout this whole journey Parker’s family say they have never underestimated the power of hope. His mother Suzanne explains, “It was not only faith, but the support of family, friends, inspiring and determined doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, advocates, and strangers; everyone contributed emotionally, spiritually, and physically to get us through each day.”

About the Walk

The Walk for St. Mary’s Kids is an annual event that raises funds and awareness to support programs and services for children with special needs at St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. The Walk includes a 1/2 mile or 2.5 mile walk, family fun activities and exhibition tents. The Walk is presented by Laborers Local 79, Laborers Care and sponsors include Rallye Acura, The New York Racing Association, Alma Bank, Local Union #3 IBEW, Farinella Consulting, Municipal Credit Union. All proceeds from the Walk go to benefit programs and services provided by St. Mary’s. Visit http://www.stmaryskids.org/walk2013.

Four-year-old Jordon Bailey doesn’t take no for an answer. Born almost four months before his due date, this tiny preemie entered the world at just over one pound with a serious respiratory condition and a lot of fight in him. He spent his first year in hospitals where he underwent a series of cardiopulmonary surgeries and a tracheostomy was inserted into his throat to help him breathe. Many thought Jordon would always be dependent on technology to breathe, but Jordon had other plans.

Jordon came to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children just after his first birthday to help manage his medical condition. He had multiple developmental delays, and even the most basic of skills such as sitting, eating, and just breathing were challenging. But Jordon always saw past the disability and focused on what he could do. And there was so much to focus on. He “played” hard at rehabilitation therapy and learned to sit, stand, walk, and then run, the latter of which he practices every chance he gets on the playground and in the hallways. It’s not uncommon to see Jordon break into dance during music therapy or pour a perfect cup of pretend tea at occupational therapy. He attends St. Mary’s Preschool and is learning his ABCs and 123s.

But Jordon’s success was never child’s play. His incredible determination along the commitment of his nurses, therapists, teachers, doctors, and recreation staff helped him reach one milestone his mother, Shana, never thought she would see. Last week Jordon’s trach was removed and as he nears his fifth birthday, Jordon was discharged and able to go home for the first time since he was born.

In recognition of Jordon’s achievements, he has been named a Grand Marshal for the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids to be held at Belmont Park in Elmont on May 19th. Jordon and his mom, followed by his extended family at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children will, help lead the Walk to raise funds and awareness for children with special needs. Come out and support Jordon! Visit the Walk website at http://www.stmaryskids.org/walk2013.

The Walk for St. Mary’s Kids includes a 1/2 mile or 2.5 mile walk, family fun activities and exhibition tents. The Walk is presented by Laborers Local 79, Laborers Care and sponsors include Rallye Acura, The New York Racing Association, Alma Bank, Local Union #3 IBEW, Farinella Consulting, Municipal Credit Union. All proceeds from the walk go to benefit programs and services provided by St. Mary’s.

Six-year-old Sophia Resti is as cute as a doll. This gregarious little dynamo is a cross between Chatty Cathy and the most delicate, fragile porcelain doll. The former, because she loves to chat with everyone around her. The latter, because she has a congenital bone disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. “Sophia was born with broken bones from head to toe,” recalls her mother Cathy.

Sophia requires oxygen to help her underdeveloped lungs breathe and uses an adaptive stroller to get around. She learned to sit up only about a year ago.

Yet despite her numerous challenges, Sophia rises above it all. Literally. She is just about ready to stand up for the first time in her life. Sophia recently underwent two surgeries to strengthen her legs with rods and is starting to bear weight on them. This is a giant step for Sophia and the entire Resti family. “Some doctors said she wasn’t going to make it. She has proven a lot of people wrong,” a very grateful Cathy remarks. “We call her our sunshine and she truly brightens our world.”

Sophia attends kindergarten, loves music and all things sparkly – to match her sparkling personality. “She is only 2 feet tall with a larger than life personality,” beams her mom. She attends a dance class with other children with special needs and is looking forward to performing a special hip hop number at her recital next month.

To help her meet these incredible milestones, Sophia has been receiving home healthcare services from St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children since she was a baby. Her nurse coordinates her care to make sure Sophia receives the services she needs to be her best. Sophia regularly receives a complement of physical, occupational, and speech therapies at home or at school.

In recognition of Sophia’s achievements, she has been named a Grand Marshal for the Walk for St. Mary’s Kids to be held at Belmont Park in Elmont on May 19th. Sophia and her family will help lead the Walk to raise funds and awareness for children with special needs. Come out and support Sophia! Visit the Walk website to learn more. http://www.stmaryskids.org/walk2013.

What do a driven sales manager at a luxury car dealership and a pediatric healthcare organization have in common? When the sales manager is Joseph Matajy of Rallye Acura in Roslyn and the pediatric provider is St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, the answer is a partnership that is helping to improve the health and quality of life for children with special needs and medically complex conditions.

Since early March 2013, Rallye Acura has launched a variety of campaigns to raise funds and awareness to support critical programs and services St. Mary’s provides to 4,000 children with special needs each day in the metro area. This support is part of the dealership’s ongoing Rallye Acura Cares program, a charitable initiative to give back to the local community.

Rallye has run social media campaigns, advertising campaigns, and even arranged a special meet and greet with Mariano Rivera and some very excited St. Mary’s Kids. In addition, Rallye Acura will be participating in the 9th annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids to be held at Belmont Park on Saturday May, 19th as a Hero Sponsor. They have also formed a Walk team, The Rallye Acura Racers, which has already raised over $1,000 in an effort to help St. Mary’s achieve its goal of $175,000. If you would like to support The Rallye Acura Racers, please visit http://events.stmaryskids.org/goto/RallyeAcura.

Rallye Acura Sales Manager Joe Matajy has played an integral role in forming the partnership between the two organizations. In recognition of his support, Mr. Matajy was recently asked to be a Grand Marshal at the May 19th event; an honor he quickly accepted.

The Walk for St. Mary’s Kids includes a 1/2 mile or 2.5 mile walk, family fun activities and exhibition tents. All proceeds from the Walk go to benefit programs and services provided by St. Mary’s.

About Rallye Acura
Located at 1750 Northern Boulevard in Roslyn, Rallye Acura is a 10-time recipient of the “Dealership of Distinction” award – the most prestigious honor bestowed on an Acura dealership. Rallye Acura is part of the Rallye Auto Group, the only auto group representing all four top-selling luxury brands on Long Island and the largest luxury dealership group on Long Island and Manhattan. For more information, please visit http://rallyeacura.com.

Ringmasters, the 2012 International Barbershop Quartet Champions, recently visited St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside to share the gift of music and harmony with St. Mary’s Kids. The Ringmasters from Stockholm, Sweden came to St. Mary’s following a buzzed about performance on The Today Show, sharing the wonders of a capella singing with both St. Mary’s and homes across the nation.

“Events like this allow us to celebrate each of the many special children here at St. Mary’s,” said Jeffrey Frerichs, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children. “Not only does it give our kids a chance to forget about their complex medical conditions and just be kids, which is vital to their recovery, it exposes them to a new experience they might not otherwise encounter – the Barbershop Quartet.”

This visit, in conjunction with St. Mary’s outstanding relationship with Big Apple Chorus, is part of the celebration of the 75 Anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Ringmasters – all in their early 20s, young, charming and handsome – is not your run of the mill quartet, singing songs from Michael Jackson and The Beatles, while still staying true to classic barbershop.

Ringmasters put on an interactive show St. Mary’s Kids will never forget, introducing the children to a new genre of music with a rousing rendition of the Lion Sleeps Tonight, replete with monkeys, elephants and of course, a sleeping lion, thanks to the performers’ talents and sense of humor.

Learn more about Ringmasters at www.facebook.com/RingmastersQuartet.

A special thank you to the WWE for bringing their Superstars and Diva to spend the afternoon with the children at St. Mary’s. And our continued thanks to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment for their ongoing support.

(Roslyn, NY) – Rallye Acura is proud to announced an online fundraising campaign in support of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, a not-for-profit organization that cares for New York’s critically ill and injured children. During the months of March and April, Rallye Acura will donate $5 for every new ‘like’ their Facebook fan page receives (facebook.com/RallyeAcura.)

“The Rallye Acura Family is honored to support St. Mary’s and the great work they do not only in our community, but throughout New York,” Jay Rosenthal, General Manager at Rallye Acura.

Today, 1 in 5 children has a special healthcare need. St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is one of only a handful of organizations nationwide dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care and education to these children. Treating nearly 4,000 children each day, St. Mary’s is setting a standard of excellence in pediatric healthcare.

In addition to their online campaign, Rallye Acura will participate in the 9th annual Walk for St. Mary’s Kids to be held at Belmont Park on Saturday May, 19th. The Walk includes a 1/2 mile or 2.5 mile walk, family fun activities and exhibition tents. All proceeds from the Walk go to benefit programs and services provided by St. Mary’s.

Rallye Acura’s support of St. Mary’s is part of its ongoing Rallye Acura Cares program, the dealership’s charitable initiative with the goal to give back to the local community. Rallye Acura, along with the Rallye Auto Group, has also lent its support to many other local non-profit organizations.

“Rallye has a tremendous reputation, not only for exceptional customer care, but for their commitment to families in the community,” said St. Mary’s President Jeff Frerichs. “On behalf of the thousands of children we care for each day, we are grateful for their support.”

About Rallye Acura:
Located at 1750 Northern Boulevard in Roslyn, Rallye Acura is a 10-time recipient of the “Dealership of Distinction” award — the most prestigious honor bestowed upon an Acura dealership. Rallye Acura is part of the Rallye Auto Group, the only auto group representing all four top-selling luxury brands on Long Island and the largest luxury dealership group on Long Island and Manhattan. To show your support please visit www.facebook.com/rallyeacura.

These accolades come on the heels of the recent opening of St. Mary’s Patient Pavilion on our Bayside campus, which offers a total-healing environment for children and their families. With cutting-edge treatment modalities, innovative rehabilitation tools, and ample physical space for patients to interact with one another, the new St. Mary’s is inspiring, empowering, and encouraging children to reach their unlimited possibilities.

If you haven’t seen the new St. Mary’s, watch the video for a virtual tour.

In an effort to encourage sports and exercise and promote rehabilitation for children with special needs at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children, North Shore Athletics Club offered their program, “Be The Best Sport” to patients of all ages.

The program consisted of soccer related activities and was adapted to give children with disabilities the opportunity to play sports while building social and athletic skills. Professional coaches and volunteers worked one on one with St. Mary’s Kids who battle complex medical and life-limiting conditions due to serious illness, injury and complications of premature birth, teaching them warm-up exercises, drills such as shooting, dribbling and ball control.

“Our mission is to provide a fun, yet challenging environment in which children will develop both individual soccer skills and the important values of teamwork and social interaction,” said Michael Furino, President of North Shore Athletics Club.

St. Mary’s Kids receive intensive rehabilitation and specialized medical care at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children each and every day and this program is just another way to encourage rehabilitation and help them heal and grow in a non-competitive environment. St. Mary’s Kids also enjoyed interacting with volunteers and building new friendships.

 It was truly a day of clowning around at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children when Cido the Clown and his troupe from the World Clown Association from around the world visited some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured patients.

Cido the Clown aka Cyrus Zavieh has been entertaining children for over 8 years and is the Mid Atlantic Director for the World Clown Association and Clowns of America International.

From their red noses to their big feet and funny faces, Cido and his friends helped put a smile on children of all ages, all while forgetting about their condition. With a hatful of tricks and magic up their big sleeves, St. Mary’s Kids couldn’t get enough laughs in.

The real fun began when the clown troupe started grooving to some of their favorite tunes and the popular “Gagnam Style” had the kids going crazy on the dance floor.

Coordinated by Cido, this is all part of East West Clown 2013 tour that begins in New York with various hospitals, and will end in Malaysia where the clowns will visit more hospitals and orphanages. Besides entertaining children for a living Cido is also a hospital administrator at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.

“If I can take the pain away from a sick child with laughter, then I feel I’ve done my job,” said Cido.

The children of St. Mary’s battle complex medical and life-limiting conditions due to serious illness, injury and complications of premature birth. When a child see’s a troupe of clowns walking into the hospital, they are instantly cheered up for the day.

The day became even more brightened when students from Townsend Harris High School dropped by and joined the dance party. The students, all part of the High School orchestra were visiting to perform for St. Mary’s Kids.

“It was such an exciting field, seeing children’s smiles,” Cido said. “For me there’s no greater job in life than seeing a smile on a kid’s face.”