Wolfson Children’s Hospital receives grant to bring joy to children

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s just another reason to drink coffee.

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Back in September of this year, Dunkin’ announced that guests could support kids battling illness during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, Dunkin’ made good on their promise and announced that its Shine Gold program collectively raised $320,000 to support children’s hospitals throughout Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

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Locally, Dunkin’ was able to grant Wolfson Children’s Hospital with $9,000. This was made possible from the generosity of guests, franchisees and the Dunkin’ Shine Gold program.

As part of the program last month, guests were invited to make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation from Sept. 14 to Sept. 28 and receive a free Gold Joy Donut as a thank you.

With this grant, Wolfson Children’s Hospital will bring joy to children receiving treatment at its facility. Recreational and therapeutic activities provided by the hospital’s child life specialists will be made possible.

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“The demand for child life specialist support has increased dramatically, and therefore, support like this enables us to extend our services to more patients,” said Susan Kinnebrew, MHA, CCLS, Director of Family Support Services, Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “We are so grateful for partnerships like this that positively impact the patient and family experience.”

Grant funding will also go to helping enhance child life programming. This will include art, music and integrated therapy programs to electronic gaming equipment and specialized camps that provide joyful experiences and environments for patients and their children.

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According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 11,000 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Since its inception in 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $40 million to national and local nonprofits.

To lean more about the foundation, click here.