Dear John,

Compassion is a universal language--this is one of the most important lessons I teach new Child Life specialists here at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

When it is apparent someone is having a difficult time, you stop and help. Even if you don't know what to do right away. Whether it's a patient, a sibling, a parent, crying or in pain, sad or scared, or can't say why. When a person needs help, and you are there, you can make an impact.

That compassion is behind every visit at CHLA. It drives us to provide the best possible care to every child who comes to us. And it's the spirit that inspires generous people like you to support that lifesaving work.

John, we need your help now. With our year-end match deadline just two days away, this is your chance to step up and DOUBLE your gift.

Make your gift of $10 or more now to ensure kids can get the specialized, life-changing treatments and care they need in the coming year. Credit Unions for Kids will match your gift to the Children's Fund, dollar for dollar, up to $650,000--but ONLY until midnight on Dec. 31.

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I remember one family in particular. I was walking down a hallway in the hospital and I heard a tearful little girl, about 6 years old. Over and over, she told her exhausted parents, "I just want to go home!"

I saw how the girl's mother looked at her husband with tears in her eyes. I saw the stress and anxiety consuming them. So, I did what we do: I stopped, I listened, I helped.

I got down on the floor and introduced myself to the little girl. We talked about what she was feeling--she was afraid of the hospital, and at that moment, of riding in a gurney--and I made sure she knew she was surrounded by people who were doing everything we could to help her feel better and get home.

A hospital can be a scary place for a kid. But at CHLA, we do whatever it takes to make it a welcoming, safe place for children while they're away from home.

CHLA is a nonprofit hospital, John--and that means we need your support to make our specialized, child-focused approaches available to every child who needs them. Please give now to have your impact DOUBLED.

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I offered to hop on the gurney with her, and explained the tests she would be having. We even played a quick game during our ride over. Once we arrived, my young new friend was grinning, feeling calm and confident.

At CHLA, we treat kids like kids. Whether it's sitting on floors or riding on gurneys, I will give my all to make sure a child knows she is safe and cared for in the hospital.

You can make a difference for a child, too. Make your tax-deductible, year-end gift of $10 or more now before the matching gift deadline, and every dollar will be matched to help make CHLA the best place for kids.

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My friend is doing so much better now, and I still get to see her occasionally, when she returns to CHLA for routine scans. I've heard her reassuring other patients: "Don't worry, it's just a bed with wheels. It's kind of fun if you like to take rides."

She gets it: When someone is crying, you stop and help. When someone needs you, you step up--I hope you'll take a moment before our deadline to do your part, too.

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Thank you so much for your support!

Carol K. Hamamoto, MS, CCLS
Manager, Child Life and Expressive Arts & Therapies
Children's Hospital Los Angeles

We know you're hearing from us a lot these days. The reason is simple: Every dollar we raise right now helps us provide the very best care for children in our community and around the world. If you've already made your gift or would rather not receive any further email from us until January, click here:
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