Texting behind the wheel

It's a common mistake, especially among teens. While driving, a familiar ring tone signals a new text message. Curiosity takes over and before they know it, they're reaching for the cell phone to get a glance at the latest message. It's harmless, right?

Wrong. According to Claudia Romo at Children's who specializes in preventing injuries, reading or sending text messages while driving is an accident waiting to happen - potentially a deadly one. Cell phone use has caused many teen drivers to take a turn for the worse. And lawmakers hope to put a halt to the tragedies on the rise.

A proposed ban on texting while driving would require states to prohibit texting or emailing while operating a moving vehicle. If the legislation is approved and a state does not comply, it will lose 25 percent of its annual highway funding.

What do you think - will this make the roads safer?

Jacyia gets her wish

Jacyia Whitfield is one of those patients whom our staff members want to hang out with. At any given time, you will likely find at least one of them sitting on the edge of her bed discussing celebrity gossip or watching Food Network with her. She just has a special charisma that attracts people - even on days when she can barely walk or talk.

Most of the staff members she interacts with have known her for years, because her condition has made her a regular visitor to Children's since birth. Sometimes, she just comes in for a clinic visit. Other times, she stays for weeks on end. Now is one of those “other times,” and it couldn’t have been more inconveniently timed.

Her sisters, Monet and Chantel, had planned a massive party at home for her 21st birthday. In fact, it was going to be her first birthday party ever. Being admitted to the hospital derailed those plans and devastated Jacyia.

But what she didn’t see was staring at her from the foot of her bed. All those nurses, all those physicians, all those social workers, all those child life specialists who had spent years with her. When they found out she was discouraged about her canceled birthday party, they decided to throw a party of their own.

On Tuesday, July 28, Jacyia celebrated her birthday in style. The staff turned the hospital auditorium into her dream party room. There were virgin daiquiris, catered food, streamers, balloons, pictures of Betty Boop (her favorite cartoon) and a DJ. And all of the family and friends who were going to attend her birthday party at home joined in the celebration at the hospital.

Happy birthday, Jacyia!

Meet Some New Bloggers

Craig, Janet, Heather, Jessica and Rob

For the last few months, ya'll have indulged me and allowed me to wax poetic about everything from musicians making a pit stop at Children's to patients who have touched our hearts to swine flu outbreaks and everything in between (including the occasional celebrity update!).

But, I've been a little lonely over here, and I work alongside some pretty talented, pretty insightful friends. So, I'm excited to introduce you to a few new voices who are going to be keeping us all company on the blog.

Rob Robertson's official title is editor, but you'll soon learn he's more than a well-placed punctuation mark. As the resident smart alec, I promise you will be entertained by his writing style, his wit, and if you're lucky, pictures of his cute kid.

Janet, who's a writer on staff, is a fantastic wordsmith. And she gets stuff I just don't get. She can tell a feel-good story with the best of them, but she can also make sense of important in-depth science and medical topics that evade me. (Yay for well-written cheat sheets!)

Heather, a writer on the team, puts so much heart in all she does. You may as well grab the tissue box when you see a post by her. Whether the story is happy, sad or inspiring, she has a way of inciting water works with her words.

And Craig, also a writer at Children's, has a passion and talent for writing creative non-fiction - basically, telling true stories in imaginative ways. He comes from a news desk, too, so his grammar will be spot on. And don't be surprised to find an inverted pyramid or two. Then again, this is a blog, and we don't get overly concerned with AP style.

But, I hope you haven't grown tired of me, just yet. I'll still be around to talk with you about stories that are making headlines, as well as the ones that aren't but should be. And with a babe on the way this December, I may even seek your advice on the wild world of parenting!

Thanks for being part of our conversation, and let us know how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you!

Former Patient Plays Concert at Children's

Twenty-eight years ago, surgeons at Children's Medical Center performed a delicate surgery to remove a sixth digit from each hand of a tiny, three-day-old baby boy. At the time, nobody knew Richmond Punch's hands would be so instrumental to his life's passion.

Richmond, who was born to a single mother in south Dallas, was an unlikely candidate to become a classical musician. But, with his mother's creative determination, and his own commitment to play the music he loved, Richmond earned music degrees at two prestigious east coast universities - Juliard and Yale.

Yesterday, Richmond played a live violin concert for patients and their families at Children's Medical Center, a small way to say thank you for the lifechanging care he received at the hospital so many years before.

In addition to entertaining the kids with classical renditions of songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the theme song from Pink Panther, he encouraged the children to aim high and to dream big and to never let anything get in the way of one's passion.

Today, Richmond plays viola and violin with the Richmond Punch Jazz Quartet and inspires the next generation of musicians through private lessons. In addition, he runs his own foundation to help introduce children to string instruments.

I wish we had gotten video of yesterday's performance at Children's. The kids enjoyed his music more than you can imagine. But, I'd be remiss to leave you without an opportunity to watch, and more importantly, listen to Richmond perform. This video from his You Tube channel chronicles a performance earlier this year at the Potter's House in Dallas.

Connor Cruse

On July 10, we lost a friend, an inspiration, a tireless advocate for childhood cancer awareness. He was only 8-years-old, but he touched lives not only in his immediate family or in his Frisco neighborhood. Connor Cruse and his story of bravery and optimism affected people across the globe.

Connor, a patient in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) at Children's, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was just 4-years-old. He was a media darling. He gravitated toward cameras, and they gravitated toward him. Maybe it was his sweet smile, maybe it was his charismatic personality, maybe he realized this was his opportunity to teach the world about childhood cancer, to make us all aware that we need to do more to find a cure.

Connor's parents kept a web site throughout their son's treatment - to educate and to raise awareness and to keep friends and family updated on his condition. This little trouper spent 220 nights in the hospital; he underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy; endured 14 surgeries. Family says he never complained, never accepted that he was sick. Just that he had cancer. But, that wasn't going to let him stop living or loving life.

Connor and his family received well wishes from hometown friends, strangers in more than 70 countries, American troops stationed across the globe. Even beyond that, his legacy was quite literally out of this world - astronauts prayed for this little boy from the international space station.

More than 4,000 people attended his funeral services this week; his church's pastor said he had never seen a line so long to offer condolences to a family. Many of the mourners never met Connor in person. But, like we were, they were all touched by his grace, his heart, his hope for a brighter future for all children.

UT Southwestern Researchers Study Staph Infections at Children's

Even if you're not one of those people who carries hand sanitizer everywhere you go, the thought of a staph infection probably gives you the heebie jeebies. We've all heard a lot on the news about staph infections, especially MRSA staph infections - the resistant ones that can lead to serious illness and even death.

So, it's no surprise scientists are working over-time to understand this highly contagious superbug. But, did you know they're studying staph infections right here in Dallas? And have been for nearly a decade?!

Physicians and researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been studying staph infections in patients at Children's since 2001. The team recently published findings in the Public Library of Science's online journal that explain why one child is more susceptible - on a genetic level - to a staph infection than the next.

These docs are smart! Put on your thinking cap, then read more about the interesting study.

There's still a lot to learn about staph infections, and rest assured, the docs are on it. Until they figure out how to eradicate staph infections, follow these guidelines for avoiding one:

• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and shower with soap, hot water and clean towels.
• Don’t share towels, clothing or personal items such as razors.
• Clean sports equipment regularly.
• Learn first aid for wounds and how to recognize potential skin infections.

24 Hours at Children's - a Photographic Journey

Ok, so I know annual reports aren't typically what anyone would consider inspired reading. (Yawwwwn.) But, Children's is challenging that assumption this year with a BEAUTIFUL, touching photo book that chronicles 24 hours at Children's Medical Center.

15 professional photographers, many who are award-winning (we're talking Pulitzers here, people!), camped out at the hospital one day from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. and captured little moments on camera. This book is an awe-inspring reminder that miracles happen here every day, whether those miracles are lifesaving medical procedures, making a child giggle or ensuring there are enough smiley fries to fulfill each patient's room service request.

Meet Zachary Bancook, the little guy we call Superman, and Camila Bojorquez, a 7-week-old whose tiny heart required some TLC, and all the other pint-sized patients who needed us that One Day. Typical. Amazing.

And if you're one of those who is genuinely interested in the numbers, they're in there, too. Check the last few pages to read the financials, to find out how Children's reinvests in the community and to learn what makes the 15 photographers who helped create this book so darn special.

And lastly, a big thanks to our fabulous web team for making this photographic journey available online so each of you can peruse the book from the comfort of your home or office!

Tell us what you think.

Happy 4th of July!

Tomorrow is the birthday party nobody wants to miss! Most of us will probably marvel at a fireworks display or two this weekend. But, before you pack up the Mom-mobile with picnic blankets, coolers and sparklers, take some time to talk with the kids about ways to stay safe this Independence Day.

The Children's web site has a great interactive fireworks safety guide and other tips to ensure your holiday weekend is full of Ooohs! and Ahhhs! and no Ouchies.

If you're still debating which display to hit up, our friends at Moms Out Loud have compiled a great list of local fireworks shows.

Happy Birthday America!