Marcus Stroud, NFL's Defensive Tackle for the Buffalo Bills, Donates His Own IV Integrated Dream Bike to Atlanta's New Hughes-Spalding Children's Hospital
As part of the annual Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation Benefit, Mr. Stroud, who grew up in the Atlanta area, stopped for a visit at Hughes-Spalding hospital and donated his very own IV integrated Dream Bike.
View as PDF
 Print View
April 25, 2010 (FPRC) -- Evanston, IL -- The Marcus Stroud Charitable Foundation and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta joined forces to raise money for the non profit organization, which is the largest Medicaid provider in the state and operates 3 hospital campuses.
Prior to the Benefit, Marcus Stroud, Children's Healthcare representatives, members of the Big Apple Circus "Clown Care" unit and the sales team from KIDEAZE LLC gathered at Hughes-Spalding hospital's lobby to surprise the children. Mr. Stroud presented the kids with toys, games and books. The Foundation's staff surprised Mr. Stroud and presented the hospital with a custom made Marcus Stroud Dream Bike, which was donated to Children's Healthcare on his behalf.
The "Marcus" Bike, a custom made IV integrated tricycle, was especially created to look exactly like Mr. Stroud during his college playing days at the University of Georgia.
The Dream bike, is a tricycle platform integrated with an intravenous pole on which a papier mache’ character is created. Each bike features a differnet character which disguises the appearance of the intravenous structure and allows the child mobility while connected to their IV drip. Family members are hands free to share the experience with the child.
The idea behind the concept is to empower a sick child with mobility, independence and reduced anxiety levels. This helps promote a sense of control over their situation, which in turn, helps the child have a more positive attitude.
Mrs. Kristie Sams-Faulkner, the event planner, and a close friend of Stroud said: "I absolutely love the bike that was donated to Children's Healthcare on behalf of Marcus Stroud! I love surprises and I am so happy we could make this happen for Marcus!"
The children did not waste a minute and took turns riding the bike all over the hospital's lobby, with the others looking on, waiting for their turn. Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff came out to see the new "staff member".
"The kids really love the bike," says Ms. Cristel Williams of Children's Healthcare. The Foundation and its Director are hoping to find funding from their generous donors, the local sports teams, to be able to provide more dream bikes to the Hughes-Spalding and the other 2 hospitals.
Ms. Amit Ariel, Director of Sales and Marketing at KIDEAZE LLC. said: “We customize bikes as proprietary characters, athletes, clowns, animals or any other character that a client requests. Our main goal is to reach as many sick children as possible and give them a reason to smile. Working together with hospitals such as Children's healthcare and Organizations like the Marcus Stroud Foundation, gives us the opportunity to achieve our goal faster and in a more effective way.”
The Dream Bikes will be featured in the American Cancer Society's Discovery Ball in Chicago and the Cystic Fibrosis Annual Benefit in Atlanta on Saturday, April 24, 2010.
For more information on Kideaze or free Dream Bike booklets call (847) 769-2586 or E-Mail: info@kideaze.net
Permission to Reprint:
Journalists, newsletter publishers, bloggers and others: You may reprint any of the above information as long as you include company information.
# # #
Send an email to Amit Ariel of kideaze LLC
847-769-2586
Keywords:
Marcus Stroud, children, hospitals
Recent Press Releases By The Same User IV Integrated Bike Help Raise Thousands For Children with Cancer (Thu 22nd Apr 10)
|
