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Dele Davies (far left), chairperson of MSU's Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, thanks members of All Saints Episcopal Church and The Peoples Church for their contribution of a blanket warmer to the department. The MSU Children's Health Initiative coordinated the donation, seen in the background. Courtesy photo

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — Local children battling chronic diseases now have another measure of comfort thanks to the efforts of two mid-Michigan churches and the Michigan State University Children's Health Initiative.

The Peoples Church and All Saints Episcopal Church, both of East Lansing, donated $3,000 to purchase a blanket warmer for children at MSU's pediatric hematology/oncology clinic, located in the Sparrow Professional Building. The donation was coordinated by the Children's Health Initiative, a plan to work with the community to improve access and care for mid-Michigan's children with specialty health needs.

Staff at the clinic have sought a blanket warmer for some time but have not had the funds, said Pam Miklavcic, associate director of the MSU Children's Health Initiative.

"Children at the clinic often feel chilled during long visits, especially after receiving chemotherapy," she said. "The blanket warmer will provide an immense amount of comfort to the children served here."

Miklavcic said the donation marks the commitment of the local community to provide support to children struggling with chronic and/or catastrophic health crises.

"Communities with outstanding pediatric health care all rely on the commitment and generosity of the people whose children they serve," she said.

University and community partners in the Children's Health Initiative include the colleges of Human Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine, the MSU HealthTeam, Sparrow Health System, Ingham Regional Medical Center and a cadre of Lansing area businesses, community partners and volunteers. For more information, go to www.msuchi.org.

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Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.