CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kids will ride in style to the operating room at Levine Children’s Hospital, thanks to a generous gift from the Dilworth South End Rotary. The Rotary unveiled two remote-controlled toy cars inside at the hospital on Monday.
"It is amazing!" said Mom Kristine Bazemore. "I am so excited that she's able to do this because her accident was on the 20th and it hasn't even been a month yet."
Bazemore's daughter, Autumn rode around to celebrate the gift.
Recognizing the need to ease young patients’ worries about surgery, the Rotary identified the mini-cars as a fun solution for patients and families, allowing children to forget their fears and ride in luxury to the operating room as parents, nurses, and fellow patients cheer them on.
"Our club here in Dilworth has been around for 70 years, but one of the things we care about the most are Moms and kids." said Kevin Kendrick, Rotary member.
"You have a moment like this and you see the look on these kids faces and these kids are facing a lot of adversity in their own way, but for them to have this moment of fun means everything."
The two remote-controlled vehicles are child-friendly versions of the popular Mercedes CLA45 AMG and will be operated by a hospital staff member, giving young patients the experience of enjoying a ride to their surgical procedures.
Rotarians David Hodgkins and Dewey Jenkins both loyal supporters and advocates of Atrium Health worked closely with Atrium Health Foundation to coordinate the donation.
