Family of Former Patient Gives Back to LLUCH After 18 Years by Brianna Pastorino - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Family of Former Patient Gives Back to LLUCH After 18 Years

By Brianna Pastorino,
December 11, 2013 at 02:41pm. Views: 90

Christmas may be more than two weeks away but the patients at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) are already getting a feel for the holidays. Mikey’s Fund For Kids founder, Tina Carriera and others who helped raise funds, delivered a slew of gifts to the hospital on Dec. 1. “We want to make sure the kids at the hospital have a memorable holiday,” said Carriera. “We just hope the toys, games and clothes we donate will make a child’s day a little brighter.” Mikey's Fund for Kids was established in 1995 in honor of Carriera’s nephew, Michael "Mikey" Dale Harrison, who lost his fight to cancer in 1995 when he was just 8 years old. The group raises funds throughout the year but it’s the annual Motorcycle Toy Run that is most successful. On Sept. 28, the group hosted its 3rd Annual Motorcycle Run in Temecula, which welcomed over 100 motorcycle riders and participants. “It was a huge success,” Carriera said. The group raised over $2,000, surpassing the total from years past. “We are so grateful to all the motorcycle clubs and groups that sent representatives to attend the annual toy ride,” Carreira said. “We could not have been a success without all of them.” Funds raised by the group go toward replenishing the “treasure boxes” and playroom toys at LLUCH. Kids on the various units at the hospital get to choose a toy from the treasure box when they reach a milestone or overcome a challenge during their course of treatment. “Something as simple as getting a shot without crying to something as serious as finishing a round of chemotherapy will earn a child a pull from the treasure box,” said James Ball, Child Life specialist at LLUCH. “It encourages kids who may be having a hard time getting through something. It allows others to see that something was difficult for them and in return can build their self-esteem and morale." Mikey’s parents, Mike and Linda Harrison, started the treasure box while Mikey was a patient on the oncology unit. At the time, it only existed on that unit but has since expanded to every unit at the hospital and includes items such as small toys, cars, dolls and arts and craft toys. In addition to bringing toys, Mikey’s Fund also provided gas gift cards that will be given to those patient families in need. “Many patient families aren’t local, so driving to and from the hospital can be a hardship,” Ball said. "It’s our job not just to make the kids comfortable but we want the parents to feel at ease as well." Ball emphasized how important toy donations are to the patients at the hospital, however, not all toys can be accepted. “We can only accept new toys in the original packaging and we can’t accept stuffed animals,” he said. To make it easier for any individual or group to donate to the hospital, LLUCH Child Life Services has created an Amazon wish list online that can be found by searching “Loma Linda Child Life” or by clicking here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1ZONWGO6OHNAF. There is a general list as well as separate lists for the individual units.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 880

Athlete of the Week Christopher Michael Lemos, Redlands High School Junior and Varsity Quarterback, proudly represents the Terriers with his dedication, leadership, and passion for the game.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1691

Redlands Pottery Project joins A.K. Smiley Public Library for a November 14 workshop designed for young artists ages 13 to 18. A lump of clay may not look like much at first. In the hands of a young artist, however, it can become a bowl, a decorative sculpture or an entirely unexpected creation.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.redlands.edu/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 2855

The University of Redlands Department of Theatre and Dance will present Día de los Muertos and Other Folk Tales November 5 through 8, 2026. Stories told by grandparents often become treasured parts of a family's history. Some are humorous, others mysterious, and many carry lessons that remain meaningful long after the storyteller is gone.

Photo Courtesy of: UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 948

A remote wildfire-monitoring camera overlooks a Southern California landscape. Redlands has partnered with UC San Diego's ALERTCalifornia program to improve monitoring of areas near northern Redlands and the Santa Ana River wash.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.akspl.org/events/

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:26pm. Views: 1919

Annual ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine will bring American history to life on November 21. On a November morning in Redlands, the sounds of fifes, drums and historic artillery will offer residents an opportunity to experience a chapter of American history that continues to influence the nation more than 160 years after the Civil War.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:18pm. Views: 839

The first years of a child's life are filled with milestones that families often remember forever. A baby's first smile, the first attempt to crawl and the first spoken words are moments of celebration. They can also bring questions, uncertainty and new responsibilities for parents learning how to care for a growing child.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.csusb.edu/

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 1045

CSUSB’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has earned recognition for it for its work to create a more inclusive, diverse and supportive physics department, earning the Bronze Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Physics & Astronomy SEA Change program.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 2299

Operation Green Light returns November 4–11, encouraging residents to recognize military service and help veterans connect with available resources. As darkness settles over San Bernardino during the first week of November, green lights will illuminate several county buildings, transforming familiar government facilities into visible reminders of the sacrifices made by America's military veterans.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.authentikusa.com/

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 983

As America's most famous highway celebrates its centennial in 2026, San Bernardino reflects on the road that helped shape its neighborhoods, businesses and identity. Long before interstate highways became the preferred routes for cross-country travel, motorists making their way through San Bernardino followed a road that would become one of the most recognizable highways in American history.

Photo Courtesy of: Corina Borsuk and provided courtesy of SBCUSD

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 3, 2026 at 03:06pm. Views: 761

Muscoy Elementary students join SBCUSD Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board of Education President Mayra Ceballos, Assistant Superintendents Dr. Sandra Rodriguez and Dr. Tasha Doizan, Director MaryRone Goodwin and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr. for the official ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the school’s new outdoor learning center.

Photo Courtesy of: https://riversiderecord.org/; A photo of Moreno Valley City Hall. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record) Credit: (Photo by Alicia

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 1049

A city is often judged by what residents experience every day: the condition of its streets, the reliability of public services, the availability of recreational programs and the ease of obtaining information from local government. Behind those everyday experiences are departments and employees whose work rarely attracts national attention.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:39pm. Views: 938

Athlete of the Week Zachary Scott Perez, Senior at John W. North High School, is recognized as Athlete of the Week for his dedication and accomplishments as a student athlete.

--> -->