Once again, commemorative co-branded Florida Hospital and Tampa Bay Lightning Buddy Bears will be handed out to fans at the game in the Florida Hospital Quad, Section 128. For every bear given away, a Florida Hospital Buddy Bear will be delivered to a Florida Hospital pediatric patient along with a hand-written note of encouragement from Lightning fans. This year, Florida Hospital is announcing the expansion of its Buddy Bear Program. Florida Hospital Buddy Bears can now be purchased year-round for $25 a bear, and for every Florida Hospital Buddy Bear sold, a bear will be delivered to a child in our care. Funds raised from the Buddy Bear Program will benefit the Florida Hospital West Florida Division Foundation, and will be used to purchase pediatric life-saving equipment and provide leading-edge care for children in our care. Florida Hospital Buddy Bears can be purchased at fhbuddybear.org.
"In 2016, Florida Hospital expanded its services to provide pediatric medicine through our exclusive affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. All Florida Hospital ER's in the greater Tampa Bay region have adopted Johns Hopkins All Children's clinical protocols for pediatric emergency medicine, and we have a fully-dedicated pediatric emergency room along with 24/7 onsite coverage with All Children's Specialty Physicians at Florida Hospital Tampa. We are excited to present Pediatric Health Night with our partner, The Tampa Bay Lightning, to help educate fans in a fun way about the health and well-being of children," said Lauren Key, Senior Executive Officer of Consumer Strategy, Florida Hospital West Florida Division.
Highlights of the evening include family-fun activities, and games and prizes at the Florida Hospital tent in Thunder Alley along with balloon artists, face painting and a hands-on interactive slap shot game for kids. And don't forget, the first 2,000 people to visit the Florida Hospital Quad at Section 128 inside AMALIE Arena will also get a Florida Hospital Buddy Bear. For every Buddy Bear handed out at the game, a bear will be delivered to a child along with a note of encouragement from a fan.
"The Lightning are pleased to be teaming up with our great partners at Florida Hospital to bring attention to pediatric health concerns," Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said. "We look forward to helping make kids healthier in Tampa Bay and would like to thank Florida Hospital for always bringing health and wellness to the forefront."
During the game, fans will be inspired by a VIP honoree and Florida Hospital pediatric patient, Hunter Tidwell, who overcame an extremely rare illness and brain surgery. Hunter will share his story with help from his neurosurgeon, Dr. Jayson Sack, from Florida Hospital Tampa. Fans can also count on pediatric health tips delivered by our Florida Hospital physicians.
