Medical Missions For Children Announces Opening of Giggles Theater at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital

Weekly performing artists including music, puppetry, dance and live, interactive "video field trips"; designed to bring brightness to pediatric patients

"Where Laughter is the Best Medicine"

Paterson, New Jersey, February 2, 2005 - Medical Missions for Children, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the care of catastrophically ill children in underserved U.S. and international communities, today announced the opening of its new Giggles Theater™, located at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, Paterson, New Jersey.

In partnership with St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, Medical Missions for Children's Giggles Theater, a 70-seat theater also able to accommodate children in wheelchairs and beds, brings local and regional performing artists directly to pediatric patients - through weekly performances and hands-on activities. Music, drama, puppetry, dance, storytellers, and live, interactive "video field trips" break the monotony and bring brightness to these sick children. Programming will soon be aired via the hospital's closed-circuit television system and across Medical Missions for Children's Global Telemedicine & Teaching Network™ to hospitals worldwide.

"Our years of facilitating diagnostic consultations with children from around the world has made it apparent to us that despite all the cutting edge diagnostic testing and treatments these children undergo, sometimes their emotional needs are neglected," says Frank Brady, chairman, Medical Missions for Children. "And while hospitals attempt to bring the occasional "good cheer" to their patients, few have attempted to present a dedicated artistic program to take away some of the scariness. St. Joseph's Children's Hospital clearly understands the importance of providing arts programming to its patients and we are excited to partner with them on this unique project." "Studies have without a doubt shown that the arts can play a significant role in a child's recovery. And doctors agree that the immune system is enhanced by positive experiences that provide an outlet for creative expression," says William McDonald, interim chief executive officer of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. "We are dedicated to presenting a quality program that combines entertainment with learning - theatrical experiences designed to alleviate pain and anxiety, and ultimately, to improve the hospital experience."

Programming

Giggles Theater programming is designed to meet the needs of a culturally and medically diverse patient population. The theater kicks off its 2005 schedule on February 9 in celebration of Black History Month. Featured artists include the Newark Boys Apprentice Chorus, a training chorus for fourth and fifth graders from the Newark Boys Chorus School in Newark, NJ, and Sidiki Conde, a musician and dancer from Guinea, West Africa, who, despite losing the use of his legs at the age of 14, followed his dream to become a dancer. He and four other West African musicians and dancers, part of their group "All Ability African Dance," inspire the audience with a dynamic program that not only celebrates the traditional culture of Guinea, but expresses the importance of overcoming any obstacle.

"Fun, creativity and a little education tossed in is the best way to describe Giggles Theater," says Becky Angelo, executive director, Giggles Theater. "If we can bring out a smile, we've met our objective."

About Medical Missions for Children

Medical Missions for Children (MMC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating the care of catastrophically ill children in underserved U.S. and international communities. MMC created and manages its programs through the organization's Global Telemedicine and Teaching Network™ (GTTN) - an interactive, satellite and Internet-based communications platform. The Global Telemedicine & Teaching Network supports the real-time treatment of remote, critically ill children, and through a fully FCC licensed broadcast station, WMMC, broadcasts worldwide an extensive program of continuing medical education. Medical Missions for Children is headquartered at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Paterson, NJ. Visit www.mmissions.org for additional information.

Medical Missions for Children and St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center recently expanded their long-term relationship to deliver enhanced diagnostic and medical education services locally, nationally, and internationally through Medical Missions for Children's Global Telemedicine & Teaching Network. Combined with Medical Missions for Children, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center is one of the most technologically advanced healthcare providers in the U.S. It has the ability to communicate globally on a private satellite system and is a global depository for the storage and transfer of medical knowledge.