TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 10, 2024) – Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center today celebrated the grand opening of its new Play Zone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Alison Flynn Gaffney, chief executive officer of Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, alongside project donors and special guest University of Arizona head basketball coach Tommy Lloyd.
Funded entirely by charitable gifts from community members, local companies and foundations, the Play Zone is a 7,200-square-foot space that will serve as a dedicated area for recreation and therapeutic play to support pediatric patients’ cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being during recovery.
“This space is more than just a play area. It’s a vital part of our mission to help children heal holistically,” said Hadley Trull, associate director of the hospital’s child life program. “The Play Zone provides an opportunity for kids to relax in a space where no medical treatments or procedures take place, to express themselves creatively, work through difficult emotions, and feel more like a regular kid.”
The Play Zone offers a welcoming environment that can reduce young patients’ stress, lift their spirits, and allow them to engage in activities to help their recovery. The facility has colorful murals and other artwork, and features areas for children of all ages to play, learn, create art, and relax away from their hospital rooms. The adjacent sibling center provides a separate place for hospitalized kids’ siblings and their parents to play, read, and do other activities.
The project was made possible by donations to the Banner Health Foundation. More than 200 donors and companies contributed to the Play Zone fundraising campaign, which was led by Tucson business owner and Banner Health Foundation board member Jeremy Sharpe.
“The outpouring of support from our community has been remarkable,” said Sharpe. “The Play Zone will make a lasting difference for families by providing a much-needed space for children to thrive during challenging times.”
The Play Zone includes:
- Art studio
- Medical play area
- Media room
- Sensory room for children with special needs
- Area just for toddlers and preschoolers
- Virtual reality and video gaming area
- Basketball arcade game, foosball and pool tables
- Hospital school program
- STEM activities and a 3D printer
About Diamond Children’s Medical Center
Banner Children’s at Diamond Children’s Medical Center provides pediatric care for children, from newborns to teens. Services include emergency care, heart disorders, traumatic brain injury, autism and developmental disorders, cancer, diabetes and endocrinology, gastrointestinal and nutritional disorders, neurological problems, orthopedics, intensive care needs and more. It is the only pediatric medical facility in Arizona connected to an academic research facility — the University of Arizona Steele Children’s Research Center — where physician-scientists provide access to groundbreaking science and research to advance children’s health. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/diamondchildrens.
About the Banner Health Foundation
Established in 2001, the Banner Health Foundation engages the community and stewards charitable contributions to advance Banner Health’s nonprofit mission to make health care easier so life can be better. Charitable contributions are invested locally to support patient care programs and services operated by Banner’s many hospitals and health care facilities across Arizona and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.bannerhealthfoundation.org.
Caption information:
Play Zone-CEO – Allison Flynn Gaffney, chief executive officer of Banner University Medical Center Tucson
Play Zone-Trull – Hadley Trull, associate director, child life, Diamond Children's Medical Center
Play Zone-Coach Lloyd -- University of Arizona basketball coach Tommy Lloyd
For further information contact us at: [email protected]
