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Doernbecher Kids Cheered by Blazers and Healing Hunter Foundation

Joshua, 15, (left) shakes hands with Portland Trail Blazers player Damian Lillard (center) and Maurice "Moe" Harkless as the team visits OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital on Dec. 7, 2017. #RipCity — with Damian Lillard and Maurice Harkless at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

Portland, OR. OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital had some holiday excitement when the Blazers came for a visit. A 15-year-old patient named Joshua got to meet Damian Lillard and Maurice “Moe” Harkless as team members visited the hospital on December 7th.

Faith and her brother Devin visit with members of the Portland Trail Blazers, including Jusuf Nurkic at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Jovante cheers as he wins a basketball game against Portland Trail Blazers player Caleb Swanigan, while Maurice “Moe” Harkless and assistant coach Dale Osbourne look on.

Cooper, 12, fist-bumps Portland Trail Blazers player Damian Lillard, while Maurice “Moe” Harkless and assistant coach Dale Osbourne look on.

Also at the hospital, this is the 6th year in a row that the Healing Hunter Foundation has “Decked the Halls” transforming the entire Oncology Unit into a magical Winter Wonderland. The Foundation was started on behalf of Hunter Zen Thawley, who was a, “Courageous and charismatic lil’ 3 yr. old who lost his battle to AML Leukemia in 2010.” Portland Fire & Rescue also graces the halls with the foundation on a yearly basis providing holiday cheer with an abundance of glitter, sparkle and shine. Here’s a look at their decorations:

Lieutenant Todd Thawley, (Hunter’s dad and Co-Founder of the Healing Hunter Foundation) helps decorate OHSU Doernbechers on his day off from fighting fires.

The decorated halls at OHSU Doernbecher Chidren’s Hospital.

The entire volunteer crew of the Healing Hunter Foundation that Decks the Halls for the holidays at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Bellagios Pizza, (Goose Hollow location) donated lunch to feed the entire volunteer crew. This is the 2nd year in a row that they’ve donated pizza and salad.

A Winter Wonderland has been created at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital by the Healing Hunter Foundation. This is the 6th year in a row that the foundation has transformed the entire Oncology Unit adding much needed sparkle and shine to lots of families staying at the hospital through the holidays.

Portland Firefighters, along with the Healing Hunter Foundation, help create the holiday magic at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital for the holidays.

From OHSU Doernbecher:

OHSU Doernbecher offers the region’s broadest range of pediatric treatments – to more children in more places than any other hospital in Oregon or Southwest Washington.• Providing the greatest number of children’s specialists working together in one location • Offering the newest and most advanced treatments because Doernbecher is part of OHSU, Oregon’s only academic health center • Partnering with providers to deliver care to children from every county in Oregon • Integrating inpatient, outpatient and surgical care in one facility

Education and training

Educating pediatric specialists throughout the region

• More than half of Oregon’s practicing pediatricians were trained at Doernbecher • Doernbecher offers the only pediatric residency program in Oregon – and each year more than 600 medical students from around the country vie for the program’s 16 spots • More than a quarter of all physicians in the U.S. pursuing pediatrics apply to Doernbecher each year as interns and residents • Doernbecher provides a wide range of professional development

Pediatric research

Finding cures and treatments, changing the face of pediatric medical science

• Involved in more than 80 active pediatric clinical trials and databases – more than all other Oregon hospitals combined

• Part of OHSU, a nationally ranked research institution where more than 4,000 research studies are currently under way

• Testing the newest potential cancer therapies as one of only 21 National Cancer Institute-designated pediatric Phase 1 cancer centers in the nation; world’s first hospital to test the effectiveness of Gleevec, the revolutionary cancer pill* on kids

• Breakthrough research in the genetic and cellular causes of childhood diseases

Community outreach

Doernbecher experts collaborate to improve the health of children

• Doernbecher experts travel the region to provide specialty care at more than 150 outreach clinics in 13 locations so kids can receive care in their own communities

• The Pediatric and Neonatal Doernbecher Transport (PANDA) team responds to emergencies throughout the state, making more than 800 trips each year

• Doernbecher’s telemedicine network includes sites in Eugene, Medford, Roseburg, Silverton, Astoria, Coos Bay and McMinnville – allowing Doernbecher specialists to partner with regional providers via state-of-the-art technology

OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

Because every child deserves the best.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.