PCH patients uplifted by ‘Cheeriodicals’

Hundreds of patients and parents at Phoenix Children’s Hospital felt the warmth of their community this week with the arrival of a bunch of bright green boxes.

Ten-year-old Lilly Barrett was one of more than 400 patients who tore into the boot-box sized “Cheeriodicals.” The name was borne out of the boxes’ cheery contents mixed with children’s periodicals and books.

The day before their delivery, 1,400 employees from Thermo Fisher Scientific in Anthem filled the boxes as part of a team-building project.

Betsy Rosebrugh, manager of Child Life and School at PCH, escorted the deliveries to several floors for children of various ages.

“We’ve got (boxes) for babies, preemies, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, teens,” she explained. “There are magazines for the child and the parent.”

Thermo Fisher already had a relationship with PCH, having sent medical supplies in the past, but changed the delivery up when it paired with “Cheeriodicals” to supply happiness to 424 children at PCH.

Rosebrugh was happy to accept.

“We depend on the community donations to bring in and help these kids get through the hospitalization,” she said. “When companies do things like this it helps brighten their day.”

When asked if the children might prefer candy or a dozen cookies, Rosebrugh answered, “A cookies gonna’ be eaten and then it’s done. But this is going to last for a long time.”