Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital Receives Generous Donation from Patient’s Family

In memory of their daughter, Vivian Grace, members of the Castaneda Family, of Glen Rock, NJ, recently held a book drive and collected 330 books for the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center. The books, which were collected during the family’s third annual book drive, were recently delivered to the children’s hospital and will be distributed to patients to enjoy while in the hospital and to take home with them to keep.

“In honor of Vivian’s love, we would like to commemorate her by continuing the act of giving love to all the children who maybe going through the same difficult times as she did,” said Mary Grace Castaneda, Vivian’s mother. “The joy, happiness and warmth that these children experience when receiving small gifts is priceless in itself. May these books bring smiles and happiness to each child.  And, in this way, Vivian’s love can continue to spread to the hearts of all children.”

Vivian Grace Castaneda was born in October of 2012. In February 2015, she was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis and was treated at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. Vivian Grace passed away in April of 2015.

The Richard F. Byrd Elementary School in Glen Rock and Simon and Schuster Publishing contributed to the book drive.

“The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is grateful for the continued support of the Castaneda family,” said Theresa Valentino, director of Development at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “Vivian’s school, Simon and Schuster and the Castaneda family have provided books for all ages and interests and will continue to be there for patients and families going through tough situations.”

Photo from left to right: Kelly Suarez, Vivian’s aunt; Maddison and Charlotte Suarez, Vivian’s cousins; Mary Zetelski, licensed clinical social worker, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center; Mary Grace Castaneda, Vivian’s Mother; Emily Castaneda, Vivian’s sister; Kelvin Castaneda, Vivian’s father; Corey Castaneda, Vivian’s brother; and Theresa Valentino, director of Development, Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-18 Best Hospital rankings - maintaining its place atop the NJ rankings since the rating system was introduced. It was also named one of the top four New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2017. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 24 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Northern Trust PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.