CHOP celebrates 60th anniversary of Daisy Days

UNIVERSITY CITY (WPVI) -- This year marks the 60th anniversary of Daisy Days, the month long fundraiser for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"Daisy days is a way for our patients to get involved," said Melanie Bell, president and CEO of CHOP.

Whether it's creating decorative daisies or being a model for a day and walking the runway, the month of May is an opportunity to interact with family, friends and other patients.

"Many people are not aware that the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization," said Lamia P. Barakat, PhD at CHOP Pediatric Cancer Center.

Daisy Days is one of the many fundraisers that has helped CHOP remain one of the most innovative hospitals in the world.

"We're an international destination. People from all over the country and all over the world come here to seek care, but we're also a charity," said Bell.

Money raised directly funds programs like their Charity Life Services.

"We have a number of different things that we do with children that are not typically funded by medical insurance, which includes art therapy, music therapy and pet therapy," said Bell.

It also supports the innovative treatments that have made CHOP a revolutionary research facility.

"I feel very fortunate to be making as huge an impact, both on the local community here in Philadelphia as well as on the global community of pediatric patients," said Dr. Joseph St. Geme, Department of Pediatrics Chairman and Physician Chief.

They are credited with the invention of closed incubators, the balloon catheter, vaccines for rubella and rotavirus - common practices that have changed medical procedure in the past and potentially in the future.

"Miracles happen here everyday," said Bell.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is the oldest children's hospital in the United States. It remains a leader in medicine thanks to a community of supporters that grows larger each May through Daisy Days.