Bankers Healthcare Group Donates $25,000 to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital

Donation Covers Parking Costs for PICU Families

The Upstate Foundation received a $25,000 gift from Bankers Healthcare Group, a leading provider of financial solutions for healthcare professionals, to benefit families in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. 

As a result, parents with children in the PICU won’t have to worry about paying for parking. A majority of the donation will go toward covering short- and long-term parking costs, with the remainder helping to fund monthly family dinners held at the hospital.  

“Having a child in the hospital is difficult, and worrying about having to pay for parking only adds to a family’s stress. We hope that our donation helps to relieve some of the burden on PICU families, and that the dinners provide a time for community and support,” said Chris Panebianco, chief marketing officer at BHG. “Our community is very fortunate to have Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. My son has been a patient, and I can speak firsthand to the staff’s excellent caregiving and expertise.”

“The children’s hospital PICU treats approximately 750 children per year,” noted Jenny Dickinson, Upstate Foundation’s coordinator for pediatric programs and events. “To date, BHG’s donation has helped offset parking costs for over 200 families.” 

PICU child life specialist Sue Karl explained, “When you have a sick or injured child, parents want to dedicate all of their focus and energy on that child. Often, families are absorbing a tremendous amount of new information about a disease, disorder or injury, and it can feel as though their world is being knocked off course. I have seen firsthand how the donation from BHG eliminates one of the many issues swirling around in a parent’s mind when their child is hospitalized unexpectedly. This gift allows parents to come and go from the PICU as needed—whether it’s to get home to care for other children or to maintain employment while their child receives care. Every little bit helps.” 

Bankers Healthcare Group