Power 106’s, DJs J Cruz and Cece Valencia visit Kayla, 10, at her bedside to surprise her with a stuffed animal.
Power 106’s, DJs J Cruz and Cece Valencia visit Kayla, 10, at her bedside to surprise her with a stuffed animal.

MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach understands and embraces the power of music and its healing effect on hospitalized children. Through the Music Therapy Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s, patients of all ages receive joy from listening to their favorite songs or music artists, and even creating their own music while hospitalized.

Liset Meruelo, presents a $20,000 check to Sharon Thornton, president, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Foundation,supporting the Music Therapy Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s.
Liset Meruelo, presents a $20,000 check to Sharon Thornton, president, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Foundation,supporting the Music Therapy Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s.

In the last several years, Liset and Alex Meruelo of the Meruelo Group have embraced Miller Children’s & Women’s vision to help patients heal through music. On Tuesday, Dec. 18, they continued their support with a $20,000 donation to grow the Music Therapy Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s. The donation helped kick off a musical-themed holiday celebration for patients that included special visits from Power 106 and 93.5 KDAY DJs, along with Frozen and Star Wars characters.

“Our patients’ eyes brighten up when they see the DJs and characters,” says Rita Goshert, manager, Child Life Program, Miller Children’s & Women’s. “Our younger kids love singing along with Anna and Elsa, while our older kids love talking about music with the DJs. There’s something for everyone!”

Patients that were too sick to join the festivities in the playrooms still received special bedside visits from the DJs and characters and received their own unique teddy bear.

“I began donating teddy bears to patients at Miller Children’s & Women’s 21 years ago,” says Liset Meruelo. “It all began when my own child was hospitalized here. I noticed how a simple teddy bear made a huge difference in my child’s comfort level. We all want something to cuddle with when we’re scared.”

Liset Meruelo collects stuffed animals throughout the year from Meruelo Group employees, families and friends.

“We are so grateful to Liset and Alex Meruelo for bringing a day of joy to our patients during the holidays and of their continuous support of our Music Therapy Program,” says Sharon Thornton, president, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Foundation. “Their generosity will make a lasting impact on our patients’ ability to express themselves and heal through music during a difficult time in their lives.”

A young patient at Miller Children’s & Women’s is thrilled to be surprised witha stuffed animal by Liset Meruelo.
A young patient at Miller Children’s & Women’s is thrilled to be surprised witha stuffed animal by Liset Meruelo.
Frozen and Star Wars characters visit and deliver a stuffed animal at a Miller Children’s & Women’s patient’s bedside.
Frozen and Star Wars characters visit and deliver a stuffed animal at a Miller Children’s & Women’s patient’s bedside.