8:01pm | The Wells Fargo Foundation recently awarded the cancer center at Miller Children’s Hospital a $100,000 grant to help cover the cost of the hospital’s third-floor expansion project.

The third floor of the pavilion will be the new home to the Pediatric Cancer Center at the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center. The 14-bed JJCCC requires additional space to treat the more than 800 children it sees annually, according to Lisette Madrid, a spokeswoman for the hospital. 


In order to serve the needs of the region, the pediatric hematology/oncology program needs to not only expand, but also establish permanent endowments to support the unit, Madrid said.

The new JJCCC Pediatric Cancer Center will create a more patient- and family-centered environment and up its capacity from 14 to 24 beds, Madrid said.

Additionally, created will be a warmer healing environment featuring a larger playroom and a garden area, providing patients and families with distractions from the typical hospital setting. The new center also will decrease the risk of infection with HEPA filtration and separate, designated rooms for recreation and therapy. 

The Wells Fargo Foundation issued the grant as part of the giveHope Fundraising Initiative that Miller Children’s Hospital launched in order to raise funds for the expansion project. The initiative offers various opportunities for donations, including naming opportunities, endowments and trusts, corporate giving and event sponsorship, Madrid said.

Ben Alvarado, regional president of Wells Fargo Long Beach Coastal Community Banking recognized the need and importance of financial support for community and local not-for-profit organizations like Miller Children’s Hospital, Madrid said.   

Alvarado also serves as chairman of the fundraising initiative.

“While visiting the center, I was moved by the inspirational stories of the children and their families in the oncology unit,” Alvarado said in a statement. “Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is a symbol of hope for patients, families and the community, and Wells Fargo is proud to support them.”

As a thank-you for the grant, the hospital is naming the new JJCCC’s nurses station and welcome area in recognition of Wells Fargo’s generous gift.  

Madrid called the grant a “stepping stone toward the continuity of care that helps ensure high quality patient care.”