Yesterday was a red-letter day for Children’s as we work to improve the health of children everywhere. Children’s has provided some assistance to the victims of the Haitian earthquake. News reports tell how quickly basic supplies were depleted in Haiti in the face of such overwhelming need. A spontaneous collaboration grew from a conversation with our board member Joel Quadracci and CEO Peggy Troy about how we could send help.

In a few hours we were able to pull together a donation of antibiotics, dressings, bandages, formula, slippers, crutches and more… we are indeed fortunate to have supplies to share. The fantastic part is that the materials were collected, assembled, transported and delivered by the Quad/Graphics airplane so quickly and so efficiently. They safely flew to the Dominican Republic and were delivered to the Red Cross in Santo Domingo at 02:00 this morning, less than 24 hours after Joel and Peggy’s conversation. Now the supplies are crossing the border to Haiti where they will do a world of good.

After thanking everyone who helped, I went home proud of what we had done, proud of my organization and my community, and grateful to be a part of some help for kids and families who have been badly hurt by a devastating natural disaster.

-Tracy Cleveland, director, Materials Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Only 20 percent of all teens get the recommended nine hours of sleep per night. Yet more than half of all teens report feeling sleepy during the day.  The impact of this includes being late to school or falling asleep in school, being too tired to exercise or driving while drowsy. According to a new study, electronic devices may contribute to teens not getting enough sleep at night. In the study, 100 teens filled out questionnaires about how much time after 9 p.m. they spent with various electronic devices.  The results were eye-opening: 82 percent reported watching television, more than half reported on-line computer use, and a little less than half reported talking on the phone.  Fifty-seven percent reported completing homework.  On average, teens engaged in four technology activities after 9 p.m.  And, caffeine consumption tended to be higher in the teens who were multitasking and getting less sleep.

Suggestions to improve your teen’s sleep:
1.    Avoid having a TV or computer in the bedroom and turn them off at least 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
2.    Set limits for when your teen can make or receive phone calls and text messages.
3.    Limit caffeine, especially after lunch time.
4.    Make sleep a priority in your family and set a good example.

If you are concerned about your teen’s sleep habits, learn more about how we can help by visiting Children’s Sleep Center.

Well, the snow is coming down today marking the first big snowstorm of 2010. Though we adults may dread driving in it, nothing makes kids happier than sledding down a hill blanketed with fresh snow.

But did you know that each winter 24,500 kids are injured in sledding accidents? About 3,000 of these kids suffer a serious brain injury as a result. These are scary statistics that no parent wants to think about. A few simple precautions can help prevent many of these injuries:

• Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet.
• Check the sledding area before your child uses it.
• Look for bumps and ice.
• Make sure it’s away from traffic and doesn’t lead to lakes or rivers.
• Always supervise your child while he or she is sledding.
• Dress your child appropriately. Tuck in scarves and other loose clothing so nothing gets caught under the sled.
• Teach sled control – how to control the sled, fall off safely and stop.
• Require your child to sled sitting down, facing forward only.
• One person to a sled, unless it’s specifically designed for more than one rider.
• Promote fair play – no pushing or shoving.
• Wait your turn – make sure the hill in front of you is clear of sledders before you go.

Put safety first, and you’ll help ensure a fun and safe sledding season for your child.

–Kevin Walter, MD, program director, Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin