Final Harry Potter book to be sent to hundreds of hospitalised children

On July 21st, thousands of children in American hospitals undergoing life-saving treatment, including chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, will be treated to the final instalment of Harry Potter.

The Hope for Henry Foundation will deliver thousands of print and CD versions of the book, as well as hosting Harry Potter themed parties at the hospitals, complete with gift bags, trivia contests, readings, and other activities.

The audiobook of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, read by Jim Dale, will be given to children too sick or too young to read the 784 pages of this much-anticipated book.

“Kids undergoing bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy live in isolation so they can’t line up at midnight at a bookstore with everyone else,” said Laurie Strongin, President of Hope for Henry Foundation. “Hope for Henry will bring the book — along with capes and wands, chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts jelly beans — to these hospitalized kids to make sure they don’t miss out on the fun.”
HFHF enhances the quality of life of children and families living with life-threatening illnesses. Knowing that hope, optimism, laughter and fun positively affect patients outcomes, HFHF provides programs and gifts that bring comfort, entertainment and normalcy. Since December 2004, the Foundation has provided more than 1000 children, ages 2-21, at its partner hospitals a choice of their own new iPod, portable DVD player, digital camera, XM Satellite Radio or Nintendo Gameboy to entertain them while they fight to get better. In addition to holding Harry Potter book parties for the last two books in the series, HFHF sponsors summer carnivals, super hero celebrations and Halloween parties for thousands of hospitalized children throughout the year.

“Like all other kids, our patients have been anticipating the release of the final Harry Potter book for months, but many are just too sick to go to a bookstore,” explained Dr. Aziza Shad, Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital. “Hope for Henry understands the importance of bringing the joys of a normal childhood to our patients. The Harry Potter book party will do more than deliver books, it will provide smiles that will last for days, weeks and months.”

hopeforhenry.org