PROVIDENCE – Hasbro Children’s Hospital and The Izzy Foundation recently celebrated the grand opening of The Izzy Family Room at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The Izzy Family Room is “IZspired” by the mission of The Izzy Foundation, created in 2012 by Drs. Kyle and Tina Wohlrab and their family and friends, to help children with cancer and their families facing cancer to find joy amid the challenges of the disease.
Through numerous fundraisers over the past two years, The Izzy Foundation raised $190,000 to fund the design and renovations to the new family room, which is dedicated to the memory of Isabelle Marie Wohlrab (Izzy), who was diagnosed with Stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma at age 1 and died two years later. From 2010 to 2012, the Wohlrabs spent many months with Izzy in Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The project also received funding support from Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The Izzy Family Room was designed by nationally recognized architect Tom Morbitzer from New York City and constructed by Pariseault Builders. Decorated in purple, Izzy’s favorite color, the space features faux skylights and offers families a home away from home on the hospital’s fifth floor, giving them a comfortable place to make a cup of tea or a snack, relax and meet other families experiencing similar stresses.
“We are thrilled to have the support of The Izzy Foundation, and we hope the collaboration that began in 2012 will continue for a very long time. To us it is truly a very special relationship, and we are grateful beyond words,” said Dr. Timothy J. Babineau, president, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and president and CEO, Lifespan.
