Documentary to Air on PBS Affiliates Highlights Children's Hospitals During National Child Health Month.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Narrated by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, "Faces of a Children's Hospital" illustrates the importance of children's hospitals in their communities

Recognizing the importance of protecting and preserving the health of children, 90 PBS affiliates are kicking off National Child Health Month by airing a new documentary, "Faces of a Children's Hospital," underwritten by Kohl's Department Stores. The documentary, narrated by actress Jamie Lee Curtis, highlights the variety of different "faces" that work in and are served by children's hospitals. It takes a look at the important services children's hospitals provide their communities including providing healthcare, conducting crucial research and giving hope and compassion.

Over 3 million children are hospitalized each year. Of that number, over 1 million, or 30-40 percent, receive care in one of the approximately 250 children's hospitals across the country.

(Source: National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions - NACHRI, 2005)

"Like so many fathers and grandfathers across the country, I am incredibly thankful for children's hospitals and their ability to take care of all children," says Lawrence A. McAndrews, president and CEO of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions. "Every child benefits from children's hospitals -- through hospital research programs that have led to crucial childhood vaccines, to the care provided to children by pediatricians and nurses trained at children's hospitals, to life-saving procedures first implemented at children's hospitals. Simply put: All children need children's hospitals and the role they play in children's lives could not be more important."

"Children's hospitals play a vital role in their communities. In addition to providing medical treatment for a variety of health issues facing children, they also provide a wealth of other services including training opportunities for medical professionals, research facilities, child advocacy, and child health and safety initiatives. These services benefit all children, a point that is well-illustrated in this documentary," commented Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing. "Participating in this project, which highlights five of the hospitals we partner with through our Kohl's Cares for Kids(R) program, is a natural extension of Kohl's commitment to children's health and educational opportunities in the communities we serve."

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who narrates "Faces of a Children's Hospital," also has a strong commitment to children's health issues. "I'm happy to support Kohl's Department Stores in their efforts to improve health and educational opportunities for the thousands of special children in Kohl's communities."

Kohl's and Curtis have previously partnered to offer Curtis' children's books through the Kohl's Cares for Kids program, which raises funds to benefit health and educational opportunities in the communities Kohl's serves. To date, Kohl's partners with 127 hospitals nationwide and has donated tens of millions of dollars to support programs including car seat safety checks, mobile health units, injury prevention programs and much more.

Kohl's commitment to children's hospitals is made possible through the Kohl's Cares for Kids(R) program, which raises funds through the sale of special merchandise. One hundred percent of the net profits from the sale of these items benefit health and educational opportunities in the communities Kohl's serves. Kohl's community outreach also includes Kohl's Kids Who Care(R), an annual youth volunteer recognition program, fundraising gift cards for local schools and non-profit youth groups, as well as an associate program to encourage volunteerism.

"Faces of a Children's Hospital" will air on select PBS affiliate stations throughout the month of October as part of National Child Health Month. Led by the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children, National Child Health Month aims to focus national attention on children's health issues. Other United States Agencies and White House Offices included in celebrating Child Health Month are:

--Environmental Protection Agency

--Department of Health and Human Services 

--Department of Education

--Department of Labor

--Department of Justice

--Department of Energy

--Department of Housing and Urban Development

--Department of Agriculture

--Department of Transportation

--Office of Management and Budget

--Council on Environmental Quality

--Consumer Product Safety Commissions

--National Economic Council

--Domestic Policy Control

--Council of Economic Advisors

--Office of Science and Technology Policy

--General Services Administration

About Kohl's

Kohl's commitment to children is driven by the Kohl's Cares for Kids(R) program, which supports health and educational opportunities for children in the communities it serves. Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced national, exclusive and private brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl's operates 674 stores in 40 states. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit Kohl's Web site at kohls.com.