Speediatrics unit celebrates 10th anniversary

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Halifax Health - Betty Jane France Center for Pediatrics, otherwise known as Speediatrics, celebrated the beginning of a new decade of caring by unveiling a complete renovation of the children's unit during a ceremony held Wednesday attended by several NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation dignitaries.

The NASCAR Foundation and Halifax Health are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Speediatrics, which Mrs. France called "a unique facility, across the United States, for the treatment of childhood illnesses." In recognition of this celebration, The NASCAR Foundation presented Speediatrics with a $150,000 donation to the unit.

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During the event Mrs. France, NASCAR Foundation chairperson and wife of the late NASCAR chairman William C. France, was joined by NASCAR president and NASCAR Foundation board member Mike Helton, NASCAR Foundation board member Rusty Wallace, Daytona Beach mayor Glenn Ritchey and Halifax Health president and CEO Jeff Feasel.

"I think the entire NASCAR community is a very responsible group and I'm so proud of all of them," Mrs. France said following the check presentation. "It's really great to be associated with NASCAR and to be a big part of that. The NASCAR Foundation's support of Speediatrics is an extension of that support -- all of the drivers help me to do this -- especially beginning with Dale Earnhardt [10 years ago] -- so it's really special."

It's a cause of great pride for Helton.

"An event like this speaks to the fact that NASCAR and the community that makes up NASCAR -- the drivers, owners and crewmen as well as the race tracks and the businesspeople involved in the sport -- they all are very conscious of the responsibility that they have to worry about the things that we should worry about.

"I think that the Speediatrics unit in this hospital, that Betty Jane had the original concept for, in her home community speaks to that. It's stayed fresh and it's stayed important because of that constant effort and that reminder to all of us that we have this responsibility to do these types of things."

The renovation of the NASCAR-themed unit was accomplished with the help of NASCAR sponsors 3M and Best Buy as well as Vomela Motorsports, Akzo Nobel Paints LLC and K'NEX. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Juan and Connie Montoya's Formula Smiles Foundation have also supported this very important cause.

The renovation includes a new nurse's station, as well as new flooring, lighting and furniture for the kids and teen rooms. The Speediatrics décor has been updated with child-friendly decorations on the walls and ceiling featuring custom Speediatrics cartoon characters.

Also included is a new donor wall complete with a new video display and the restoration of the iconic signature wall that includes autographs from drivers who have visited the unit over the years.

"So many people have stepped forward to help this important project," Mrs. France said. "Speediatrics has done some remarkable things in its first 10 years. Now, with this renovation, the unit is set to continue its work in coming years. We are all very grateful for the assistance."

Speediatrics is a 36-bed unit that cares for more than 2,000 children annually, with another 400 children receiving critical care in the area's only Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

The environment created by the Speediatrics unit provides a much-needed diversion to young patients undergoing intensive treatments, lessening the intimidation factor that often comes with hospital visits. Each waiting room, hallway, nurse station and patient room has a motorsports theme, including race cars, checkered flags and colorful cartoon characters.

Additionally, each young patient admitted to the unit receives a Speediatrics-themed teddy bear specially designed by Betty Jane France and donated by The NASCAR Foundation, to provide a little extra comfort throughout their intensive treatments and recovery.

"Our pediatrics department, which includes the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, provides vital and exceptional services to East Central Florida residents that are only available at Halifax Health," Feasel said. "And through this wonderful partnership with the France family and The NASCAR Foundation, Speediatrics continues to serve so many families in our community who might otherwise have to go outside of the area for this specialized care."

The NASCAR Foundation initiates a wide range of annual and ongoing fundraising efforts to support Speediatrics. Since 2006, The NASCAR Foundation has donated more than $720,000 to the Speediatrics units in Daytona Beach and Miami. These contributions are made possible in part by funds raised through the participation of many great businesses and fans supporting NASCAR Day.

Speediatrics has also become an important part of the entire NASCAR community's commitment to helping others. NASCAR drivers and other personalities from the sport make frequent visits to the Speediatrics units. Also, NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation employees have made commitments to support the Speediatrics unit through donations and volunteer service.