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Photo: Lotsy Dotsy Prateek Patni Sheena Trivedi Patni
August 30, 2019 – The Trivedi Family Foundation and Patni Family recently presented a check for nearly $200,000 to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation to support pediatric programs and families.
Most of the philanthropic donation, $142,000, will help fund pediatric and adolescent suicide prevention and treatment services, since research shows the greatest risk of suicide for children as young as five is within 72 hours of hospital discharge after a mental health crisis.
More than 1,700 kids with mental health issues, many under the age of 10, were seen at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Emergency Department in 2018-19, a 30% increase. Nationally, suicide ideation and attempts by youth aged 5 to 17 more than doubled between 2007 and 2015, with more than 40% of those children between 5 and 11.
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Photo: Dr. David Rube Prateek Patni Sheena Trivedi Patni Dr. Celine Hamilton
Fort Lauderdale residents Sheena Trivedi Patni and Prateek Patni were moved to contribute after becoming aware of the depth of the problem and the relative lack of philanthropic giving in the pediatric mental health arena. “Children are our future, and the emotional wellbeing of a child is just as vital as their physical health, especially now with everything that is happening in the world today. It is evident that mental health issues have become a huge epidemic that has been overlooked in society, so we believe the need for preventive measures is crucial,” said Trivedi Patni.
“The stigma associated with mental health needs to be addressed,” said Prateek Patni, “and our hope is that it becomes an open dialogue in in our communities.”
The Trivedi Family Foundation and Patni Family also contributed $50,000 through the “Catch the Love” campaign to name a room on the 6th floor of the expanded Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. That donation will be matched through a program of the hospital’s nonprofit foundation.
The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation (www.jdchfoundation.org) raises funds to assist patients, families, and underwrite programs, facilities, and equipment at the Hollywood-based pediatric facility, the largest children’s hospital serving Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade counties.
