by Marci who is grateful for her friends and family and everyone at Akron Children’s Hospital but still can’t operate the remote, though she brought cookies by Debbie Scott to make up for it

I’m going to start with a quote from Dr. John Crow, who did take a spin at the remote while we were there, and then you tell me how it went? “I think that the cars will be a real hit to the kids and families who are facing high stress in their journey through the surgical enterprise.” said Dr. Crow, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Director of the Paul and Carol David. Burn Institute, and the Clinical Professor of Surgery and Chief Surgical Council, NEOMED, Pediatric Surgeon, and M.D. Chair in Pediatric Surgery. Now that is truly an amazing start for Mabel Motors helping the children at Akron Children’s Hospital.

This and some other comments he had made me think of things I hadn’t mentioned before. I usually talk about how our kids will benefit, because I know this will help so much with separation anxiety and fears, but Dr. Crow helped me see how much the parents would also benefit. Imagine the fear and anxiety of your child going to surgery without the Mabel Motors program. Of course unlike some hospitals, Akron Children’s Hospital still has all sort of tools to help, but now imagine watching your child head out happy in a MiniCar with music and lights and so much less fear and anxiety (maybe there are even smiles and giggles) – wouldn’t that make you feel better too? Thanks, Dr. Crow. I’d been more thinking of other tricks and tips for parents and missing the biggest part of it: a little bit more peace, because your child is that much less afraid.

Look at us in the Lobby with the Mabel Motors Test Car. How cool is that?! I really need to name this car. Anyway, Mason Matthews (my kid) and Brett Fowler (BFF) helped me load Mabel’s Mini Mobile (see I tried naming it that but people said mo-bill instead of mo-beel) in Mason’s truck and headed to Akron the other day. I think we can easily fit two cars in the truck, you?

We got so many positive reactions while unloading and waiting in the lobby with Lois Hollingsworth (Retired RN from Akron Children’s Hospital and Chloe’s Grandma), Brian Hollingsworth (Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation and Chloe’s Dad), and our favorite Official Test Driver Chloe Hollingsworth. We had the cutest little boy take it for a spin too (no photo release yet, but if I get one, you’ll completely love the pics). Then we all headed up to the GOJO® Outpatient Surgery Center to meet with Dr. John Crow, Lori Davenport (BSN,RN, Nurse Manager GOJO® Outpatient Surgery Center), Kathryn Mahon (Marketing Partner Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation), Mary Kline (Clinical Nurse Manager), Megan Hopper (Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation), and Randy Kingzett (Operation Manager Facilities) to talk about the MiniCars and let people drive her.

So my clue that it was going well was when they decided they’d like to keep that car! I was so excited, however knowing it’s been in and outside, I am building them a newer cleaner one – actually two! A red one for the GOJO® Outpatient Surgery Center and a white one for the Main Hospital Operating Room.

With two cars in test mode, we will all figure out procedures, protocols, and communicate feedback to be shared with other departments and you marvelous Mabel Motors fans. We will share some followups here and on our social media as soon as we deliver the cars and start getting information. That leads me to an exciting part of the plans: FUNdraising for more cars in other areas, for the our stuffed Mabel Motors dogs, and for more of the whole Mabel Motors programs! I can’t wait to share the FUNdraising basic plan and some other really great ways for you to help us drive children’s happiness in hospitals. I can count on your help, right? Some of it doesn’t even involve donating: check out our champions page here.

Thank all of you who previewed with us, especially our Test Driver Chloe!

Basically, I am super thrilled to see Mabel Motors in action, especially since we weren’t even going to announce the program until January. Let’s hear your feedback, since it feels like an echo in here? Comment below, reach out on social, check out the website – anything’ll do 😉 Thanks, Marci and Mabel