New Panda Cares® Center of Hope Open for Patients and Families at UF Health Jacksonville

On August 6th, we celebrated the opening of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope, made possible by the associates and guests of Panda Express®, who foster the spirit of giving and help change kids’ health, change the future.

The Panda Cares Center of Hope (PCCOH) is a hospital space that is designed to provide a safe and comforting place where kids can be kids again and that recognizes the partnership between Panda Express and UF Health Jacksonville. The Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Funds raised for UF Health Jacksonville by Panda associates and guests have also supported the Child Life program. Child Life specialists, like Chase Hatley, help children and their families adjust to hospitalization and make their stay as positive as possible. By bringing families to the PCCOH, they can spend a few minutes decompressing and enjoying activities like playing video games, reading books, playing with Legos and coloring. The Panda Cares Center of Hope is designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive.

Panda Express® guests and their associates in Jacksonville/Brunswick have raised nearly $925,537.93 for UF Health Jacksonville and Wolfson Children’s Hospital since 2009.

Panda Cares® Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express® associates and guests. Following a multimillion-dollar commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares® Centers of Hope, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations at several hospitals in the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington D.C.

We are thankful for contributions made by Panda Express® associates and guests throughout the year at the register and through associate giving, benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.