The Gary Magness Family Foundation Donates $1.5 Million to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

The endowment will support music therapy for patients

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Investor and film producer Gary Magness and his wife, director-producer
Sarah Siegel-Magness, have made a $1.5 million donation to Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) on behalf of The Gary Magness Family
Foundation. The gift establishes The Gary Magness Family Foundation
Endowed Music Therapist position, which will allow CHLA to recruit and
retain a full-time certified music therapist for the Mark Taper-Johnny
Mercer Artists Program, expanding the capacity of the program to better
meet the needs of patients recovering from life-threatening diagnoses.

“We are grateful to the Magness family and the generous commitment they
have made to fortify one of our hospital’s most beloved programs,” says
Paul S. Viviano, president and chief executive officer of Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles. “Programs like the Mark Taper-Johnny Mercer
Artists Program differentiate the care provided at CHLA from that of
other health care facilities and support positive health outcomes for
children who require comprehensive pediatric care.”

Prior to this gift, the program found it challenging to fulfill the
numerous referrals from physicians, nurses, support team members and
families due to limited funding and staffing. Team members must
prioritize requests to provide supportive therapeutic interactions for
patients with the most severe diagnoses. This gift will enable the team
to better serve more hospitalized children experiencing a wide range of
medical conditions.

“Philanthropic support like this gift from the Magness family helps
ensure that supportive treatment services like music therapy, which
complement a patient’s medical care and can have a profoundly positive
impact on patients and families, are more readily available to the
children who need them most,” says Alexandra Field, manager of CHLA’s
Expressive Arts and Therapies department.

The Magness family has seen firsthand the impact music therapy can have
on patients and families. Sarah and her daughter Camryn, a pop singer
and actress, and Sarah’s brother Warren, visited the Steven & Alexandra
Cohen Foundation Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit where they
observed a CHLA music therapist at work; Camryn was able to join in on a
music therapy session.

“Our family knows the healing power the arts, especially music, can have
on a person,” says Siegel-Magness. “Camryn and I witnessed a music
therapy session in the NICCU and instantly, our lives were changed. We
were so moved by the session. We both agreed this type of treatment
should be available to any child who wants it.”

For hospitalized children, music can be an incredibly effective tool.
Multiple research studies have found that music therapy’s benefits
include:

• Increased weight gain and decreased length of stay for infants in the
  NICCU
• Improved mood for patients following a music therapy session
• Reduced pain perception, which can lead to a decreased need for
  anesthesia and pain medication
• Increased treatment compliance
• Improved family bonding and attachment for young children and infants
• Decreased stress and anxiety

The Magness family lives in Denver, Colorado. Gary Magness is the
chairman of the Magness Investment Group LLC headquartered in Denver. He
and his wife are co-founders of Smokewood Entertainment. The couple’s
credits include producing the six-time Oscar nominated film “Precious”
and the film “Judy Moody and The Not Bummer Summer.”

Camryn Magness, known to her fans as Camryn, has toured with One
Direction and Fifth Harmony, and has appeared in several films and TV
shows. She is also known for her philanthropic efforts in the city of
Denver, which have included volunteering at winter coat drives and
performing at children’s hospitals.

The Gary Magness Family Foundation has supported numerous charitable
organizations, including Alliance for Children’s Rights, The Eva
Longoria Foundation, Food Bank of the Rockies, Habitat for Humanity, a
native Brazilian tribe called the Xavante, Vanderpump Pets Charity and
the Jane Goodall Institute. The foundation is also a major contributor
to the Whole Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Whole Foods
Market. Their contribution provides funding for salad bar equipment for
400 schools across the United States. Teaching children the value of
fresh fruits and vegetables aligns with the Magness family’s passion for
improving access to good food for families.

About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is dedicated to creating hope and
building healthier futures for children. Founded in 1901, CHLA is one of
the nation’s leading pediatric academic medical centers and is
acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent
health. The hospital relies on the generosity of the community to
support its groundbreaking pediatric research and the complex care it
provides for critically ill and injured children.

For more information, visit CHLA.org.
Follow us on Twitter,
Facebook,
YouTube
and LinkedIn,
or visit the CHLA
blog.

Contacts

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Monica Rizzo, (323) 361-5745
mrizzo@chla.usc.edu