Campaign to build The Play Zone at Diamond Children’s hits milestone

03/31/2023

The Play Zone will be a vibrant
space for children to engage in
recreation and therapeutic play. 

Led by Tucson business owner and Banner Health Foundation board member Jeremy Sharpe, the campaign to build a Play Zone at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Tucson is now two-thirds of the way to goal. More than 200 generous donors and companies have given a collective $2 million toward the $3 million fundraising goal. Gifts have ranged in size from $5 to $500,000 and every dollar counts.

The Play Zone will be a vibrant, 7,200 square-foot space for our most vulnerable patients – our children - to engage in recreation and therapeutic play. It will enable our Child Life Specialists to serve up to 40% more patients, supporting their cognitive, physical and emotional well-being, reducing trauma and accelerating recovery time. 

“During the pandemic, my wife Lexy and I learned one parenting lesson fast: kids need space to play,” says Sharpe. “The Play Zone is about giving that same gift of play to hospitalized children who are otherwise limited to the confines of their hospital room during their stay. The Play Zone will bring a sense of joy and light to a place where children need it most.”

Closing the gap and making The Play Zone a reality requires support from the community. If you have already supported the Play Zone with a gift or multi-year pledge, thank you. If not, please consider a tax-deductible donation today. 100% of your gift will support construction and furnishing of The Play Zone. Commemorative naming opportunities are available to recognize significant gifts. 

Support the Play Zone with your online gift or contact Debbie Sheppard, Chief Development Officer for Tucson, at 520.694.3967 or Debbie.Sheppard@BannerHealth.com.

Watch this video about the benefits of the Play Zone for young patients.