Each year, the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center (JJCCC) at Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach treats more than 800 children and adolescents with cancer and serious blood disorders. Yet currently, the pediatric hematology/oncology (hem/onc) unit only has a 14-bed capacity. This is not enough to support the growing needs of the community.

The next phase of the Miller Children's pavilion expansion project is underway, with the build out of the second half of the 2nd floor and the entire 3rd floor. The 3rd floor will house the new JJCCC hem/onc unit. This new unit will help Miller Children's support increased capacity, create a warmer healing environment, allow family privacy with a "home-like" setting, decrease risk of infection and contribute to the improvement of overall patient care.

Fortunately, for Miller Children's, Olga Megdal, a children's memorial hospital auxiliary member of almost 15 years and long-time Miller Children's supporter, was first to step up and name the first of 24 private-patient rooms in the new JJCCC hem/onc unit.

Medgal is not only tied to Miller Children's, but also desperately hopes that one day there will be a cure for cancer. "I believe that helping to build a new pediatric cancer unit is a fantastic cause," says Megdal. "My husband passed away from cancer and unfortunately cancer doesn't have an age boundary. I hope that in the future we will find a cure for cancer so that nobody has to go through that terrible disease, especially a child. And maybe one day we'll even find that cure right here in Miller Children's own walls."

In support of patient and family centered care, the 24 new private rooms will provide patients and their families with a personal, comfortable space, allowing families, visitors and the care team ample space to partner in care. They also have leading technology, including a state-of-the-art hepa-filtration system, which will reduce the risk of infection.

Also, Medgal has been a leader in encouraging others in the community to step up and support this important initiative. "I get great pleasure out of giving back," she says. "I truly believe that the act of giving is more pleasurable than to actually receive."