The Lori Lange Memorial Toy Fund provides toys for pediatric patients at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC). ANMC nurse Lisa Lange created the fund and named it after her daughter, who was born at ANMC. Lori Lange, unfortunately, spent much of her childhood at the hospital as a patient and lost her battle with cerebral palsy at the age of 18.

Drawing on her experience as both a nurse and mother, Lisa realized that when children are given toys, they are better able to cope with the stress of hospitalization. She started the fund with her own money and donations from other ANMC staff members.

The Lori Lange Memorial Toy Fund benefits all pediatric patients at ANMC, including Pediatrics, Day Surgery, the Level II Trauma Center/Emergency Department and the Sedation Clinic, which are some of the primary entrance and exit areas for young patients. ANMC cares for more than 20,000 children every year, from every region of Alaska. In addition to the stress of hospitalization, child patients are often far from home and families, many for extended periods of time. Everyone at ANMC makes it a priority to provide a welcoming and warm environment for our most vulnerable patients.