{"article":{"id":211823,"heading":"KIDS ON PAPER FLIES SANTA\u2019S WHEELCHAIR INTO VALLEY HOSPITALS","author":"Gary Cifra","created":"2007-12-20 19:09:28","modified":"2013-11-11 00:50:35","last_modified":"Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:50:35","article":"<br>  <br> PRESS RELEASE \t\tDate: 12\/19\/07 <br><br> TITLE: &ldquo;KIDS ON PAPER FLIES SANTA&rsquo;S WHEELCHAIR INTO VALLEY HOSPITALS&rdquo; <br><br> WHO: KIDS ON PAPER (www.kidsonpaper.org) <br><br> WHAT: &ldquo;THE KIDS ON PAPER HOLIDAY CHEER PROJECT&rdquo;: <br>  <br> KIDS ON PAPER&rsquo;S wheelchair-bound director Gary Cifra and his assistant director\/wife Patty bring gifts of comic books and graphic novels to young hospital patients this December. <br><br> WHERE: Valley Presbyterian Hospital and Northridge Hospital, San Fernando Valley  <br>  <br>   <br>  <br> WHEN: December 10th through New Year&rsquo;s 2008 <br>  <br> Director Gary Cifra founded KIDS ON PAPER in 2003 to share his &ldquo;passion for stories told in one of the oldest media in the world&rdquo;.* Gary&rsquo;s diagnosis of MS, which has him confined him to a wheelchair, has proven to be an encouragement rather than a disability, demonstrating that no matter what your circumstance, you can reach beyond your current hardship. <br>  <br> After a successful KIDS ON PAPER HOLIDAY CHEER PROJECT visit at Valley Presbyterian Hospital last Thursday, KIDS ON PAPER&rsquo;S wheelchair-bound director Gary Cifra was at home planning his next comic book gift-giving visit, but decided to take the day off. The following evening, an ambulance was rushing him to Encino Hospital with a serious infection. <br><br> After three days in the hospital, Gary is now home and recovering. He and his wife Patty, KIDS ON PAPER&rsquo;S assistant director, are planning their next visit to Northridge Hospital this Thursday, December 20th. <br><br> &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to say this is becoming old hat, but I&rsquo;ve been to the hospital many times &ndash; five or six times this century so far, in fact. I can feel myself getting stronger, day by day, <br>  <br> and I&rsquo;ll be by for our next visit soon. I believe that comics can help transport kids in the hospital on a sequential art adventure into a world of pictures and imagination and out of the world of nurses and doctors and being poked with needles. &ldquo;Do we have any copies of &lsquo;Little Lulu&rsquo;?&rsquo;&rdquo; Gary asks Patty, referring to one of his favorite classic comic strips by John Stanley. <br>  <br> CONTACT:\tPhone: (818) 901-1981  Email: <a href=\"mailto:gary@linesonpaper.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">gary@linesonpaper.com<\/a> <br>  <br><br> \tWebsite: www.linesonpaper.org <br>  <br> MISSION STATEMENT <br>  <br> KIDS ON PAPER&rsquo;s mission is to reintroduce children to a rich, vibrant medium &ndash; comics: a hidden literary and artistic treasure trove, as well as a personal means to creative self-expression, and a highly accessible gateway to a full array of successful and rewarding career paths. KIDS ON PAPER is a 501 &copy; (3) non-profit group. <br>  <br> Please visit us to learn more at: www.kidsonpaper.org <br>  <br> *Los Angeles Times 12\/15\/95 <br><br> \n","contact":"gary@linesonpaper.com","link":"www.kidsonpaper.org","address":"6253 Longridge Ave., Valley Glen CA 91401","phone":"818-901-1981","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/plain","summary":"\u201cTHE KIDS ON PAPER HOLIDAY CHEER PROJECT\u201d:\r\nKIDS ON PAPER\u2019S wheelchair-bound director Gary Cifra and his assistant director\/wife Patty bring gifts of comic books and graphic novels to young hospital patients this December.","numcomment":0,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2007\/12\/211823.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[]}