MCH opens new 'Panda Cares Center of Hope'

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - Medical Center Hospital recently announced the opening of the "Panda Cares Center of Hope," a newly renovated space featuring several video game systems and monitors, interactive games and art, as well as a library with books for all ages of children.

The Hospital said the space was specifically designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive.

"Our Panda Care Center of Hope is going to open horizons for what we can provide here in our pediatric unit through mental, spiritual, and emotional. We're able to meet those kids need, you know, while they're staying here. Our Panda Care Center of Hope is going to be a kind of space for them to go and relax and unwind and take away that stigma of what a hospital is," said Samantha Serrano, with the Children's Miracle Network.

"So we found out about this in our partnership because we committed to raise over $770 thousand. Currently right now we're a little over $500 thousand of that achieved. So when we found out we had made that milestone, we wanted to do this opening because we're almost there," said Anthony Jara, with Panda Express.

The money was donated as part of Panda Express' "Panda Cares" initiative. All money was donated by guests or employees of Panda Express.