New Clinic for Special Children breaks ground

On April 4, the sun shone brightly over the tent set up at the site along Hatville Road in Intercourse where the new Clinic for Special Children (CSC) will be built. Herman Bontrager, board chair of CSC and chair of the Keeping the Promise: Building Hope Capital Campaign, welcomed the gathering, noting, "We have a perfect day." The groundbreaking and tree planting that occurred on the site not only celebrated the new building, but also commemorated the founding of CSC by Dr. Holmes Morton and his wife, Caroline, 34 years ago. "They had the vision and courage to establish a clinic to serve children with genetically transmitted diseases here in Lancaster County," said Bontrager, who noted that the new building will help more families, allow for the innovation of new therapies, and be a place of comfort and hope for generations to come. He stated that more than 1,700 donors have contributed to the $8.8 million raised toward the $12.5 million goal of the campaign.

Adam Heaps, CSC executive director, pointed out that the need had outgrown the current facility in Strasburg. "We endeavored to design a (new) building that offers refuge to families with rare disease. Every detail of the building was designed for the benefit of patient families," he said.

Glenn Zimmerman, a member of the board of directors and chair of the Gift in Kind committee, said that volunteers and donors to the Gift in Kind campaign have unique connections to the CSC mission. "It is inspiring to see everyone come together for this monumental project," he said, adding that the committee has secured more than $1.49 million in materials and labor.

John J. Herman, chief executive officer with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, spoke of the collaborative relationship between his organization and CSC, telling the story of a patient born with spinal muscular atrophy who received gene replacement therapy shortly after birth. "Her life is forever changed," he said. "The construction of this facility keeps state-of-the-art care here in Lancaster."

County Commissioners Ray D'Agostino and Joshua Parsons spoke, as did Frank Howe, chair of the Leacock Township Board of Supervisors.

Idario Santos, whose son was born in Brazil with maple syrup urine disease, spoke of the difference CSC made when the disease could not be treated in his home country. "People ask what the clinic did for my son, but the question is really 'What did the clinic do for my family?'" He said when his family came to the U.S. he saw children with the disease playing normally while his son had to be in the hospital. "He is the first patient cured from Brazil," said Santos. "I know what the clinic can do for others like my family."

Dr. Kevin A. Strauss, medical director for CSC, said, "The family of Idario Santos have shown us what it means to build hope. Hope is not so much a feeling but an act that demands our commitment and effort." He added, "The future of the clinic is not in concrete, bricks, and mortar, but in the hearts of the people who seek our care. This project is our promise to them."

The ceremony concluded with the planting of a tree. Richie Lauer, who gave the blessing, prayed, "If this tree lives, it will be because (God) provided the nutrients, rain, and sunshine. If this clinic serves for generations to come, it will be because (God) provided the resources." Board members hope the new clinic will open in 2024.

More information about the clinic may be found at http://www.ClinicforSpecialChildren.org.