FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 22, 2007
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Public Relations Associate
860.545.9956 or pager 860.220.3569 

"Nine-Year-Old Inspires Dr. Perricone To Make $400k Gift To Connecticut Children’s Medical Center "

Dr. Perricone, widely recognized in the field of anti-aging research and treatment, said he has always had a strong interest in children’s health since he completed his internship in Pediatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine.

“I have always been impressed by the level of top quality medicine practiced at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,” Dr. Perricone said. “The need for the daVinci Robotic Surgical System is a critical one that will be of significant benefit to the children.”

At the news conference where he presented his donation, Dr. Perricone met the young boy whose story inspired him to make the gift for the robotic surgery system. Nine-year-old Spencer Roberge of Bristol, had to wait nearly six months until his surgeon, pediatric urologist Christina Kim, MD, was able to schedule time available on a daVinci robot at Hartford Hospital.

The delicate surgical procedure Spencer needed to correct a kidney problem would have required a major operation and lengthy and painful hospitalization and recovery using traditional open surgery. Spencer’s family opted to wait for the robotic procedure, suggested as a less invasive alternative by Dr. Kim. Spencer’s successful operation necessitated only a day and a half in the hospital and no post-operative pain medication.

Spencer and his family were so grateful for the robotic surgery success that they donated $1,000 to help purchase a DaVinci robot for CCMC.

“We are grateful to Dr. Perricone. Purchasing this robotic surgery system to help kids like Spencer would not be possible without his outstanding generosity,” said Martha Schall, vice president of the CCMC Foundation.

Dr. Perricone said, “the health and well-being of children has always been a passion of mine. I very much welcome the opportunity to assist on a local level through this donation.”