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Center Getting Better

staff/Jay Nolan

Bridgette LaCour and Sara Anderson have a laugh with Ronald McDonald at the Children's Cancer Center. The center was celebrating recent improvments including a library with computers

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 29, 2007

Updated: 09/27/2007 07:14 pm

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TAMPA - It is a small room, but it has a huge benefit for children and parents.

The Children's Cancer Center library and computer room was decorated with a mural and upgraded with new computers, software, books, desks and executive-style chairs.

'This looks better than it was,' said Devaughn Akines, 9, after the unveiling Tuesday night.

'I have never seen anything like this,' he said.

The center, 4901 W. Cypress St., received a $10,000 donation from Caspers Co., which owns 48 McDonald's in the Tampa Bay area. The money was dedicated to improving the library, where children with sickle cell disease and cancer are tutored weekly.

Blake Casper, the company's chief executive, said his father, Joe, donated $25,000 to help create the library about eight years ago when the organization moved into the former title agency building on Cypress.

Joe Casper, a three-time cancer survivor, died of the disease 2½ years ago.

Shane Stafford, who has tutored at the center for three years, said the upgrades will motivate students and help them embrace their environment.

'The atmosphere is a lot nicer,' said Stafford, quarterback with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. 'It's a little more conducive for learning.

'It's a lot brighter in here,' Stafford said. 'I know it helps them out a lot.'

Frederick Bell, 11, was researching Hispanic-Americans for a school assignment, clicking and scrolling through Web pages and printing the ones he needed.

It wasn't that smooth before, Stafford said. The old computers were slow and sometimes locked up.

The mural depicts McDonald's fictional characters - Hamburglar is flying a kite, which is the center's symbol, and Ronald McDonald is reading a book to children. Ron Hutchinson, also known as Dr. Doodle, said he painted the mural in a week.

'Atmosphere has a lot to do on how you react to certain situations,' Stafford said. 'It is a fun atmosphere, yet it is a learning atmosphere for the kids.'

The center, founded 33 years ago, offers emotional, financial and educational support to children with cancer and blood disorders and their families.

Mary Ann Massolio, executive director of the nonprofit center, said the children miss a lot of school because of illness and fall behind academically. The library gives them a place to study class work and the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

'It will draw them in there a little bit more,' Massolio said of the improvements. 'Who wouldn't want to be in there? It is fun, colorful and friendly.'

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 835-2110 or jpatino@tampatrib.com.

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