Letter writer: Rethink the Krispy Kreme Challenge children’s hospital name

Graphic by Lori Deaton

As a high school student and a youth staff member of Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!), I find it discouraging to see that a hospital is going to take the name of an unhealthy food company. We shouldn’t have to live in a society where companies that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle are advertised and promoted in places of health.

Recently, UNC has made the decision to name its new children’s hospital “Krispy Kreme Challenge Children’s Specialty Clinic.” As a center that promotes health and well-being among children, having an unhealthy food company’s name on the clinic is ironic and goes against its goal of health. Young children take cues from their surroundings, and if they see a clinic with this name they may think that doughnuts are healthy.

In a state where childhood obesity rates are over 15 percent, we should not encourage an increase by naming a hospital after an unhealthy food. This is a very generous donation, and I am in no way saying that the hospital should not accept the money; however, the UNC hospital system would serve the community better with a name that does not have to do with an unhealthy lifestyle.

Changing the name to reflect the group that raised the funds would allow the UNC hospital system to remain a high-quality health system. While it is a generous donation to the UNC hospital, it would be better to reflect the group making the donation rather than the method of fundraising. The Park Scholars should be rewarded for their efforts through the naming of the hospital.

If you agree, I encourage you to sign this petition (https://www.change.org/p/urge-unc-not-to-put-krispy-kreme-name-on-kids-healthcare-facility) and write to the head of development, Leslie Nelson, at leslie_nelson@med.unc.edu

— Carmen Procida
Asheville

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5 thoughts on “Letter writer: Rethink the Krispy Kreme Challenge children’s hospital name

  1. andrew young

    There is zero evidence that doughnuts, in moderation, are harmful to anyone’s health.

  2. gail

    Oh, get off your holier than thou high horse. If they made the donation – they deserve the credit. If people want to eat a doughnut now and then it is no body’s business but their own. I am tired of society dictating what I should be thinking, what I should be doing, what I should be eating or what I should believe. Everything in moderation including exercise and selective foods.

  3. bsummers

    Mama always told me, ‘If your cream is crispy, it’s time to throw it out.”

  4. Stewart

    It is great to see a high school student write such a thoughtful and articulate letter. Don’t let the rude and negative comments get to you. You hit a nerve, and are right on target. If Krispy Kreme donuts has their name on a hospital, what’s next, the Marlboro Lung Cancer Center? Hey, by the logic above, if they make the donation, they deserve the credit. Who cares what message it sends, and who dies as a result?

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