CHILDREN OF THE HUDSON VALLEY TO GAIN IMPROVED
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

HUDSON VALLEY/Jan. 16 - On February 14th, Grammy Award Winner Melissa
Manchester and comedienne Susie Essman will perform at a benefit concert at
SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center. The Valentine's Day Concert is being
presented by The Children's Dream Foundation and CIGNA HealthCare. The
proceeds will be used to improve regional emergency medical (EMSC) services
for children throughout Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange,
Sullivan and Ulster counties.

The Children's Dream Foundation (CDF), a not-for-profit corporation, expects
the concert to raise more than a quarter of a million dollars. A major focus
for the CDF is to ensure that 30 hospitals throughout the Hudson Valley have
pediatric emergency medical equipment as well as up-to-date training so that
children receive the highest quality treatment in the event of a medical
emergency.

In 1992 a group of concerned parents met to discuss their personal experiences
with health care services provided to their children at the area's hospitals.
Their stories highlighted the dramatic inconsistencies in the quality and
delivery of children's health care. They decided to join forces to make a
difference and founded the CDF. "The organization's mission is to ensure that
consistent high quality pediatric health care is readily available to all
children in the hospitals and medical centers of the Hudson Valley," stated
Scott Yablon, president of The Children's Dream Foundation.

"Most parents assume that all hospitals have the proper size equipment and
medical experience to deal with their child's emergency. Unfortunately this is
not always the case. For example the availability of a pediatric sized oxygen
mask can mean the difference between immediate relief and pro-longed distress
for a child suffering from an asthmatic attack," explained Yablon. He added
that the CDF would also be involved in funding supplementary pediatric medical
training for EMS staff and ambulance corps throughout the Hudson Valley.

In addition, as a result of its continuing dialogue with the region's many
hospitals, medical professionals, schools, and parents, The Children's Dream
Foundation will continue to respond to requests for resources for the most
urgently needed children's programs, services and equipment.

A few of the CDF's accomplishments to date include establishing a video EEG
Dream Room at Saint Agnes Hospital, providing specialized pediatric emergency
equipment for United Hospital, purchasing state-of-the-art neonatal intensive
care equipment for Sound Shore Medical Center and furnishing and equipping a
number of medical suites in the new Thomas and Agnes Carvel Foundation
Children's Rehabilitation Center.

Last year the Foundation raised $150,000 at a performance by Gregory Hines
that was attended by more than 800 people. This year they expect a capacity
crowd of 1,300. Many of the area's corporations are supporting The Children's
Dream Foundation's efforts including American Power Conversion Inc., Compaq,
ComStock-A Division of McGraw Hill, ENTEX Information Services, Inc., Hewlett
Packard, IBM, Lexmark International Inc., Mack Goldner Foundation, MIM
Corporation, NEC Technologies, Procom Technologies Inc. and Sbarro's.

The concert will take place on February 14 at 8:00 PM at the Performing Arts
Center at SUNY Purchase College. Tickets are $150 for the VIP package, which
includes pre-concert champagne buffet dinner and post-concert Valentine
Dessert Extravaganza. Seats are also available for $25 and $50. For
reservations call the SUNY Box Office at 914-251-6200.