New license plate supports hospital

A new South Carolina license plate is available for supporters of the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital.

Today in the bright atrium of the Children's Hospital, 5-year-old Joey Benton of Summerville will introduce the plate featuring the hospital logo.

Joey has cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease of the lungs and pancreas that causes the lungs to fill with thick mucus. He has come to the children's hospital for treatment since 2005.

Caroline Benton, Joey's mother, said her son "loves the atrium and child-life activities. Even though he's young, he gets bored really fast. It's good to stay busy."

Volunteer Advisory Committee Chairman John Brisini worked for nearly two years to gain approval for the plate from the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. Money raised will benefit the volunteer program at the children's hospital, and will go to other clinical programs.

"Anyone can write a check, but to have a visual presence in the way of a license plate, I thought that was relatively unique," said Brisini, who has volunteered for about three years.

Brisini wanted to make sure the money goes where it is needed in the hospital, said Children's Hospital administrator John Sanders. The funds collected will be controlled by the Volunteer Advisory Committee and distributed to areas of the hospital through a grant application process, he said.

Of the $50 required to purchase the plate, $42 goes to MUSC Children's Hospital. Supporters can donate each year when they renew the use of the license plate along with their vehicle registration.