For Immediate Release: November 7, 2006

Contact: Brian Reardon St. John's Children's Hospital 217-544-6464 ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org Nancy Zimmers SIU School of Medicine 217-545-3854 nzimmers@siumed.edu

Mascot Elected for St. John's Children's Hospital

SPRINGFIELD - C.J. and Joey, a pair of kangaroos, are the winners of St. John's Children's
Hospital's "Great Mascot Election."; C.J. and Joey will represent St. John's Children's Hospital
in various educational materials and in person at hospital special events and community events.

The new St. John's Children's Hospital mascots ran on a platform encouraging kids to jump
into action (exercise), eat vegetables, be safe when traveling and spend time together as a family.

More than 8,300 votes were submitted. C.J. and Joey received 77% of the votes tallied in their
race against Bernie the St. Bernard. Area children were invited to vote for their favorite candidate
for two weeks, either online or at weekend events at Zoolie Ghoulie at Henson Robinson Zoo
and Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Voting booths were provided by the Sangamon County Clerk's
Office.

C.J. and Joey were nominated by Joe Dobbins, a 5th grader at Dubois Elementary in Springfield.
Joe says he picked the name C.J. after learning St. John's Children's Hospital is located in the
Carol Jo Vecchie Women and Children's Center.

"Having a mascot to model healthy behaviors gives us another way to teach kids important health
and safety information,"; says Children's Hospital Executive Director Peggy Curtin. "These are skills
they can use for a lifetime."

St. John's Children's Hospital combines the faculty resources of SIU School of Medicine with the
pediatric facilities and services of St. John's Hospital. The mascot election occurs one year after
St. John's Children's Hospital was recognized by the National Association for Children's
Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI).
The Children's Hospital Web site is www.sjchildrens.org.

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