The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood team on Sept. 16 presented Banner Children’s at Desert, 1400 S. Dobson Road in Mesa, with a $7,500 check as part of its Iced Coffee Day Campaign.

On May 25, $1 from every iced coffee purchased at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide supported the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s mission to bring joy to kids battling illness, according to a release.

Thanks to the generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees across the country, 100 percent of the funds raised were granted locally to children’s hospitals in their respective communities.

Banner will use the grant money to support its Celebration of Champions Fund. The Celebration of Champions Fund was created to honor the courage, determination, and resilience of children hospitalized at Banner Children’s at Desert.

Banner Children’s at Desert is one of 85 children’s hospitals and medical centers awarded grants stemming from Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation this year, to support initiatives that help bring joy to patients. Throughout the country, grant funding will help enhance child life programming spanning from art, music and integrated therapy programs, including yoga and reiki, to electronic gaming equipment and specialized summer camps that provide joyful experiences and environments for patients and their families.

Grant money will also help Child Life teams at Banner Children’s at Desert create a positive experience for hospitalized children, their parents and siblings. The grant helps make it possible for Child Life Specialists to reduce stress and anxiety through play, pre-operative teaching, and even distraction and coping techniques.

For information on Banner Children’s at Desert, which used to be called Cardon Children’s Medical Center, go to bannerhealth.com/locations/mesa/banner-childrens-at-desert.