Supporter Stories

Meet the young fundraisers making a difference for kids

After surviving life-threatening complications as a newborn, Clark inspired his grandparents to establish the first endowment dedicated to NICU research at Children's Health.

After Children's Health helped save their son's life, Josie and Carl Sewell established a Distinguished Master Physician Endowment in Pediatric Cardiology to support future generations of children with heart conditions.

A retired Children's Health nurse transformed decades of caring for one family into an endowment that will advance heart transplant research for generations to come.

Lynn Drawbridge lends her time and treasure for over a decade to make life better for children.

Volunteer Mark Oristano is the first to tell you he’s ‘not medical.’ But he’s essential.

A former patient, longtime employee and dedicated donor, Kelly is ensuring future generations of children receive the same exceptional care he did.

Arriving in Texas with just a suitcase, Rose Anne found a community at Children's Health that helped shape her career, grow her family and inspire her commitment to future generations of patients.

From advancing technology behind the scenes to creating a lasting legacy through her estate plans, Shana Berger is committed to making life better for children for generations.

Nearly two decades after starting her journey at Children’s Health, Mayra Garcia is shaping the future of care for generations of kids to come.

With deep roots in Dallas, the Hillcrest Foundation builds on its legacy with a landmark gift for the future of pediatric care.

For cybersecurity company Trend Micro, global citizenship — the idea that individuals should contribute to the broader community — and philanthropy are part of the company's culture.

Why a waste management company is investing in the future of pediatric health care.

The Miller family’s journey with Children’s Health inspired them to give back, helping build a new, world-class pediatric hospital in Dallas.

Children’s Health is proud to announce the appointment of Dai Chung, M.D., Chief Medical Executive at Children’s Health and Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern, as the first holder of the Dr. George W. Dorman Master Physician in Pediatric Surgery, thanks to an endowment established by an anonymous family.

Decades after Children’s Health saved her son’s life, OriAnn Phillips never forgot the life-saving care Kace received. Her planned gift now honors his life and makes the impossible possible for the next generation of kids.

For over 30 years, Dallas Cowboys legend Troy Aikman has been an advocate for pediatric health care in North Texas – because the fight for kids against illness and disease is more than a game.  

The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association is a group of attorneys who advocate for the DFW Metroplex Hispanic community by working to make the legal system more accessible – and by supporting world-class pediatric care at Children’s Health.

For the former Children’s Health patient, this starts with telling her story and including the hospital in her will while a young adult.

The Senior Director of Social Work at Children’s Health, Ben Retta commits to a lasting legacy, making life better for kids through the Bradford Legacy Society.

Jordan and Annie Spieth Honor Childhood Friends with $250,000 Endowment for Pediatric Cancer Research at Children’s Health℠

After their daughter was born with a congenital heart defect, Alice and Kevin Chou established endowments and made a pledge to support the future of Children’s Health.

Children’s Health leaders invest in the hospital system’s growth and hope their pledges will inspire others to join them.

Longtime Dallas residents, Helen and John Carona have watched the city grow. Now, they want to help build the future for children with a $5 million pledge to the new Dallas pediatric campus.

“A lot of people my age are not thinking about wills or life insurance, but I live with the thought that today could be my last and where would I want the funds to go?” Sierra said.

Children’s Health is proud to announce the appointment of Dai Chung, M.D., Chief Medical Executive at Children’s Health and Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern, as the first holder of the Dr. George W. Dorman Master Physician in Pediatric Surgery, thanks to an endowment established by an anonymous family.

For decades, Wendell Muhammad has kept Children’s Health safe—and as a proud supporter, he gives back, knowing every contribution helps make a difference for patients.

Meet Ashleigh Panelli: one of the longest-giving employee donors to Children’s Health

Sara and facility service dog Atticus' work brings smiles to patient faces and helps their healing, so setting up a recurring payroll deduction to give back was an easy decision.

Jennifer Roady has made a career out of making the hospital less intimidating to kids and families. And she knows the work is more important now than ever as the health care needs of kids in North Texas are growing.

Inspired by her family’s roots in health care, Fatima Villarreal grew a summer internship into a career that shows how every role — and every gift — strengthens Children’s Health^SM and makes the impossible possible for kids and families.  

Scheri Sims chose to share her talent with Children’s Health^SM. For more than two decades, she’s also shared her treasure to support its growth.

Harnessing the power of community, research coordinator Shahenaaz turns milestones into fundraisers that support Children’s Health and its patients.

A volunteer for three decades, Wanda is leaving a legacy to impact patients at Children’s Health long after her volunteer service.

A long-time supporter of Children’s Health and former nurse at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Nancy Long has had a dedicated history with the institution as the daughter of the former president of Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

The Pogue Family quietly supported Children's Health for decades. Now, the family has committed a historic $100 million to the new Dallas pediatric campus.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $3 million to Children’s Health physicians spearheading innovative cancer research initiatives.

For more than 20 years, Temple Shalom has hosted “Fore the Kids,” an annual charity golf tournament. Golf activities fill the day that's dedicated to Children's Health.

“Our family feels that in supporting pediatric health, we’re supporting our community,” Natalie said. “We love raising our kids here and having Children’s Health available to every family is a real strength for our community.”

Broadcasting at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Armando welcomes grateful patient families to share their stories with his Chiquilin Todas Las Mañanas audience.

A consistent annual donor for more than two decades, he also has made several legacy gifts. In 2022, he established a matching gift to encourage others to make recurring monthly donations to Children’s Health.

The Watsons established an endowment that will be used to attract, recruit and retain highly qualified physicians and allow them to pursue professional development and research.

Kylie and James Martin utilized their wedding as an opportunity to start an endowment for Children's Health - asking for donations in lieu of gifts to start their marriage.

Decades-long supporters of Children’s Health, Amy Korenvaes and her family have committed to help kids through our biggest project yet: the new pediatric campus in Dallas

As she exits her 10-year career at Children's Health, Phyllis Gilchrist's parting gift is a legacy donation that will continue to give back to the hospital long after her last day.

Two decades ago, Joyce and Denny Houlihan planted their legacy in a building a couple miles from the Dallas North Tollway in Collin County.

The Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance (BHIG) initiative trains pediatricians to better identify and address mental health problems before they become a crisis.

Marriott’s giving through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has supported Children’s Health in countless ways, raising nearly $2 million dollars.

This spring, the Sanfords established a $100,000 endowment named Ceci’s Fund for Clinical Research to distribute annual funds to support clinical research and honor their daughter.

Gamers are making life better for children by fundraising for Children’s Health patients and even donating kid-friendly games to patient families.

Couple establishes endowments to support research, child life, saying an investment in kids ‘comes back to you tenfold.’

Meet the team of heroes that cared for Children's Health patient Charley during her two kidney transplants.

From the moment he greets his patients when they arrive for the doctor's appointment, Dr. Rodriguez-Baez's positive energy and sense of humor are indisputably contagious.

For the last year, this powerful duo has been at the helm of a first-of-its-kind initiative to train North Texas pediatricians to identify and treat mild to moderate mental health concerns before they escalate.

Meet our 2023 Red Balloon League, a collection of employees, patients, families and supporters of Children's Health, unifying to make the impossible possible.

During more than 50 years of volunteering, Ernie and Janice combined for more than 26,000 hours of service at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Meet our 2022 Red Balloon League, a collection of employees, patients, families and supporters of Children's Health, unifying to make the impossible possible.

In 2021, North Texas retailers such as Ace Hardware collectively raised $145,079 for Children’s Health.

We tracked down 13 team members, whose faces represent the web of support surrounding two brothers with cystic fibrosis at Children’s Health.

Meet our 2021 Red Balloon League, a collection of employees, patients, families and supporters of Children's Health, unifying to make the impossible possible.

Meet our 2021 Magic Makers, a collection of employees and supporters of Children's Health, bringing magic to patients and families.

We tracked down 10 team members whose faces represent the web of support that surrounds one heart transplant patient’s journey at Children’s Health.

Dr. Andrew Koh is studying how the gut microbiome impacts the immune system of cancer and stem cell transplant patients so he can develop new therapies to help his patients.

Fully funded by Children's Medical Center Foundation, the pet therapy dog program brings joy and comfort to patients at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

In their own words and through their own lens, workers at Children’s Health describe what life now looks like in the face of a global pandemic.

Ryan, manager of pastoral care at Children's Health, say its the holistic care offered to patients and their families that drives his giving.

Most mornings, you will find Terry Pate, Maintenance Mechanic, Engineering, cleaning a fountain in a secluded courtyard at Children’s Medical Center Dallas – regardless of the weather forecast.

Hoping to raise at least $2,000 to support the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, where she works as a research coordinator, Shahenaaz Sunderji simply asked for help.

'We’re more like sisters’: More than two decades of volunteering turned these strangers into best friends

“When God doesn’t give you children, he gives you the opportunities to help other children,” Arlton said.

After beating breast cancer two decades ago, Lori finds countless ways to give back to patients dealing with the stress and anxiety she's all too familiar with.

Christian works behind the scenes at Children's Health, supporting children through technology and fundraising to send them to summer camp.

Through his work at the Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders, Dr. Andy is helping make life better for children.

Nancy and her team members have thousands of opportunities each year to support children and their families on some of the hardest days of their life.