There are so many stories of successful treatment and recovery since Variety Children’s Hospital opened its doors in 1950. Founded ostensibly as a treatment center for victims of polio, the halls and walls of Miami Children's Hospital (MCH) have many stories to tell. From donors who have contributed to the largest pediatric cancer center in the United States, to donors who make it possible for LifeFlight helicopters to bring tiny patients to the hospital for immediate health care, or to take a triage team to the child in need - MCH is there for the children, thanks to our donors.
Donors come in all shapes and sizes, as do donations. The following profiles highlight just a few of our special donors who have supported MCHF through charitable giving to the programs and projects of MCH. The generosity of so many is greatly appreciated and will help to continue to make MCH one of the top 30 pediatric hospitals in the U.S. according to US News and World Report.
Individual Giving: Ben and Jordan Mollere
The Gift Of Life - A letter to the Miami Herald Editor*
On June 1, our son, Jordan, was diagnosed with a tumor. It was a unique growth, a sinister lesion, located in the pineal region, the very center of our 11-year-old son's brain. We set out to locate the very best surgeon -- anywhere -- to attack the tumor. Following lengthy and detailed consultations with the small circle of experts from across the country, it was right back in Miami, our home for 14 years, where we located the man to whom we are eternally indebted: Dr. John Ragheb at Miami Children's Hospital.
We had but one opportunity to succeed with this most delicate operation. We knew that Dr. Ragheb was extremely experienced and highly successful. After exhaustive research, he was the only person that we could see operating on our son. Our planning paid off, and our prayers were answered as the operation spanned 21 straight hours, with the meticulous Dr. Ragheb confidently in control.
We never will forget this gift of life that Ragheb has provided us. The greater Miami community is fortunate to have the vast resources and expertise of Miami Children's at its doorstep, but the same is true for so many others who are able to travel from around the world to find the best medical care.
Doctors report that Jordan is healing perfectly well, and that he is expected to make a full recovery. Especially during this Thanksgiving season, we are eternally grateful to our family, friends, Dr. Ragheb, Dr. Garrett Zoeller, Dr. Raphael Gonzalez, our advocate Dr. Michel Nahmad, the spectacular nursing team and the entire Miami Children's Hospital staff.
Although Jordan was robbed of his summer, Nov. 19 was a milestone as his treatment officially ended, and his plans are to make this ordeal a footnote to a long and healthy life. Today, he is home -- and a kid again.
BEN MOLLERE, Basalt, Colo.
*The Miami Herald, posted Thursday, November 26, 2009
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Corporate Giving: Blockbuster, Inc.
Mr. Scott Feise, Blockbuster, Inc - Coral Springs, and staff delivered DVD's, Popcorn and gifts to Miami Children's Hospital on July 22, 2009. The donations came from a campaign drive coordinated through all the stores in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties during the month of June and July 2009. This is one of many donations to come as we embrace Blockbuster, Inc. as part of the MCH Family. Thank you Blockbuster!
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Corporate Giving: Cartier – Latin America and Caribbean
Mention the name Cartier and everyone’s eyes sparkle with images of the most beautiful jewels in the world. But it’s more than the diamonds … it’s the classic and elegant designs all packaged in the trademark red box with gold embossed lettering; it’s the knowledge that everything with the Cartier name is of the highest quality; and, it is with great honor that generations proudly acknowledge their Cartier creations.
Imagine how honored Miami Children's Hospital Foundation is to have a special friendship with Cartier - Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year around the holiday season a very private, intimate event is hosted by Cartier for our special friends for the purpose of raising funds for the Children’s Cranio Facial Center at Miami Children's Hospital.
We extend our thanks to all our friends at Cartier - Latin America and the Caribbean for their generous support and look forward to a long and warm relationship.
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Grassroots Giving: Playroom Enhancement & The Frohlich Family
The Frohlich family was always grateful for the diagnosis and care that young Sam received at Miami Children's Hospital. Sam had been hospitalized in New York several times as a toddler but with no specific diagnosis. But when visiting his grandparents in Miami Sam became ill and was rushed to Miami Children's Hospital. Within hours Sam was diagnosed and treated by Dr. Felix Ramirez-Seijas. Now living in California he is a healthy and active 12 year old.
On visiting the hospital his aunt, Michelle Frohlich-Klinger, was struck with how some of the areas of the hospital looked uninviting to children and their families and approached the hospital about bringing a muralist to brighten the walls. She introduced Miami Children's Hospital to artist Carlos Augusto Pereira who was thrilled to be offered the hallway into the Main Playroom, the Playroom itself and the covered area outside the Playroom to transform into a child’s fantasy world.
Michelle quickly learned about raising funds from friends and family, succeeding beyond her wildest dreams, and finally in October 2008 the new “look” was unveiled to the Miami Children's Hospital family. Just seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, young and old, shows how wonderful our new Playroom looks.
Michelle, we thank you for your introduction to our “new look” and to raising the funds to make the transformation of the Playroom a reality.
The transformation of the Playroom was so successful that the funds from the 2008 Miami Children's Hospital Employee Campaign Drive coordinated by the Foundation, be directed to revitalizing another area of the hospital – the main lobby. What fun Artist Carlos Pereira had with the children stopping to help paint and squeal at the colorful little ants and lizards climbing the columns. He also painted a series of colored ribbons and coordinated animals as a “way finding” for a creative way to navigate the halls of the hospital. Carlos has now created another magnificent visual for everyone to enjoy.
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Corporate Giving: Johnson & Johnson
Proudly presented Miami Children's Hospital Foundation a check for $2,000 collected from their "Employees Wearing Jeans" campaign.
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Corporate Giving: Reliance Medical Wholesale
Reliance Medical Wholesale follows several intrinsic values which help define its approach to philanthropic work. These values include commitment, happiness, integrity and reliability. Moreover, through the inspiration of their own children, Joshua and Pamela Navarro, founders of Reliance Medical Wholesale, are firm believers that with good health comes happiness. They have been inspired by the excellent work of the Foundation and they are truly excited about the opportunity to help provide funding for the advancement of quality pediatric care and treatment.
Reliance Medical Wholesale was pleased to contribute $2,000 to the Miami Children's Hospital Foundation Community Council to support their Community Service Project. The Community Service Project provides gift cards and gift baskets that are distributed to needy families during many of the holidays throughout the year. “Miami Children’s Hospitals specialty programs are ranked among the best in the nation and it is impetrative that we support all of their programs and the families involved,” said Pamela Navarro, co-founder of Reliance Medical Wholesale. “We are truly fortunate to have a world class pediatric hospital available for the children in our community.”
Reliance Medical Wholesale is a specialty pharmaceutical distributor committed to providing Hospital and Infusion pharmacies with solutions to their supply chain needs. Reliance works with many of the nation's top manufacturers and wholesalers to acquire and distribute vaccines, plasma derivatives, biologicals, and supply sensitive pharmaceuticals to its customers. For more information, please visit www.reliancemw.com.
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In-Kind Giving: Carter's baby clothing helping babies and children
Through the generosity of Carter’s in Dolphin Mall many children will have a new outfit to wear. Ten boxes of clothes have been distributed by Miami Children's Hospital Patient Family Services staff to those many needy children who visit our hospital for special care.
Founded in 1865 Carter’s has been dressing generations of children from newborn to size 7. As the largest brand of baby and young children’s apparel, Carter’s is committed to supporting local charities and in particular those organizations whose missions are to promote the growth and general well being of children.
We are very grateful for this new partnership and look forward to working with Juan Carlos Acosta, Manager at Carter’s Dolphin Mall, to give their adorable clothes to our families.
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Corporate Giving: 5LINX® Enterprises, Inc.
5LINX®, ranking 11th in the
2008 INC 500 Top 100 Telecommunications Companies and achieving the INC
500 List in 2006, 2007 & 2008, is one of the country’s
fastest-growing telecommunications companies.
Founded in 2001 on the principles of Freedom, Integrity, Vision,
Opportunity and Success, 5LINX® holds Three National Training Events per
year for its Independent Marketing Representatives. At each National
Training Event, 5LINX® gathers donations from its Independent Marketing
Representatives for a Charitable Gift to a Children’s Organization in
the City in which the event is held.
At the 5LINX® National Training Event held January 15-18th 2009 in South
Beach, 5LINX® selected Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation as its
recipient based on its excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine.
“5LINX® has always had a charitable heart for children and there are
always children in need in the communities where we hold National
Training Events.” says Craig Jerabeck President and CEO of 5LINX®.
“5LINX® endeavors to provide support for the children in those
communities by selecting an organization that makes a positive impact on
the children in the area. With several specialty programs ranked among
the best in the nation in 2008 by US News & World Report, Miami
Children’s Hospital was both the logical and emotional choice.”
Following a presentation by Ann Lyons, Vice President of Programs and
Donor Relations for Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, donations were
taken and $5,000 was raised among the audience. 5LINX® matched the
$5,000 raised and a $10,000 check was presented to Ann on behalf of
Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation the next day.
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Corporate Giving: Publix
George Jenkins founded Publix with the spirit of giving in mind. He was once asked, "If you hadn't given away so much, how much do you think you would be worth today?" His response, without hesitation: "Probably nothing." That spirit of giving still remains. For over 78 years, Publix and its associates in over 1,000 stores have been actively involved in building up the communities of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. In fact Publix continues to support thousands of local charities simply because it is the right thing to do. The Children's Miracle Network is one of the organizations that has benefited from Publix's generosity.
Publix customers and associates raised over $1.1 million in 2008 for Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Locally, Publix stores in Miami-Dade, Broward & Monroe Counties raised $360,724 for Miami Children's Hospital. Publix customers and associates realize the importance of having a pediatric hospital like Miami Children's in their own backyard and support the program through the sale of "miracle" (paper) balloons with vendor coupons attached as well as participating in the “Produce for Kids” campaign. Publix finds great satisfaction in having the ability to make miracles happen for our critically ill and injured children and recognizes that this would not be possible without the tremendous support of customers and associates. Publix is extremely proud of their associates for their personal involvement in the communities they serve.
Publix hopes that their annual contributions to Children's Miracle Network and Miami Children's Hospital will not only improve the lives of children and families, but inspire others in the community to give.
For more information on Children's Miracle Network at Miami Children's Hospital Foundation, click here.
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Planned Giving: Anonymous
"The most wasted day of all is that which you have not laughed."
A cross-stitch message that hung under her grandfather’s breakfast clock was a glimpse into the personality of a very private woman, an adored wife and beloved sister. A professional woman who had seen what might be termed, by some, as faith-altering scenes as an Army Nurse during the Battle of the Bulge and succumbing to and surviving tuberculosis, she never lost her sense of faith in God or her belief in the goodness and kindness in the world.
A native of Bloomington, MN, she and her husband of 41 years eventually settled permanently in South Florida and began a close personal and professional relationship with a prominent local attorney Eugene Sulzberger. It was through Eugene that the couple came to know Miami Children’s Hospital and its Foundation and it was he who suggested that they might wish to remember the Foundation in their estate plans, and they did.
"They were a remarkable couple, completely and totally in love," remembers Eric Sulzberger, who joined his father in the friendship that had started many years before, "and she was resolved that her wealth go to institutions that could best utilize and benefit from her and her husbands good fortunes, and Dad’s suggestion of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation seemed to fit her exacting desires. Ambassador David M. Walters, the Founder of Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, also played a key role with regard to this generous donation."
Thanks to the original suggestion of Mr. Sulzberger senior and the continuing friendship of he and son Eric, upon the death of this very strong willed and private woman, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation received a gift of $2.7 million dollars.
To view the press release for this gift, click here.
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Grassroots Giving: THE BARFLY WHIFFLE BALL CLASSIC
The Barfly Whiffle Ball Classic is now in its 10th year. Our mission statement is to create a one-of-a-kind event that brings families together with the goal of raising funds and toys for Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.
This event started in December 2000 as a small get-together of friends and families, a whiffle ball game, and barbeque that evolved into an extremely unique charity-driven event. Our audience is young professionals primarily between the ages of 21-50 years of age accompanied by their families. Today we offer an array of entertainment value, including a live music, clowns, ponies, slides, bounce houses, rock climbing wall, Billy the Marlin, and more. The Barfly Whiffle Ball Classic is a hugely anticipated private event and is now attended by more than 400 people annually.
This is truly an event where our community of friends, families, and sponsors come together to support a great charity, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.
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Grassroots Giving: Aflac Holiday Duck 
Aflac is pleased that the Holiday Duck program has helped raise nearly $2 million for institutions like Miami Children’s Hospital nationwide since 2001. We are proud of our commitment to defeating pediatric cancer, and prouder still that this cause is embraced by the entire Aflac family. To date, more than 100,000 Holiday Ducks have been sold with all proceeds going to local hospitals.
Founded as a family business, Aflac is motivated by a strong sense of corporate citizenship and a desire to support worthy causes. What better way to convey a sense of family than by decking Aflac’s iconic mascot in holiday garb and making it available to the public to help children fight cancer. Today, the Aflac Duck is not only a star of television commercials, but a symbol of hope.
This year Aflac was pleased to present to the Miami Children’s Hospital more than $5,500 raised through local sales of the 2008 Holiday Duck. We hope to exceed that figure for 2009 -- because the research is working. Recent figures from the American Cancer Institute show the five-year survival rate for childhood cancer at nearly 80 percent, compared to less than 50 percent in the 1970’s.
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Grassroots Giving: Aventura Mall
This year marks 25 years of giving for Aventura Mall, one of the nation’s most celebrated shopping centers. Aventura Mall has had a long standing philanthropic tradition of helping serve the needs of countless organizations in the South Florida community as well as national organizations. The Mall’s goal is simple – giving from the heart to those who need it most - a strong belief that will be carried on for future generations.
Aventura Mall is the epicenter of the community. From hosting charitable events such as walk-a-thons and other important community related activities, Aventura Mall takes on a key role in giving back to South Florida. Some of the causes close to the Mall’s heart are the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation who receives donations from coins tossed in the mall’s fountain. Each year Aventura Mall actively participates in collecting back-to-school and holiday gifts for the Children’s Home Society and Salvation Army. Some of the other ways that Aventura Mall is committed to helping the lives of others include blood drives and adopt-a-pet fairs held at the mall. Through bake sales with Share Our Strength, fund-raising luncheons with the Honey Shine Mentoring Program and granting wishes for children with life threatening diseases with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Aventura Mall has established a reputation for giving back to the community that will carry them not only through the next 25 years but beyond.
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Tribute Giving: Allison Leigh Pritchett Endowment Fund
Beth and Erick Pritchett first became aware of Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) when their 10-week old daughter, Allison, was admitted on Christmas Day, 2006, with a fever and low blood counts. Allison was diagnosed with a genetic blood disorder and the only hope for a cure was chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. She spent the next 5 months in the care of the experts at MCH, but died from complications of the bone marrow transplant on May 20, 2007.
Even after this tragedy, the Pritchett’s connection to MCH was strong and they wanted to find a way for something positive to come out of their experience. "During the five months we spent at the Hospital with Allison, it truly became our second home and the staff became our friends. We wanted to find a way to give something back and help other families," said Erick Pritchett.
Working with the director of the bone marrow transplant program, they arrived at the idea of providing funding for families of children undergoing transplants to stay at the Devonshire Apartments free of charge, removing a financial burden, as well as providing a more comfortable place to stay than in their child’s room. In order to achieve this, they agreed to fund an endowment over 5 years. After the endowment is funded, it will provide enough income to provide housing for families in perpetuity. In the meantime, the donations that have been received in Allison’s memory will be used to fund the housing.
Today, the Pritchetts continue to be involved at MCH as members of the Family Advisory Council and have volunteered at the annual MCH cancer camp. They also are the proud parents of a son, born in March, 2008 and are expecting a daughter. "We’re glad that we can play a small part in helping MCH continue its mission to deliver excellent family-directed healthcare to children in our community and beyond."
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