Double Your Gift to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation

Walmart and Sam’s Club Raise $403,000 for The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members recently wrapped up a six-week campaign to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) across the country. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio partnered with 57 locations across San Antonio, Victoria and Laredo and raised more than $403,000, helping provide inpatient visits for more than 10,000 children, 70,000 emergency department visits and more than 100,000 outpatients each year. Nationally, Walmart raised more than $40.2 million for 170 hospitals that make up Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The hospitals utilize the funds based on what they need the most – typically for purchasing lifesaving equipment, supporting top therapy programs and providing charitable care. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat 1 in 10 children across North America. “The funds raised from Walmart and Sam’s Club’s campaign will help fund medical care, research and education at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio,” said John E. Bel, president of The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation. “With the support of our community we are improving the lives of children treated at our hospital.” Walmart and Sam’s Club associates hosted a variety of fundraising activities such as hamburger, hot dog and popcorn sales, as well as “Dunk the Manager” dunking booths for donations that propelled giving totals to exceed previous years. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio will use the funds for construction and innovative programs. The retailer’s six-week campaign ran May 1 to June 13. Walmart and Sam’s Clubs 2014 fundraising efforts will continue throughout the year at participating locations through various in-store activities. For more information about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, visit: http://www.CMNHospitals.org. To make your donation in support of The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, visit http://www.ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org.

The Big Give S.A. : 24 Hours of Community Giving On May 6, 2014, San Antonio will come together for 24 hours of non-profit giving during the Big Give S.A. It’s San Antonio’s first ever giving day, and it’s your chance to make a real impact, as part of family and community. All you have to do is commit to donating to the The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation and the Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation on May 6 through the Big Give S.A, website: www.thebiggivesa.org , and you can help us become eligible for prize money and matching dollar opportunities. As the only non-profit health system in the community, we rely on philanthropic support to continue to meet the needs of those seeking medical care at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa facilities. The generous gifts we receive from our donors help us provide the highest level of care for our patients and their families. We live such busy lives that often times we forget important events. By signing up here http://eepurl.com/SOGDn, you will receive a one-time email reminder regarding your pledge and to make it count on May 6! You can also show your support now.

Board Member Thankful for Receiving Life-Changing Care With November right around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to kick off the season of giving thanks with a story about a former patient who is now an active member of The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation board. When Ned Hodge was leading the Alamo Heights Mules to a state tennis championship, his coach would joke that he was “pretty good for a preemie.”  But without the care he received in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, now The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Hodge says he never would have had a swinging chance. “We wouldn’t be talking.” In 1978, Hodge was born three months early, tiny enough to fit in the palm of his father’s hand.  He spent two and a half months in the NICU.  Thirty-four years later, Hodge gives back to the hospital that game him a start by serving on the board of The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation. “At the end of the day, it’s about people,” Hodge says.  “That’s what sets CHRISTUS apart.” You never know how the work you’re doing today will make a difference in someone’s life tomorrow.  We, at the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundations, are thankful for your support.  We are able to continue to help our hospitals provide the best possible care for our patients because of your generosity.  The donations we receive help fund a variety of patient health and wellness programs and cutting-edge medical technologies at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, as well as the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa adult hospitals. If you would like to make a donation in support of either of the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundations, visit us at SantaRosaFoundation.org or call our Foundation offices at (210) 704-2800. We want to connect with you! Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date about upcoming events and fundraisers benefiting both of our Foundations.  You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter…and don’t forget to follow our blog!

It Takes a Team Mark Gilger, M.D., pediatrician-in-chief, greets colleagues at a recent physician open house. “Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek The physical transformation of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is readily apparent. But behind the construction fence, changes to the team are even more profound. The partnership with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) is enabling powerful changes to people and programs that are already making a difference. “The depth of expertise and resources that are now available to our team is amazing,” said Trisha Montague, Chief Nursing Officer. “It’s opening the door to resources we never would have dreamed of having.” A significant part of the recruiting success is due to the contributions of the Pediatrician-in-Chief, Dr. Mark Gilger, a BCM pediatrician who joined the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio team some 10 months ago. Gilger has helped secure more than 60 of the 250 physicians the children’s hospital plans to recruit as part of its transformation. “His knowledge, his ability to interact with physicians and his talent to recruit outstanding physicians, is evidence of the strength of our partnership,” said Pat Carrier, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. “We are assembling a team with some of the best and brightest minds in pediatric medicine. This is allowing us to provide top-notch care for the children of San Antonio and South Texas – a level of care this area has never had before.” This is an exciting time for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio! We look forward to sharing more stories about the great things this transformation is doing for our community. If you would like to make a donation to help fund the miracles happening at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, visit us online at SantaRosaFoundation.org, or call our Foundation offices at (210) 704-2800. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do for our patients without the support of our community! For a full list of new physicians at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, click here.

Making a Difference, One Family at a Time: The Every Baby Matters Mission New Mom Amanda (left) undergoes an assessment by Michelle Bryant, RN, in the comfort of her home. Bringing a baby into the world is a joyous occasion, but can sometimes be a stressful time for new mothers. The Every Baby Matters Mission (EBMM) at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels (CSRH – NB) takes the care we provide within the hospital walls out into the community to ensure mothers and babies are healthy and happy. Serving nearly 400 patients annually, the EBMM aims to give parents the tools they need to allow babies to thrive in strong, healthy families.  The program gives new mothers the opportunity for in-home visits by a registered nurse following delivery. The nurse conducts medical assessments on both mother and baby in the comfort of their home, addresses any concerns or questions the mother may have, and provides educational information on maternal and child health issues and child development. Michelle Bryant, a registered nurse with more than 14 years of experience in mother-baby care, is currently the sole EBMM nurse at CSRH-NB, making home visits to families throughout New Braunfels and surrounding areas. “Having a new baby at home can be stressful – whether it’s the mother’s first or third child.  When mothers return home after giving birth, they may not always be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of illness, infections or feeding problems,” said Michelle. “It helps to have some assistance from a medical professional in the comfort of their home, especially if they have questions or concerns, or if a mother is feeling anxiety that can lead to postpartum depression.” The EBMM is a free service available to high-risk patients, ranging from teen mothers and mothers with pre-term babies to those with feeding or social issues. The McKenna Foundation recently presented a generous gift to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels with $25,000 earmarked for the Every Baby Matters Mission. The Friends of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Foundation has helped fund the EBMM through generous donations from the McKenna Foundation and the United Way of Comal County. For information about how you can contribute to the Friends Foundation’s efforts, call 210.704.2800, email SantaRosaFoundation@ChristusHealth.org or visit us online at FriendsFoundation.org.  

Calling on the Community At The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, we are compelled to end fragmented pediatric care in our community. We are inspired and intend to achieve Top Tier status, making us “the best place for the sickest children” and “the only place for every child.” Located downtown in the heart of San Antonio since 1959, The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio has always been the destination for children and families in need. We are currently undergoing a complete transformation of our hospital to include state-of-the-art critical care facilities, research space and family-centered amenities with a design focused on healing of bodies, minds and spirits. CHRISTUS Health is making a substantial financial commitment to the project. Beyond the $250 million in plant and facilities, CHRISTUS Health is investing $135 million for demolition and new construction. Philanthropy is essential to our creating a world class, top tier, children’s hospital for our community. The future of the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. In February 2013, the USAA Foundation announced a generous gift of $3 million to the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation.  Spurred by their strong commitment to improving the lives of those in our community, the USAA Foundation made this gift to ensure that the children and families of South Texas have access to world  class pediatric care. More recently, The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation announced a $20 million grant from Goldsbury Foundation in April 2013, the single largest gift to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa in its 144 year history. The gift will be used to help create an environment of healing and hope for children and their families, as well as support innovative, collaborative initiatives focused on health, wellness and community outreach at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. In July, Harvey E. Najim and the Najim Family Foundation donated $3 million to be used for construction;  the gifts will be recognized in KidsSTOP and the Child Life Center. Since the Children’s Hospital Foundation was established in 1955 to raise funds for the building of the children’s hospital, the board members have been steadfast in their commitment to generate the resources needed to support the life saving and health restoring care for children.  The impact of these beacon gifts is significant in helping us provide the best care for the children of San Antonio and South Texas.  We are so grateful to these community partners for their vision and their shared commitment to our children.

The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation is Finalist for LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation has been selected as a finalist to receive the Jeffrey Frank Wacks Music Therapy Program as part of the LIVESTRONG®Community Impact Project, which was created to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the U.S. Grantees will now be determined through a public, online voting campaign that began March 24 on vote.LIVESTRONG.org. After the voting period comes to a close, the 39 organizations with the top votes in seven geographical regions across the country will receive up to $15,600 to replicate and implement the program dedicated to supporting people living with cancer. The Jeffrey Frank Wacks Music Therapy Program has become an essential component of the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center’s integrative approach to caring for cancer patients. The program’s overarching goal is to facilitate relaxation, decrease anxiety and stress, enhance wellness, improve pain management, and provide comfort and support for cancer patients and their caregivers. Music therapy is proven to reduce stress and pain levels associated with illness and hospitalization. For many patients, the simple act of listening to music provides a therapeutic release, promoting healing and overall wellbeing. Clinical music therapy services are provided on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Two part-time music therapists conduct sessions with patients either at the bedside or in common (environmental) areas of the cancer center. The program has served 2,175 patients/caregivers and conducted 5,842 sessions. Voting ends at 5 p.m. CST on April 11. For more information about the LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project and to vote for The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Foundation, visit http://vote.livestrong.org/applicant/13-children’s/.