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SWBC Foundation Donates $2 Million to CHRISTUS Children’s to Create Endowed Chair

csfosa on January 21, 2015

SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 1, 2014) – The SWBC Foundation has demonstrated its support for CHRISTUS Children’s by donating a $2 million gift for the creation and appointment of an endowed chair, named for Gary Dudley and Charlie Amato, co-founders of SWBC. The Gary Dudley and Charlie Amato Endowed Chair in Pediatric Neurology is being awarded to Dr. Yu-tze Ng, who serves as the section chief of the pediatric neurology division at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio and professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. [md_button href=”http://childrenshospitalsafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/184869-454996.2014-pr-gift-announcement-swbc.pdf” color=”#ffffff” colorhover=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#009c34″ icon_fontawesome=”” icon_typicons=”” icon_entypo=”” icon_lineicons=”” class=”” id=”” css_animation_delay=”” target=”_blank” size=”large” style=”style-1″ icon_show=”” icon_family=”typicons” css_animation=””]Read More[/md_button]

Valero Energy Foundation & Klesse Foundation Donates $4 Million Combined

csfosa on January 21, 2015

SAN ANTONIO, TX (July 28, 2014) – Valero Energy Foundation and the Klesse Foundation have demonstrated their support for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio by donating a combined $4 million gift. The $3 million gift from the Valero Energy Foundation and the $1 million gift from the Klesse Foundation will be used for construction of the new Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, the first freestanding, non-profit hospital in San Antonio solely dedicated to the care of children. [md_button href=”http://childrenshospitalsafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/176720-310780.valero-klesse-gift.pdf” color=”#ffffff” colorhover=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#009c34″ icon_fontawesome=”” icon_typicons=”” icon_entypo=”” icon_lineicons=”” class=”” id=”” css_animation_delay=”” target=”_blank” size=”large” style=”style-1″ icon_show=”” icon_family=”typicons” css_animation=””]Read More[/md_button]

Children’s Hospital of San Antonio unveils ground breaking culinary health and education program

csfosa on January 21, 2015

SAN ANTONIO (June 4, 2014) — Healthy eating and nutrition are central to keeping children well, so with help from The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio (CIA), Goldsbury Foundation, and H-E-B, the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio unveiled today its pioneering new culinary health and education program aimed at reducing childhood obesity and improving access to nutritious food for patients of the Hospital and the community at large. [md_button href=”http://childrenshospitalsafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/168182-670629.chofsa-culinary-health.pdf” color=”#ffffff” colorhover=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#009c34″ icon_fontawesome=”” icon_typicons=”” icon_entypo=”” icon_lineicons=”” class=”” id=”” css_animation_delay=”” target=”_blank” size=”large” style=”style-1″ icon_show=”” icon_family=”typicons” css_animation=””]Read More[/md_button]

Harvey E. Najim and the Najim Family Foundation donates $3 million to Children’s Hospital of San Antonio

csfosa on January 21, 2015

SAN ANTONIO (July 1, 2013) — One of San Antonio’s philanthropic leaders, Harvey E. Najim and The Najim Family Foundation, demonstrated its support for the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio by donating $3 million, comprised of a personal gift from Najim as well a gift from The Najim Family Foundation. [md_button href=”http://childrenshospitalsafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/120885-660365.2013-pr-najim-gift-announcement.pdf” color=”#ffffff” colorhover=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#009c34″ icon_fontawesome=”” icon_typicons=”” icon_entypo=”” icon_lineicons=”” class=”green” id=”” css_animation_delay=”” target=”_blank” size=”large” style=”style-1″ icon_show=”” icon_family=”typicons” css_animation=””]Read More[/md_button]

You Don’t Prepare for Newborn Heart Surgery

csfosa on July 7, 1976

When Allison had her second child, she was expecting a normal, healthy baby. What she got was a miracle. The big day had come and Allison and her husband, Matt, traveled to a local hospital for her planned C-Section, eager to meet their new child. “We were so excited because we had planned everything ahead of time, and the only surprise we were expecting was the gender,” Allison says. “That’s when God stepped in and said, “You can’t plan everything.” “I Knew Something Was Really Wrong” Evan arrived a seemingly healthy baby boy — but within a few hours, Allison and Matt realized something wasn’t right. “Matt went to watch the nurses give Evan a bath, and he came back and said, “I don’t want to worry you, but his oxygen levels aren’t great,” Allison recalls. “He came back a second time and said a cardiologist was looking at Evan. The third time he came back, two doctors were with him. That’s when I knew something was really wrong.” Evan was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries. The hospital they had chosen for his birth wasn’t equipped to treat the defect, so Evan was transferred to CHRISTUS Children’s. “They actually came and transported Evan themselves, which I thought was incredible,” Allison says. “The transporters came into the room, and I immediately felt a sense of safety. They knew what they were doing and that everything was under control.” Coming to CHRISTUS Children’s When Allison and Matt arrived at CHRISTUS Children’s, they immediately noticed a difference. “I walked in the door, and they said, “You must be Evan’s mom. Let’s get you a wheelchair,” Allison says. They anticipated our every need. They even let us sleep in the intensive care unit where Evan was. They got us shampoo, towels, pillows, and blankets. The entire staff treated us like we were family.” Two days after Evan was born, Allison and Matt met with the surgeons who would be operating on Evan the following morning. They explained everything and answered all the questions. Allison and Matt also met with child life specialists at the Hospital, who shared information about developmental expectations and what life after surgery would be like. The next day, Allison watched in tears as her three-day-old boy entered the operating room. Then she waited. “I felt confident because I had seen specifically what would happen during the surgery,” Allison says. As a mother, that makes you feel good knowing – if your child is going to have surgery – you are getting the best doctors and the best care possible.” Four hours later, Evan’s heart was fixed. Today, Evan is a healthy, happy four-year-old. He has nothing to show for his dramatic first week of life, except a “cool” scar on his chest. Last spring, Evan’s cardiologist cleared him for all activities, and by the fall, Evan was running in San Antonio’s annual ING Kids Rock one-mile marathon.

A Wonderful Christmas Present

csfosa on July 7, 1976

In October 2012, Ray and Cyndi welcomed the birth of their third child and named her Mackenzie Rae. When Mackenzie was born, she was having trouble breathing and she was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CHRISTUS Children’s, where specialists told them that Mackenzie had a ten percent chance of surviving. “I’ll never forget that day. The staff was right there with us, and one nurse told us she’d never give up on Mackenzie. We trusted they were going to do everything possible to save our baby’s life,” shared Cyndi. Celebrating the Holiday at Home After nearly two months in the NICU, Mackenzie went home on Christmas Eve. “We put 100 percent of our faith in God and in the hospital staff,” said Cyndi. “We knew that Mackenzie would be okay.” Mackenzie continues to receive care at CHRISTUS Children’s. We are there for Mackenzie and for all the children in our community. We exist to serve you and your loved ones — to provide hope, healing and recovery.

It’s a Miracle Josh is Even Alive Today

csfosa on July 7, 1976

“It’s a miracle Josh is even alive today,” said Stefanie, Josh’s mother. “When we adopted him at four months old, he had never had any medical care and was facing several health issues. I still believe the way he came into our lives was divine intervention.” In May 2000, Stefanie sat in the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital emergency department waiting room, unaware that her life would change when a young mother entered with a small baby in a stroller. Josh was only four months old the first time he entered CHRISTUS Children’s, formerly CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. “Instant Connection” Stefanie and her husband, James, had just recently adopted their first child, one-year-old Olivia and were fostering another, four-month-old Chance. While in the waiting room, the young mother sat with Stefanie and shared her story. Without hesitation, Stefanie befriended the girl and helped her find a shelter. Several weeks after learning of the young mother’s inability to care for her child, Stefanie became aware of the opportunity to adopt Josh and they welcomed him into their home with open arms. “When I first saw him that day in the emergency room, I could tell he had some underlying issues, but then he looked up at me and smiled,” said Stefanie. “We had an instant connection and I didn’t know it at the moment, but my life was changed forever.” Severe Medical Challenges The day after his placement, Stefanie made arrangements at CHRISTUS Children’s to have Josh undergo a health assessment and started treatment right away. He was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, clubbed feet, caudal regression syndrome, sacral agenesis, neurogenic bladder and failure to thrive. With faith in their hearts, Stefanie took Josh to CHRISTUS Children’s once a week for two months to have his tiny casts removed, feet stretched and then recast to prepare him for a surgery that would be the most monumental in his life. In August 2000, Joshua endured an orthopedic surgery that would give him the possibility of walking someday. Josh is the “superstar” 7th grader that everyone knows and loves at La Vernia Junior High School. He played Little League baseball for many years and, not seeing his disability as a hindrance, joined the 7th grade football team. He runs, plays, and argues with his siblings. Josh has a love for the outdoors and is particularly interested in animals, bugs and other creatures. “Josh will have lifelong issues that he will have to manage on a daily basis. There are more surgeries in his future, but we have peace in knowing that our CHRISTUS Children’s family will be there to support and encourage us every step of the way,” Stefanie added. “The hospital’s Spina Bifida clinic has been a vital part of Josh overcoming and exceeding so many obstacles. They have been like a family to us, giving us hope, prayers, advice and guidance, and we are forever grateful.” “The Greatest Gift” Today, Josh is a happy and thriving 13 year old who has overcome and exceeded expectations physically, cognitively and emotionally. He is mobile in a wheelchair or on crutches and often crawls and climbs to play and interact with his peers. “God had truly given us the greatest gift,” said Stefanie. “Josh inspires so many because of the incredible humility, wit and humor he was able to carry on through this adversity.”

Marceline and Phoebe A.

csfosa on April 18, 2023

Marceline and Phoebe were born at 23-weeks-gestation at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels. The twins both weighed just a little over one pound each and were extremely frail. Marceline and Phoebe were immediately airlifted to CHRISTUS Children’s for further treatment and were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Upon arrival, doctors quickly got to work to care for these tiny girls. Phoebe underwent surgery right away to repair a small bowel perforation and continued to have surgeries on her GI tract. Marceline had extra blood flowing to her lungs and received surgery to close the artery as well as surgeries to correct cranial abnormalities. Today, Marceline and Phoebe are two fiery five-year-olds. 

Holly and Heather C.

csfosa on April 18, 2023

Holly and Heather were born severely premature, weighing just one pound, 10 ounces, and two pounds, respectively. The identical twins were rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at CHRISTUS Children’s and were fighting for their lives.

Holly has undergone eight resuscitations, 17 brain surgeries, two lung surgeries, two intestinal surgeries, three eye surgeries, one cranial reconstruction, and more. Thanks to generous supporters like you, the sisters beat all the odds and continue to grow stronger together.

Marc D.

csfosa on April 18, 2023

In October 2016, 18-year-old Marc had an infected hair follicle and his mom knew something was not right. After several tests and hospital visits, Marc was referred to specialists at CHRISTUS Children’s. Doctors performed a biopsy and learned Marc had Leukemia.

Marc underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, spinal taps, and radiation therapy over 3.5 years and completed his chemotherapy in January 2020. Marc tries to stay positive and plans to start sharing his story with the community with hopes of helping others in the fight against cancer.

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CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation exists to fund the health care, research and wellness programs that serve children and families in South Central Texas. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. ©2023 CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation