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!

CHRISTUS Children’s Selected Among Top Grant Recipients from The Toy Foundation

CHRISTUS Children’s is one of 20 children’s hospitals and health systems to receive funding for play projects that will improve the care and well-being of pediatric patients (APRIL 11, 2024 – SAN ANTONIO) – CHRISTUS Children’s is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of a $15,000 grant from The Toy Foundation’s (TTF) Children’s Hospital Play Grants program. The grant will expand sensory-friendly play opportunities for patients at CHRISTUS Children’s, particularly within its emergency services and behavioral health areas. The initiative aims to promote and support a calm and comforting hospital environment. Specialized toys designed for sensory engagement will be purchased and used by child life specialists at CHRISTUS Children’s to provide essential coping support. The sensory safety kits will be distributed to patients for use during their hospital stay, upon discharge, and at home. “Our child life specialists play such an important role in providing emotional and social support for patients at CHRISTUS Children’s,” said Terry Kyle, CEO of CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift from The Toy Foundation that will allow our specialists to continue their impactful work.” CHRISTUS Children’s is one of 20 children’s hospitals and health systems selected to receive a Children’s Hospital Play Grant. TTF is distributing $389,000 nationwide, marking a significant gesture expected to bring joy and support to approximately 240,000 children. Play is a powerful tool that can significantly improve the care, well-being, and health outcomes of pediatric patients. Hospitals are reliant on external funding or donations to provide this key aspect of the holistic pediatric care model, and TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program helps fill this need. Focused on supporting hospitals that serve under-resourced communities, where 50% or more of patients rely on Medicaid, the program has delivered the benefits of play to 360,000 children since 2021. “Play has a profound impact on a child’s healing journey, benefiting their physical, emotional, and educational well-being,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director at The Toy Foundation. “We are pleased to support CHRISTUS Children’s in providing the power of play to help their patients heal and thrive.” For more information about TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program and to see the full list of 2024 grant recipients, visit ToyFoundation.org. ### About CHRISTUS Children’s CHRISTUS Children’s became San Antonio’s first freestanding hospital solely dedicated to the care of children and expectant women. Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, CHRISTUS Children’s is part of CHRISTUS Health. Baylor College of Medicine, one of the top medical schools in the nation, is the academic partner of The Children’s Hospital with 180 pediatric specialists affiliated with Baylor. In addition, community physicians in private practice remain a valuable partner in the care of women and children in our community. We are a health care ministry that works to continually meet the needs of the community to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, following the values and mission of our sponsoring congregations: Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. About The Toy Foundation The Toy Foundation (TTF) is a 501 (c)(3) children’s charity and philanthropic arm of The Toy Association. The uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need, TTF works with small, medium, and large companies to create a world where every child experiences the comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits of play through three program areas – The Toy Bank, Play Grants, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Pipeline Program. Thanks to the toy industry’s support, TTF has delivered play to more than 31 million children in need around the world.

Board Member Thankful for Receiving Life-Changing Care

Board Member Thankful for Receiving Life-Changing Care

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