Children’s Health has had more fantastic superheroes/heroines than a convention of Marvel Comic characters lately. Just last month the Children’s Dream Team (Troy Aikman, Clayton Kershaw, Dirk Nowitzki and Jordan Spieth) joined forces to promote the Children’s story. And last Thursday, a heap of Super Heroes in red capes were floating around Children’s Health’s Plano and Dallas campuses. But unbeknownst to the world were the Campaign Champs wearing greenback capes. They are the folks who have already signed on board to support the Children’s Medical Center Foundation‘s mega-campaign — ER Reimagination — to expand North Texas’ only Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center.
There is hardly a family that hasn’t turned to Children’s ER when dire needs arise for their munchkins. Like a lighthouse in a blustering storm, Children’s has been the gleaming source of care and hope for a child who is the victim of an incredible traumatic episode by way of accident or abuse, thanks to dedicated professionals ready to care for their physical and emotional needs. But with the growing population and advancements in technology, Children’s undertook a multi-year plan for a two-story ER including the following:
- Phase 1 that was just completed last month includes the new ER entrance, modernized and refreshed space to improve the patient experience and a completely redesigned family waiting room.
- Phase 2, slated for completion in 2020, will add patient rooms designed with patient safety and privacy features, as well as state-of-the art technology to handle more complex care cases.
- Phase 3, scheduled for completion in 2021, will include an updated ER interior with enhanced overall design and appearance, new specialty exams rooms and improved technology and patient amenities.
One thing that will stay the same will be the staff, whose primary concern are their young patients and their families.
Providing the lead gift was the Shelby family, who has a deep understanding and appreciation for CMC. In addition to Shelby patriarch Pat Shelby “previously serving on the CMC Dallas hospital board and the Campaign Leadership Council for the Plano hospital capital campaign,” Pat’s daughter-in-law Mollie Shelby “is currently serving in a committee leadership role for the Women’s Auxiliary to CMC Dallas.” The Shelbys’ recent gift was made to support Children’s continuing mission while honoring the late Lloyd Randall Shelby Jr. It was on April 5, 2016, that the brown-haired nine-year-old, who “was an angel from God from the day he was born,” passed away from a sudden cerebral hemorrhage at CMC.
Already, 70 donors have joined the Shelbys including the following people and groups that contributed $1M+:
- The Carpenter Family — The Carpenter Family has supported Children’s since 1961.
- Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians Inc. — The physicians at Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians (DSOP) have a long-standing professional relationship with Children’s, referring patients and working in partnership with their own practices to serve the medical needs of the community. Led by board members Chairman Dr. Joseph L. LaManna III, Dr. Frank O. Cundari and Dr. Daniel Metzger, the DSOP team has provided significant support of the new ER project based on their experiences with Children’s and appreciation for the quality breadth and depth of ER services.”
- The Hartland & Mackie Family Foundation
- Hoblitzelle Foundation — Hoblitzelle Foundation’s lifetime giving history to Children’s Health of $6.5M has been enhanced by most recently committing $1.5M to the ER renovation and modernization project at CMC Dallas.
- Jordan Family Foundation — During their 66-year marriage, the late Louise and Edwin Jordan were known for their longtime commitment to Children’s. Ed served on the Children’s hospital board for many years and Louise volunteered for “over 20 years weekly at the Children’s Medical Center gift shop.” Their legacy of giving and volunteering is being carried on in their children like their daughter Anne Logan, who has “served in many roles with the Children’s Medical Center Foundation.”
- Katy and Kyle Miller — Like many, Katy and Kyle Miller’s children “have been cared for at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.” In addition to Katy and Kyle’s co-chairing the fundraising efforts for the new ER with Diane and John Scovell, the Millers are on the board of the CMC Foundation, where Katy is also a member of the Foundation’s Executive Committee.
- Mrs. and Mrs. John F. Scovell — Like the Jordan family, Diane and John Scovell are second-generation Children’s supporters. John’s mother, the late Mary Dupree Scovell, was a “faithful volunteer at Children’s for many years when [John] was young.” In turn, Diane has been involved with the Women’s Auxiliary and John has served a decade on the CMC Foundation Board of Directors and on the Children’s Health Services of Texas board. In addition to creating an endowment honoring Mary, the Scovells are supporting the ER expansion with a “wonderful gift,” as well as “sharing their time and talent as co-chairs of the ER fundraising initiative along with Katy and Kyle Miller.”
John and Diane Scovell (File photo) - Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas —Since 1962 the Women’s Auxiliary has “proudly served alongside Children’s to support patients and their families.” In addition to volunteering at the hospital, the committee members have raised more than $22M over the years thanks to such undertakings as “Breakfast with Santa Spectacular, Family Night at Six Flags, Sundaes on Sunday at American Girl, Boo Yard Sign Challenge, Change for Children’s and the holiday and all-occasion card programs.”
So far, $17M has been raised toward the $30M goal. In the days, weeks and months ahead, hopefully these angels of giving will be joined by others who know that Children’s is a turning point in a child’s and family’s life.
To join the Campaign Champs, it’s simple. Just click here! And you don’t have to be a millionaire to donate.
* Graphic courtesy of Children's Medical Center Foundation