VIEW POINT
O
ur journey began the afternoon Matt and I read the Cardinal Glennon mission statement: “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.” Those simple, yet powerful words, prompted us to schedule a visit to the hospital a few weeks later. It was a visit that touched our hearts and inspired us to get involved. It’s hard to explain, but when walking the halls of this pediatric medical center, you feel the difference. No matter where we visited, we met amazing people who obviously loved the Lord. They work every day amidst disease, illness and injury, yet shine their light brightly into those children’s darkness. They really do “reveal the healing presence of God” through compassionate care and spirit-led skills. We were hooked! We wanted to do and learn more about this faith-filled mission. Shortly after that visit, I was blessed with the opportunity to join the Board of Governors. This devoted team of community leaders makes a huge difference in pediatric medicine, one amazing project at a time. Together, this Board creates amazing fundraisers and reaches out to build community awareness and support for everything Cardinal Glennon needs to deliver world-class health care to children. I'm grateful to be a part of a group doing so much good work. I will not be just a name on that Board list. Matt and I will do what we can to advance the mission of Cardinal Glennon. We were excited to work with the Foundation staff to create Homers for Health and are very proud to have helped launch this amazing communitywide program. Thanks to the donors, the St. Louis Cardinals and several corporate partners, we’ve witnessed great success in the first year! It’s exciting to incorporate our passion for the children and families at Cardinal Glennon with Matt's job. I know that Matt, David Freese and their teammates love that every home run makes a significant difference in the lives of these kids. They are thrilled that so many Cardinals fans stepped up to the plate with us in this effort and made pledges. Our experience thus far with Cardinal Glennon has forever changed my life. I’ve seen children and families face adversity with amazing courage and unshakable faith. While we lift them up in prayer, they lift us up with their resilience and strength. These kids and parents teach us how precious life is and why we should celebrate every moment God gives us! I'm humbled to join such an incredible hospital filled with so many faithful people. We pray that our journey with Cardinal Glennon will last for decades.
“Matt and I will do what we can to advance the mission of Cardinal Glennon.”
Leslee Holliday, Board of Governors
12 Volume 30, Number 2 Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation BOARD OF GOVERNORS Most Reverand Robert J. Carlson Thomas E. Hilton Chairman of the Board President James G. Brennan Craig E. LaBarge First Vice President Second Vice President James G. Castellano Allen D. Allred Chairman Finance Secretary Dan Buck June L. Pickett Executive Director Assistant Secretary James G. Koman Chairman Investment Subcommittee Lynn Beall Donna Beck Smith Dana M. Beffa J. Michael Bruno Julian L. Carr Jr. Molly N. Cline, PhD Gerald B. Cohn Bob Costas Jaqueline B. Danis Darryl W. Davis Dan Dierdorf John F. Eilermann Douglas Fabick Walter J. Galvin Dennis G. Gipson Mark J. Guyol Sherlyn Hailstone John F. Hefele Michael H. Heinz Edward T. Hempstead Edward D. Higgins Leslee Holliday Chris Howard Dennis J. Jacknewitz
Marie Jacobs Nancy Koplar John C. Kueneke Marian V. Mehan Robert M. Merenda Thomas M. Noonan Dennis O'Connor David Peacock Christopher R. Pronger Jeffry N. Quinn Jerry E. Ritter Sr. Mary Jean Ryan, FSM Jack Schreiber Thom Sehnert Bryan M. Swift William P. Thompson James F. Whalen Robert J. Witterschein Jim Woodcock Chris Zuckerman EX-OFFICIO John Appelbaum Brian Behrens Cindy Brooks
36 Contents FEATURES
12 14
Maggie is Back in the Game Maggie Bohannan and Matt Holliday form a special bond
Homers for Health
32 14 DEPARTMENTS
2 AROUND GLENNON
Find out the latest news
6 GLENNON GATHERINGS Pictures from recent events
Matt Holliday leads Homers for Health with David Freese
11 CORPORATE CORNER
22
St Louis Sports Hall of Fame
40 PARTNERS in PARENTING
24
Giving Back
30
Glennon Sunday
32 36
Partnership with SSM Cardinal Glennon
2012 Ambassador’s Choice Awards
A call to parish speakers
Can Anyone Please Help A lifesaving mission
He’s a Sweetie Pie A star is born at exactly 27 weeks
Dierbergs
Missouri Poison Center
42 GLENNON KIDS The Night of a Lifetime page 42 Never Say Never page 44
GLENNON FRIENDS
47 OUR FRIENDS
watch here
Lou Mund
48 GIFTS RECEIVED
Listings of our supporters
ON THE COVER Matt Holliday and Maggie Bohannan team up to get her back in the game.
LOOK FOR THESE
LOOK FOR ME!
Watch as our stories come to life through video.
The Art of Being the Towel Man
T
o St. Louis Blues Hockey fans, he’s a Scottrade Center mainstay. Blues fans from the last two decades know his history dates back to the Checkerdome! The Blues score, you hear the blast, and…wait for it…the Towel Man bounds down the steps,
frantically waving a towel in the air. He pumps his fist as the crowd screams, “One!;” after a second goal, a double fist pump in the air, “One! Two!” After each goal, the prize — the towel goes sailing into the crowd, and some lucky fan takes home a souvenir. You may know the Towel Man, but do you really know the Towel Man? He has a real name, a family and a profession other than enthusiastic goal counter. Since 1990, commercial artist Ron Baechle of Ron Baechle Advertising has been the St. Louis Blues Towel Man, but at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, he’s fondly known as the Rally Squirrel Artist. In the heat of the October 2011 Rally Squirrel madness, Baechle created the Rally Squirrel logo for Rally’s charity apparel for the medical center. Along with that Rally’s cartoon figuration from concept to personality-filled final product that graced many of the Foundation’s marketing materials. Most recently, he created the powerhouse Homers for Health logo on display throughout St. Louis all season long!
Thanks, Ron, for the time and talent you give SSM Cardinal Glennon!
Knights of Columbus Developmental Center “OUR LOVE FOR KIDS KEEPS ON GROWING” ou see them every Columbus Day on street corners giving out their Tootsie Rolls for every donation. What you don’t see, are the thousands of lives that are being profoundly touched by the dedication of those Knights wearing the yellow vests! The demand for early autism diagnosis and effective intervention programs in recent years has been overwhelming at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. However,
Y
thanks to generous support of the Knights of Columbus at the local, state and national levels, along with significant gifts from the Children’s Miracle Network and the Glennon Guild, a new 11,000 square-foot Knights of Columbus Developmental Center is being built. The second floor of the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation building (3800 Park Avenue) will become the largest center for Autism in eastern Missouri, with spacious, playful waiting areas, larger exam and observation rooms for Higgins the therapy dog, various art and music treatments and a wide-range of new therapeutic programs. The new center is scheduled to be completed by April of 2013.
RALLY SQUIRREL –
ON WHEELS! Y
ou may have seen them around the hospital, but you have to be quick to grab one! The Foundation staff is testing two brand new wagons, emblazoned with Rally Squirrel’s toothgrinned face! With a start of two, visitors are clamoring to test drive the new wagons, complete with an IV pole attachment and lots of room inside to relax before a doctor appointment! Ten more are soon to be in production, so we will have plenty to go around for all.
Dan Shassere, Roya Bromell and Mike Roberts
Fifth Annual St. Louis Legacy Awards
O
n Thursday, June 28, Roya Bromell, Director of Donor Development received the Nonprofit Award from the St. Louis Planned Giving Council at the Fifth Annual Saint Louis Legacy Awards. The Nonprofit Award recognizes the staff of a nonprofit organization for excellence in its planned giving program. The award is designed to inspire best practices in planned giving. Roya works with individuals from all around the United States in planning their futures, including naming SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in their wills. If you would like to learn more about planned giving and our charitable gift annuity program, contact Roya at the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation at 314.577.6626. Plan for your future, while investing in helping sick and injured kids. See the video
ST. LOUIS LEGACY AWARDS
But what makes the wagons even more special is the inscription on the back “Powered by the Spirit of Msgr. Lou Meyer.” Monsignor Louis F. Meyer, a member of the Board of Governors and a leader of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center since its formation, died on May 14, 2011, at age 92 following a heart attack. The cost of the wagons was funded by the Msgr. Meyer Fund named in his honor. Msgr. Meyer is surely smiling down upon us as he watches the kid’s faces light up as Rally rolls them around the hospital — powered by his spirit of course!
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 3
LOOKIN’ GOOD: PRETTY BABY First-Floor Lobby
F
2012 T
or 32 years the Ballwin Days “Pretty Baby Contest” has raised funds for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. This year’s winners are:
Lillian, first place
Liam David, second place
Keller, third place
Griffin, fourth place
hanks to the success of the Rally Squirrel Playground fundraising, parents and visitors to the first-floor lobby waiting area are sitting pretty! The new seating area, adjacent to the playground, is updated and beautifully decorated to provide a comfortable and convenient gathering spot for families and friends. We are grateful to the many Rally Squirrel supporters who funded the playground and this comfy place to rest and relax!
SMALL,
But Mighty Thankful
T
here’s hardly a more precious sight than the teeniest of hats on the tiniest of newborn heads. Thanks to volunteer Dee Rosenthal, babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) receive a lovingly created, hand-knitted hat for extra warmth and comfort. In the name of these tiniest patients, we are enormously grateful for your dedication and service, Dee!
dedication
Celebrities
Giving Back
“Doctor” David Freese visiting Vivien Kozeny at the medical center in April.
S Above: St. Louis Cardinals players Lance Lynn and Chris Carpenter visiting Quenton in the hospital. Right: Carly Patterson, singer and former Olympian (2004 AllAround Gold Medalist), visits with Austin and the other children while in St. Louis with the Olympic Trials in June 2012. Below: Katie Kearney, Miss Missouri 2012, joins members of the LPGA who came to visit patients at the medical center in August.
SM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is fortunate: many individuals are eager to lend a hand and take the time to make the days a little brighter for our patients, courageously working toward recovery from their illnesses or injuries. And nothing makes a child’s face light up more than seeing a favorite hometown sports celebrity walk in their hospital room, when they are in our care. Imagine this, you’re a kid recovering from heart surgery. Your doctor walks in to examine you and pretends to look perplexed. “I might need to get a second opinion,” said Ken Schowengerdt, MD, Medical Director of the Dorothy and Larry Dallas Heart Center, to 7-year-old heart patient Vivien Kozeny. Before Vivien could respond, in walks the second opinion... “Dr. Freese” complete with white lab coat! That’s right, Homers for Health co-chair David Freese made a surprise visit to Vivien in April, as she recovered from heart surgery. Vivien says Freese is taller and smells nice in person.“I was embarrassed because he came and he’s like my favorite player,” says Kozeny. Surrounded by her family, Vivien chatted with David about typical, everyday stuff, taking her mind off her medical treatments. “She was born with a large hole in her heart, it’s called atrial septal defect,’ says mom Shannon Kozeny. “We tried to work several years with different medications to see if it would close on its own, and it didn’t, so we had a patch put in.” Upon leaving, Freese recommended ‘just what the doctor ordered’— autographed baseballs and an autographed jersey! “Hearing about her I was more than happy to come up here and say hi,” said Freese. “You get put on a platform a little bit and this allows you to do things like this and just hanging out with these kids, it’s pretty cool,” he continued. Vivien checked out a few days later, taking with her all of her goodies, and best of all, a memory of a lifetime. glennon.org Fall 2012 • 5
GLENNON GATHERINGS
Bob Costas Benefit 2012 April 21, 2012 Fox Theatre, St. Louis, Mo. Raised $857,130 for the Bob Costas Cancer Center at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
Above: Lindsey Meglio, Bob Costas Left: Kevin Costner, Bob Costas, Dana Carvey EVENT SPONSORS:
Marilyn Doyle, Sue Cannella, Laurie and Tom Welch
Patrick Sly and Bob Witterschein
Connie McDermott with John and Susan Dendrinellis
Kevin Kissling, Tracy Kissling, Bob Costas, Julie Poelker and Al Poelker
6 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
2012 Costas Committee
Scott and Trish Hartwig, Jill Witterschein and Peggy Sly
PRESENTED BY:
Scoops of
FUN! AT T H E M A G I C H O U S E
July 28, 2012 The Magic House Children’s Museum St. Louis, Mo.
Raised: $26,383 for the Children’s Fund at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Spotlight
THANKS! Thanks to the Development Board for their
continuous support of our events and programs.
Matt Fagan and Brian Behrens
T
he Development Board is made up of professionals from our community who strive to support our many events and causes. They are intricately involved with the planning and development of the Columbia Golf Classic, First Gift Golf Classic, Scoops of Fun, Bob Costas Horizon Event and community involvement with Homers for Health.
Brian Behrens – President Mike Sluhan – President elect Mack Bradley Anthony Caleca Matt Carr Hannah Castellano
Jenna Petroff and son
Jan Donovan Rob Eilermann Matt Fagan Michael Garner Elizabeth Grana Marcy Handlan James Heffner Phillip Lee
Mark Livingston Libby Nolan Lucas Maxwell Stephanie Moll Cindy Oleshak – Underwood Mike Paterson Jenna Petroff
Mike Sluhan and Jan Donavan
Kevin Rejent Fred Sauer Chad Silker Tracey Swabby Stephanie Winkler Dr. Chris Wolken Steve Wynd
Mark Livingston
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 7
GLENNON GATHERINGS
1ST ANNUAL
Ambassador’s Choice Awards Glennon Sunday, June 3, 2012 The Living World at the St. Louis Zoo Grateful families honoring their doctors, nurses and caregivers.
Above: Glennon Ambassador Coordinator Laura Wulf and Sr. Judy Carron, RSM Left: Giving thanks before dinner
Brooke and Matt Seymour
Bill McDermott
Enjoying the welcome reception
Albert Johnson and Irisa Gay
Matt Lunneen and fiancé, Abby MacDonald
Dr. Craig Belsha
8 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Elizabeth Vasel sings for the crowd.
EVENT SPONSORS:
September 7, 2012 Columbia Golf Club Columbia, Ill.
Raised: $75,319 for the Children’s Fund at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Dave Gavlick, Rick Buettner and Patrick Geraty
Jonathan Charpentier, Mark Bussen and Bill Hawn
Rob Eilermann, Gary Meyer, Lou Mund and John Hefele
Mike Davison and Dave Knobbe
Jeff Todt, Jeff Schindler and Randy Matthews Scott Givins, Sarah Chiodini and Tom Hilton
Damon and Michelle Harbison
Mathew’s Kitchen on Hampton Avenue
Mathew’s Kitchen August 12, 2012 Mathew’s Kitchen St. Louis, Mo.
The Glennon Guild, along with Chef Mathew Unger raised $5,600 for the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon. Chef Unger wanted to give back to thank the medical center for taking excellent care of his son Eddie
Susan Brooker and Cindy Brooks
Kallie, Chef Mathew, Kelly and patient Eddie Unger
Geoff Kohl, Chef Joe Mueller and Alexandra Grupie – Ladue Racquet Club
Joanne Noyes, Maggie Bick, Kathy Tychsen, Kelly Bick, Jim Bick Jr. and Dr. Blake Noyes
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 9
NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS
Nov. 16 – Dec. 31 Open 7 Nights A Week 5-9 p.m. FREE ADMISSION Over one million lights, electro-art displays and life-size biblical statues • Camel and Donkey Rides • Carriage Rides • Christmas Tree Display • Children’s Village • Laser Show
• Choir Performances • Gift Shop & Book Store • Restaurant • Hotel
and much more!
314-241-3400 or WayofLights.org
Donations accepted – supporting two Catholic missions coming together this Christmas season! 4 4 2 S . D E M A Z E N O D D R . B E L L E V I L L E , I L 6 2 2 2 3 • 6 1 8 . 3 9 7 . 6 7 0 0 • 8 0 0 . 6 8 2 . 2 8 7 9 • WAY O F L I G H T S . O R G
PRESENTED BY:
CORPORATE CORNER
Dierbergs Markets HIT A HOME RUN FOR KIDS T o generations of St. Louis-area kids, Dierbergs Markets have been as much a part of growing up as baseball, frozen custard and the zoo.
The markets’ roots date to 1854. The Dierberg family has owned the business since 1914 and operates 24 markets with nearly 4,000 employees. Today’s children are learning the benefits of healthy nutrition and fitness with the help of Dierbergs, which sponsors Homers for Health. With encouragement from St. Louis Cardinals sluggers Matt Holliday and David Freese, fans visiting their Dierbergs Market can make a pledge to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for every home run hit by a Cardinal during 2012. Proceeds support the mission of the medical center, including educational and wellness activities. One component
is Dierbergs Strong Bodies, a weekly segment aired during the Cardinals Kids TV show on Fox Sports Midwest. “A volunteer inquiry to Cardinal Glennon by one of our associates resulted in an opportunity for Dierbergs to get involved in Homers for Health,” says Laura Dierberg Padousis, vice president and secretary of the company. “We had been practicing wellness initiatives for a long time, so we jumped in. What started as a fund-raising activity became a synergistic relationship promoting kids’ health.” Dierbergs launched its wellness programs nearly three decades ago. Its newest store in Des Peres contains a Culinary Events Center for programs hosted by staff nutritionists and registered dietitians. The Dierbergs Wellness Team offers tips on access to wholesome foods, easilyunderstood nutrition information and expert advice on healthy, sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle changes. In 2007 Dierbergs launched an annual fall campaign, Kids BEE Healthy, that tackles childhood obesity by emphasizing healthy foods and active lifestyles. Dierbergs’ friendship with SSM Cardinal Glennon has led to collaborations between hospital dietitians and the markets’ nutritionists. The Dierbergs Everybody Cooks magazine has published healthy snack suggestions written by Matt Holliday’s wife, Leslee.
“With our teams working together, we can do even more to promote health in the young people of our region,” Padousis says.
THE FAMILY CONNECTION The Dierbergs and SSM Cardinal Glennon families were linked by a personal volunteer inquiry from Todd Vasel, a Dierbergs employee. Susan Vasel has been
“With our teams working together, we can do even more to promote health in the young people of our region”
Laura Dierberg Padousis and Greg Dierberg at Des Peres grand opening
a nurse in Cardinal Glennon’s Dana Brown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 26 years. Husband Todd is Dierbergs’ assistant director of marketing and advertising. In the summer of 2011 their daughter, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. The likely treatment would be metal prosthetics replacing parts of a hip and thigh bone. Her doctors in the Bob Costas Cancer Center continued their research, however, and determined that her bone might be carrying an even rarer mass, a non-cancerous aneurysmal bone cyst. A surgical biopsy verified this diagnosis and permitted the removal of the cyst. Elizabeth recovered without more radical – and life-altering – surgery. She returned to the Costas Center last summer – to serve as a volunteer. “Her situation was quite unusual, even for the doctors charged with her care,” her father says. “The care we received was nothing less than extraordinary.”
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 11
Maggie
BACK IN THE GAME
y all accounts, Maggie Bohannan is a team player. Whether she is on the softball field, as middle child (and only girl) of the fiveperson St. Paul, Mo., Bohannan Family, and active youth group member at her family church, the 12-year old knows what it takes to work as a team. However, Maggie is also a leader. She’s a leader on her softball team, not just because she’s the catcher, because she knows and loves the game. Right now, Maggie is courageously leading her fight against lymphoblastic T-cell leukemia. And, by all accounts, she’s winning. Maggie has not only a wonderful, supportive family, but an amazing team of health care professionals backing up that fight and, according to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center pediatric hematologist/oncologist Chris Hugge, MD, she is doing well. Dr. Hugge, who is also assistant professor of pediatrics at
B
12 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Saint Louis University, says, “We’re treating her outpatient right now and the goal is to keep her out of the hospital as much as possible from this point on.” Although she hadn’t been feeling well for a few weeks late last fall, Maggie’s diagnosis in early December 2011 took the family by surprise. A visit to her pediatrician brought testing, and more testing. Six days, an admission to the
hospital and an MRI later, the doctors diagnosed Maggie’s leukemia. “The doctor, my husband and I all sat on the bed with her. We told her she had cancer, and we all cried,” Maggie’s mother, Karyn, says. A few days later, Karyn recalls Maggie’s dad, Bob, asking, “‘Can you fix her?’ And, they said, ‘Yes.’ And, guess what? That’s what is happening here at Cardinal Glennon,” she says. From that point forward the Bohannans have been optimistic, facing challenges and always looking for the silver lining in each dark cloud. Karyn says the consistent silver lining throughout is the support they have received from the SSM Cardinal Glennon staff. “We could not ask for more wonderful doctors, nurses and support staff,” she says. “It feels like family — friendly faces all over. You feel at home, you feel welcome.” Matt Holliday visits Maggie in the hospital last winter.
Maggie and Dr. Chris Hugge in the Bob Costas Cancer Center
F
rom Maggie’s perspective, the absolute, no-doubt, best silver lining of all is the friendship she has with Homers for Health co-chair and Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday, his wife, Leslee, and three children. Smiling as she recalls their first meeting during her initial admission, Maggie says the visit was a complete surprise to her and that Matt was just “pretty normal and not ‘all-aboutme.’ He was actually pretty shy.” Maggie holds near and dear to her heart the gifts Matt brought her that first visit: a NOOK® e-reader from the Holliday family and donated items including an autographed bat and softball attire from Louisville Slugger, and an Aéropostale teddy bear. What Maggie and her family
Bob, Karyn, Nick, Nolan and Maggie Bohannan
“We could not ask for more wonderful doctors...” value most, however, are the ongoing friendship and continuing support that the Holliday family has provided throughout Maggie’s illness. “We are avid Cardinals fans, so it’s such a joy working with Matt and Leslee Holliday. They are just sweet, wonderful, caring, kind people. They care, they check on Maggie all the time, and they pray for her. It’s a sweet, special relationship that Maggie has with Matt,” Karyn says. Maggie’s softball team, the St. Louis Slam, with Matt Holliday at the Homers for Health telethon.
Given Maggie’s love for baseball and softball, it’s another silver lining that the timing of her treatment and hospitalizations have corresponded with the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Homers
percent of diagnoses are the T-cell variety that Maggie has. “T-cell leukemia has always been considered high risk and is treated very aggressively,” Dr. Hugge explains. During her initial 15-day inpatient treatment, steroids eliminated the masses in Maggie’s chest and cleared the bone marrow of leukemia. Since that time, she has experienced challenges for which she has had to look to her many sources of support and search hard for those silver linings.
“...It’s a sweet, special relationship that Maggie has with Matt...” for Health program, making her a natural for involvement in the season-long promotion. Although she was not well enough to participate in the Homers for Health telethon activities, Maggie’s doctor allowed her to close out that day by attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Rally Squirrel outdoor playground. Maggie watched as Matt cut the ribbon before several hundred fans, including her St. Louis Slam softball team. When asked to name her favorite Cardinals player, Maggie diplomatically identifies Matt Holliday and David Freese. “Matt and David Freese,” she emphasizes. Dr. Hugge feels that the support Maggie gets from family, friends and such high-profile athletes contributes to her strength and the progress she’s making. Although lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, only 10
Although the struggles have been many, Karyn is quick to mention the good that has come from Maggie’s illness. “There are so many blessings. It has brought our family closer, our neighbors, and the support has been incredible. People want to be better people because they see how strong she is,” Karyn says. There are a lot of teams — the Bohannan Family, SSM Cardinal Glennon caregivers, St. Louis Slam, St. Louis Cardinals, First Baptist Church Lake St. Louis and countless prayer warriors — working to get Maggie back in watch here the game. Maggie hopes to resume school sometime in the fall, and softball practice in the winter, and with her progress, that’s looking promising. “She’s been fighting since day one. MAGGIE Oh, yeah, she’ll be playing softball BOHANNAN again,” Dr. Hugge says.
Teaming up for Kids! Maybe it’s something about the names. Perhaps it’s the way each organization sets standards for excellence. The connections are many, and the mission is the same: doing their very best for St. Louis. Like a match made in heaven, two peas in a pod, like mustard on a hot dog, Cardinal Glennon and the Cardinals were made for each other. And, when they team up great things happen. This year’s event started brewing in Jupiter, Fla., during Cardinals spring training. Following a game against the New York Mets, Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday and third baseman David Freese stepped out of the dugout and up to the microphone at a special press conference announcing the start of Homers for Health, a home run pledge program designed to help Cardinal Glennon kids get “back
14 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
in the game.”
Homers for Health Pledge Map GB
Homers for what? n case you haven’t heard, Homers for Health is a season-long fundraising program allowing Cardinals fans to celebrate their home team’s powerhouse hitting and make a difference for Cardinal Glennon kids. Thanks to our partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals, helping our kids is quick, simple and fun! This year, fans made a one-time pledge for each home run the Cardinals hit during 2012 regular season play. Think about it — everyone loves the thrill of a home run! It starts with the crack of the bat connecting with the perfect pitch; the batter glances up, a slow smile spreading across his face; the ball climbing higher…up…up…over the wall and into the crowd. Fans erupt into an ecstatic roar, high-fives all around, fireworks light the sky, and the stadium signage flashes: HOMERS FOR HEALTH — Make your pledge at glennon.org! What a perfect moment of celebrating the Cardinals and Cardinal Glennon kids!
I
How exactly does this work? Easy. Fans pledge online or pick up a pledge form at any Dierbergs store. Then, pledge either $.25, $.50, $1 or more for each home run, and make the donation in two installments: the first, based on the home run tally when regular play stops for the All-Star Game, and the second, at the end of the regular season. Just for signing up, fans receive a Homers for
See the video
HOMERS FOR HEALTH PRESS CONFERENCE
David Freese and Matt Holliday at the March 26 Homers for Health press conference in Jupiter, Fla.
Poland
China
Australia
Homers for Health — An International Success! Health window cling and an official Rally Tally Scorecard to keep track of the Cardinals’ home runs. A $.50 pledge per homer gets fans an autographed photo of co-chairs Matt Holliday and David Freese! St. Louisans have always had a special place in their hearts for the allstars at Cardinal Glennon, the patients doing their best to get back in the game, expertly guided by premier health care specialists. Add in the program’s co-chairs Matt Holliday and David Freese and Homers for Health just found a way to make home runs even better! With both Holliday and Freese representing the National League in the 2012 All-Star game, fans rallied once again to support the kids of SSM Cardinal Glennon for the second half of the season.
Thank you, St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals fans and all who made Homers for Health a hit for the kids at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The Cardinals hit the homers, but you helped get kids back in the game. Stay tuned for 2013 Homers for Health at glennon.org
Thanks to our sponsors We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!
Presented by:
Powered by:
Grand Slam:
Maciek, Witek and Wojtek Wieclaw showing their support all the way from Gdynia, Poland.
On Deck:
Thanks to the far-reaching radio waves of longtime broadcast supporter KMOX Radio, pledges were coming in from across the U.S. (35 states plus the District of Columbia). The 2012 program had gone intercontinental, with pledges from Australia, England, China and Poland! Oh, yes. Cardinals Nation responded in the inaugural year in a big way. glennon.org Fall 2012 • 15
Homers for Health Activities
Let’s Get This Party Started! At the official Homers for Health kick-off, FOX 2 morning show telethon host Tim Ezell was up to his usual entertainment escapades including his “Trapezoid” game show spoof with contestant Matt Holliday. After batting a thousand in that contest, Holliday challenged O’Fallon, Mo., St. Louis Slam softball team members to an impromptu wiffle ball home run derby. St. Louis Slam catcher Maggie Bohannan (quite a noteworthy hitter) was unavailable to assist her team but will be ready for next year! Maggie is an SSM Cardinal Glennon patient currently battling leukemia (see story on pg. 12). Never one to miss an
Top: Margie Ellisor, Matt Holliday and Tim Ezell Above: Matt Holliday and Rally Squirrel show off their custom Louisville Sluggers.
opportunity to show off his baseball know-how and celebrity status, Rally Squirrel took a turn at bat with his very own, custom-designed, Louisville Slugger bat, carved from a log and wood-burned with his signature! With such energy-sapping activity, Rally needed time out for a nibble and reminded telethon callers, Cardinals’ fans and Cardinal Glennon supporters just how much St. Louisans love their specialty foods — especially his new favorite, Home Run Bars. Homers for Health supporter Holly Cunningham of Hollyberry Catering created the nutritious snack bar made of oats, cranberries and dark chocolate specifically for the program, with all net proceeds going to Homers for Health. 16 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
L
The Big Kick-off ike preseason play, Homers for Health was ready to take St. Louis by storm. What better time (the day before the April 13 home opener), what better place (just below the brand-new outdoor playground at the medical center), and what better kick-off emcee (FOX2 morning show anchor and feature reporter Tim Ezell) to host the Homers for Health telethon. Starting at 5 a.m., early-bird Ezell managed a fun-filled, star-studded event interviewing volunteers, patients, celebrities and supporters. For nearly 18 hours, phones were staffed with volunteers like Miss Missouri Katie Kearney, Rally Squirrel artist and St. Louis Blues “Towel Man” Ron Baechle, Glennon Ambassador families and staff who took phone calls, pledges and enjoyed the day’s events. Calls came in to not only pledge money but to offer support and share stories of Cardinal Glennon’s own home run heroes. Kudos came from avid Cards fans and from author Kent Stock who donated $1 per sale Kent Stock donated for “Heading for $1 per sale of his book Home,” the true “Heading for Home.” story that inspired the 2007 baseball film, “The Final Season.” Like the wave at Busch Stadium, word of the program made the rounds and, by the season opener, Cards fans and Cardinal Glennon supporters were doing what they do best…supporting their teams. Volunteers staff phones at the Homers for Health telethon.
Many veteran Cardinals and Cardinal Glennon supporters readily recall the incredible magic of Rally Squirrel’s charity apparel fundraiser in the 2011 postseason play-offs and championship series. What started as a squirrel’s game-changing scamper onto the field turned into thousands of fans rallying to support the Cardinals and Cardinal Glennon. Those magic moments, along with Rally’s holiday cards, raised more than $500,000 to fund the cost of the playground. As the Cardinals relaxed in the offseason and Rally did his best to hibernate, architects at Christner Inc. were busy designing a dream come true. Over the winter, construction crews worked to transform the open patio area above the Bob Costas Cancer Center into an amazing outdoor playground. Cardinal Glennon friend and benefactor Robert P. Bruns had a long-time dream of a place where patients could immerse themselves in the magic of imaginative and physical play. His vision along with Rally’s charity efforts had made that dream a reality. Just when it seemed the Homers for Health celebration couldn’t get any better, the A-Team stepped up to the plate for the playground ribbon-cutting ceremony. Matt Holliday and wife Leslee, medical center President Sherlyn Hailstone, Board of Governors President Tom Hilton, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Executive Director Dan Buck, former President of Anheuser Busch Dave Peacock — and, of course, Rally scan and see Squirrel —took up their scissors and ceremoniously opened the 2,000-square foot playground, much to the delight and cheering of several hundred patients, doctors, nurses, TELETHON PLAYGROUND OPENING caregivers and supporters.
Play Ball! Golf and Climb ...
,
IN THE NEW RALLY SQUIRREL PLAYGROUND
I
f you were a child patient, what activity would you miss most when hospitalized? Most miss simple back-yard fun — running, making noise, climbing and just being a kid. Now, there’s a whole lot of playing going on in that new playground, all because of the thousands of Cardinals fans who went wild over the trading cards, T-shirts and squirrel-tail baseball hats that supported the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon. With Rally’s “Joy to the Squirreled” Christmas card sales completing the funding needed for the playground, it was time to finalize those blueprints!
Kids can keep being kids — playing and having fun. Before long, innovative architects at Christner Inc. (who graciously donated a portion of the firm’s design and construction administration services) had designed a creative, well-researched playground, suiting Rally to a T! Taking full advantage of a mild winter, the medical center surged full-force into this dream come true. As the construction neared completion, Kirberg Roofing generously donated a crane to lift the Rally Squirrel tree house to its place of honor in the playground. In addition to the tree house, the playground features a variety of activities, including putting greens, swing chairs, climbing walls, a music area and Rally baseball.
It’s official — play ball!
Lauren Lee, Dave Peacock, Leslee Holliday, Matt Holliday, Dan Buck, Rally Squirrel and Sherlyn Hailstone cut the ribbon to the new playground.
One Magical Mystery Tour Ice cream, ice cream, we all scream for... Matt Holliday and David Freese! St. Simon the Apostle parish is a long-time supporter of SSM Cardinal Glennon. It just so happens that eighth grader Travis Nixon has a patient history with the medical center, after his family survived a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Travis required several surgeries over the years and treatments for two broken legs. He is now a healthy and happy kid, playing sports with his teammates. Enter the Mystery Trip — The kids thought the May 22 stop at Forest Park was simply one of several stops on the annual mystery trip outing, where the destinations are kept secret. On the way to the park, their parents and driver told them they were going to take an ice cream break and breathe in the fresh air of the beautiful spring day. Little did they know they were going to be getting more than just another vanilla frozen custard!
Above: Eighth graders waiting to meet the sluggers Left: Travis Nixon being interviewed by KPLR 11’s Patrick Clark.
Picture this: The big red mystery bus pulls up...The kids see a field filled with hundreds of people, including cameramen from Fox 2 News... Girls start screaming...Over what? Surely not ice cream...Right outside the bus window, Matt Holliday and David Freese getting out of their cars. The kids rushed off the bus with disbelief and excitement, some girls in tears as they approached the handsome sluggers. They jumped in for a quick class photo with Matt and David (which is now proudly hung on many bedroom walls!), then hung out on the field as they cheered Travis on as he took his turn in the batter’s box with David Freese. They finally got their ice cream, but most importantly, they got braggin’ rights for the best eighth-grade mystery trip in town! A memory they will be sure to never forget! 18 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
C
Kids Helping Kids losing out the successful telethon and celebration, fans looked forward to tallying home runs for the season, starting off with some good ole wiffle ball. The only thing St. Louisans might love as much as the annual Cardinals home opener is a home run derby! And, what better sponsor than the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, which donated 60 bats (autographed by Matt Holliday) for raffles and 150 home run derby wiffle ball kits for participating schools! The inaugural event was designed to promote team spirit, generate support for Homers for Health and foster a home
Home Run Derby Champs take a swing in Forest Park
Homers for Health school activities raised an incredible $28,874.94! opener spirit of service — kids helping kids. St. Louis area elementary and middle schools hosted fundraising activities for students like dress-down days, Matt Holliday autographed bat raffles or a home run derby competition for which they made a small, entry-fee donation to Homers for Health. Students from 51 schools in the St. Louis area who participated in Homers for Health school activities raised an incredible $28,874.94! The 2012 Home Run Derby National and American League championship teams
Schools that had hosted preliminary competitions on opening day advanced their winners to the home run derby championships at Central Fields in Forest Park. Sluggers put forth their best efforts to impress coaches Holliday and Freese, on hand to help with warm-ups and batting practice. Congratulations to the wiffle ball home run derby champions, and fastest pitch competition winners!
We are the Champions Nearly 70 kids from 24 elementary and middle schools got the chance to knock it out of the park in front of Matt Holliday and David Freese at the May 22 Home Run Derby Championship in Forest Park. As the two Cardinals watch here players ran batting practice and coached the finalists, more than 20 volunteers from the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference helped facilitate the slugfest from start to finish. Thank you, Great Lakes Valley Conference! HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to our Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory wiffle ball home run derby champions, and the winner of the Balls-n-Strikes fastest pitch competition!
LEAGUE
AGE DIV.
WINNER, AGE, SCHOOL
National National National American American American
6-8 9-11 12-14 6-8 9-11 12-14
Grace Justus, 8, Sacred Heart School (Troy, Mo.) Ethan Kim, 11, St. Mary Magdalen School Luke Rygelski, 12, Holy Infant School Ben Shepard, 8, St. Justin Martyr Steven Ladenberger, 11, St. Paul School (Fenton, Mo.) John Cody, 13, St. Joseph School (Cottleville, Mo.)
Fastest Pitch AGE DIV.
WINNER, AGE
6-8 9-11 12-14
Jaeda Meier, 8 40 mph Jacob Haller, 11 44 mph Josh Inman, 12 57 mph
SPEED
SCHOOL
St. Bridget of Kildare School (Pacific, Mo.) Most Sacred Heart School (Eureka, Mo.) St. Norbert Catholic School
Thanks to everyone in Cardinals Nation who stepped up to the plate and rallied for the kids. Be sure to check glennon.org for final Homers for Health pledge numbers and home runs.
If your school or business would like to participate in 2013 HOMERS FOR HEALTH activities, contact us at info@glennon.org or call 314-577-5605.
Rocky Manno
BACK IN THE GAME
W
hen Rocky Manno came home after 11 days at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Jimmy and Kelly Manno were nervous. The first-time parents had spent only one night at home with their infant son before he required admission to the hospital for jaundice and was quickly moved to intensive care with seizures due to a blood clot in his brain. While in a medically induced coma intended to stop the violent seizures, Rocky experienced a minor stroke. Rocky recovered quickly after his medical team used a non-surgical technique to break up the clot, and returned home when he was 13 days old. His mother, Kelly, says it was a great day when, at 4 months,“ they said, ‘you are done, he is healthy, and we hope we never have to see you again!’” Although doctors deemed Rocky healthy, they could not predict what, if any, lasting damage he might experience. Kelly says the next few years felt like a “dark time,” watching and waiting as Rocky’s milestones seemed to be delayed. When Rocky reached age 2, their fears were relieved as he dribbled a soccer ball “like no other” and hit free-throws on his toy basketball hoop. Kelly describes baseball, sports in general, and Rocky’s athleticism at a young age as “a big ray of light” indicating no lasting damage from his early medical problems. “Today, he’s a 7-year-old boy and the picture of perfect health,” she says. It’s fitting that baseball and Rocky’s participation in a Homers for Health fundraising event have brought him back into the spotlight — in a good way — with SSM Cardinal Glennon. Rocky slugged his way into a championship spot in the St. Ferdinand Catholic School’s Home Run Derby, moved on to the final round and raised more than $100 in pledges on his own for the program. “I hit eight home runs. I was proud of myself!” Rocky says. “For him to participate in the Homers for Health campaign with Matt Holliday and David Freese, which benefits Cardinal Glennon, who was directly responsible for him doing so well — it’s all come full circle,” Jimmy says.
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 19
Thomas Warwick Photography/Town & Style
Today’s Special:
Delight any cook, hostess or bride with the new Glennon Gourmet Cookbook, filled with 450 scrumptious recipes. Featuring awardwinning chefs from everyone’s favorite restaurants and clubs, including Ladue Racquet Club, Mathew’s Kitchen and Sydney Street Cafe. Enjoy 57 chef recipes, suited to every level of culinary expertise.
Joe Mueller, C.E.C., Ladue Racquet Club, 2011 Chef of the Year American Culinary Federation, St. Louis Chapter
Available for $25 at glennon.org/cookbook or at these locations: Catholic Supply (South City) Down by the Station (Kirkwood) Extra Virgin, an Olive Ovation (Clayton) Go! Spa (Des Peres) Hotel Ignacio (Midtown)
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center Toy Box SSM St. Mary’s Health Center Gift Shop The Final Touch (Manchester) The Flower Petaler (St. Charles) The Initial Design (Webster Groves)
®
®
Your purchase is an easy way to support SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
St. Louis Sports Hall of
GETS KIDS
F
or many decades, St. Louis sports heroes have been making heartwarming visits to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, bringing hope and encouragement to patients and their families. Superstars like Musial, Macauley, Dierdorf, Costas, Warner and, most recently, Holliday and Freese, have brought joy to thousands of sick and injured kids through these memorable encounters. Now, the organization that honors these legendary athletes, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, is naming SSM Cardinal Glennon as their Honored inductee, new charitable partner. Bob Costas The partnership was kicked off at the Sports Heroes and Legends Dinner on Thursday, September 6 at the downtown Missouri Athletic Club. St. Louis Hall of Fame founder Greg Marecek and SSM Cardinal Glennon President Sherlyn Hailstone were on hand to celebrate, along with legendary athletes including Leon Spinks, Jack Clark and David Eckstein. “It is the perfect partnership for our Hall of Fame,” said Marecek at the Heroes and Legends Dinner held in the Missouri Athletic Club. “Those who support the Hall of Fame will be thrilled to know that a significant portion of every event and every donation we secure, will also be helping kids get ‘Back in the Game’.” Also honored that evening were 7-year-old heart patient Vivien Kozeny and 5-year-old Rocky Manno, who suffered a stroke at birth. 2006 World Rocky Manno, David Eckstein and Viven Kozeny at the Sports Heroes and Legends Dinner
22 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Series MVP Eckstein joined them in celebrating overcoming their illnesses, allowing them to play sports like soccer and baseball again. Eckstein surprised Manno on stage by asking Rocky if he could sign his baseball card, custom made for that evening. The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame holds three major events a year, to be co-promoted with the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, in hopes of raising money for the medical center. These funds will be raised through individual ticket sales and corporate sponsorships
for the Hall of Fame’s Heroes and Legends Dinner (September) the Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner (November) and their annual Golf Tournament (May). “The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame is a great celebration and recognition of the city’s rich sports history,” said NBC broadcaster Bob Costas. “It’s even better that this year’s dinner will contribute toward the care of children at Cardinal Glennon,” Costas said. “I’ve come to know Cardinal Glennon intimately over the past 24 years. This new partnership will introduce many notable sports figures to the extraordinary work done at Cardinal Glennon,” Costas continued. The partnership will be highlighted at the 2012 Induction Dinner, when Costas will be joined in the St. Louis Hall of Fame by an amazing class of St. Louis sports greats, including Orlando Pace, Jim Edmonds, Jim Hanifan and Ken Boyer. “We’re so excited that the Hall of Fame recognized our all-star care and the incredible job our doctors and nurses do at getting kids back in the
Fame ENSHRINEMENT NOVEMBER 14, 2012 Millennium Hotel
AS WELL AS
Former St. Louis Football Cardinals player Dan Dierdorf and St. Louis Baseball Cardinals player Stan Musial visiting kids in the hospital during their athletic careers.
game of life,” said Sherlyn Hailstone. “This partnership validates how much our community supports our faith-based mission and reinforces to our families how much they are loved.” If you’d like to support this new partnership, it’s as easy as buying tickets to the November 14th St. Louis Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Millennium Hotel. A new award will be given at this annual event to honor a child who has battled through a particular illness or injury and returned to their favorite sport. “This will make everything the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame is doing even more meaningful,” said Costas.
Teri Clemens Don Coryell David Gall
Harry Gallatin Glenn Hall
Jim Hanifan Dr. Richard Lehman
METRO LEGEND OF THE YEAR
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Ron Holtman (MICDS)
Gene Slay's Boys Club of St. Louis
Dr. Stan London Orlando Pace
Joe Torre Al Trost
ST. LOUIS AWARD
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Webster University baseball team
Tom O’Toole
(College World Series)
NOVEMBER 14, 2012 • MILLENNIUM HOTEL The St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame has joined SSM Cardinal Glennon in helping kids get "BACK IN THE GAME."
Tickets $150 per person or $1250 per table. To order, send check or money order made out to the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame to: St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame P.O. Box 190833, St. Louis, Mo. 63119 or by calling:
Tim Moore at 888-627-3235, ext. 710 Tickets may also be purchased on-line at stlouissportshalloffame.com.
GivingBack 2012 AMBASSADOR’S
CHOICE AWARDS
THROUGH TIME AND TALENT At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. — Albert Schweitzer
E
xperiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of everyday life. Life events, great and small — kind acts, compliments or life-saving medical care — are all circumstances for which individuals acknowledge gratitude and express thanks. Grateful families at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center have long looked for ways to say thank you for the kind of care that makes it a place of faith, hope and miracles. With planning and input from patient families whose histories span decades, the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation established a means by which grateful families could give back, say thank you and express what words and donations sometimes cannot: the Glennon Ambassador Program. “There was no true vehicle for grateful families who had expressed interest in giving back to Cardinal Glennon — financially or through time
24 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
and talent — so we reached out to a dozen or so families, gathered them together and got their input on ways they could give back to the front-line caregivers who helped their children,” says Glennon Ambassador Coordinator Laura Wulf. Through a series of meetings, the group determined that Glennon Ambassadors will provide the program’s three primary initiatives of service, stewardship and support through: • peer-to-peer support of current families (past patients supporting current patients) • participating in fundraisers that support staff and facilities • sharing their experiences in the community and in marketing materials “All activities are designed to connect Glennon Ambassadors with other grateful families to promote mission awareness and a culture of philanthropy. Program participation is individualized, so Ambassadors are able and engaged to give back time, talent and treasure in their own ways,” Laura says.
The 2012 Ambassador’s Choice Awards To introduce the new program, the Glennon Ambassadors and Foundation staff hosted the Ambassador’s Choice Awards on Glennon Sunday, June 3, a special evening that recognized and thanked caregivers, and celebrated the work of the world-class medical center. More than 250 individuals, including grateful families and staff members, attended the inaugural event at the St. Louis Zoo’s Living World to honor 10 caregivers for exceptional service. Grateful parents had nominated the caregivers for the profound impact they have had on the lives of their children and family. Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center staff received Ambassador’s Choice Awards in the following categories:
EXCEPTIONAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
2012 AMBASSADOR’S CHOICE AWARD
William Keenan, M.D. Dr. Keenan has been the heart and soul of Cardinal Glennon for decades. He is the epitome of what a doctor should be at a Catholic children’s medical center. — Bill and Connie McDermott
“
”
As a neonatologist for 32 years with special interest in perinatal medicine, William Keenan, M.D., currently performs research and provides education and support to faculty members. He mentors NICU resident physicians and assists perinatal care providers in determining the most effective care patterns. Dr. Keenan also is a professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This founding involvement with the neonatal resuscitation program has given thousands of babies worldwide a chance to live.
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE 2012 AMBASSADOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Loretta Laurent, CCC/SLP
“
Sr. Judith Carron, RSM There were numerous times during our 16-year journey that Sr. Judy walked alongside us when we received bad news. She was also there to celebrate when our son received a good report. Sr. Judy not only comforted our son, but also comforted us and helped us to see God’s hand working each time we were at Cardinal Glennon. — Bill and Barb Maher
In her role as speech therapist, Loretta diagnoses and treats patients with speech, language and communication disorders. She educates families about speech and language issues, and works toward improving the lives and health of children with congenital or acquired communication issues.
As a Footprints Program care coordinator, Sr. Judy provides resources and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to help them “live well.” She facilitates effective communication between medical services, coordinates pain and symptom management, and works to identify and help resolve difficult issues. Sr. Judy also helps families with care planning as the child’s medical needs change, caring for the child at home and assisting with bereavement planning if necessary.
”
David Ish, TRS
“
I will never forget the first time he went back to the therapy room. He had never been away from me like that and we were both scared. Loretta made him feel comfortable and confident. She developed a bond with him at that first visit that aided in his therapy over the months she worked with him. — Megan Wallace
”
David has “accompanied our
scary times.
”
son on every procedure and surgery over the past three years, and offered so much companionship to him and our entire family through some very difficult and — Kelly and Shawn Krausz
David is a recreational therapist in the Child Life Department and also serves as the special groups and visitors coordinator. He specializes in children who have been diagnosed with cancer. He prepares children for procedures through coping and distraction techniques and also provides companionship, play opportunities, and family support. David offers outlets for children and families to express their feelings while communicating patients’ coping styles and needs to the health care team.
ARE YOU A GRATEFUL FAMILY MEMBER? you are a grateful family member who has supported our mission through fundraising events, donations or tributes in the past, we thank you for your generosity. If you are new to the SSM Cardinal Glennon family or are looking for additional ways to express your gratitude through time and talent, consider the Glennon Ambassador program. Grateful families at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center have long looked for ways to say thank you for the care that makes it a place of faith, hope and miracles.
If
“Through Glennon Ambassadors, you are able to give legs to your gratitude. Not only can you give thanks for the excellent care you expected and received, but you can help provide hope and state-of-the-art medical care for generations of children and families to come,” Laura Wulf says. For more information on the Glennon Ambassador Program, contact Laura Wulf at Laura_Wulf@ssmhc.com, 314-678-6635 or visit glennonambassadors.org.
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 25
EXCEPTIONAL NURSING CARE 2012 AMBASSADOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Marsha Steffen, R.N.
Matt Lunneen, R.N.
Marsha took a “scared toddler and mama and built us up, with the perfect combination of clinical know-how, realism and attention to our spirit. She increased our trust, our faith and our confidence. This is the healing presence of God that our mission statement speaks of. — Laura Wulf
”
Marsha has dedicated more than 30 years of nursing care to SSM Cardinal Glennon, with the majority of her time spent as a hematology/oncology nurse in the outpatient clinic. She served as clinical coordinator for the Bob Costas Cancer Center for many years and currently works in musculoskeletal oncology, providing education and coordinating care for patients with bone tumors.
Susan Rozier, R.N.
spent a great “dealMatt of time getting to know our son as a person. I am certain that this relationship has made all the difference in the world. — Tricia Salmo
”
Matt is a pediatric nurse practitioner who helps patients with diabetes learn to effectively manage the medical and practical issues of diabetes control. He provides important patient instruction on diet and eating habits, signs of hyper- and hypoglycemia, proper use and administration techniques of insulin, and how medications can control blood sugar so patients can learn to live with and manage their diabetes.
provided “theSusan perfect mix of acknowledging the severity of the situation, but at the same time, reminding us that anything was possible and giving me that one tiny thread of hope to cling onto. — Lauren Pawlow
”
Susan Rozier is a staff nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she provides clinical care for babies born as early as 23 weeks gestation. She educates parents and other caregivers in basic infant care, and the specialized care necessary for these tiniest of critical patients. She provides support to families throughout their sometimes lengthy stays, milestones and/or celebrations of preparation to go home.
EXCEPTIONAL MEDICAL CARE 2012 AMBASSADOR’S CHOICE AWARD
Andrew Fiore, M.D.
” Andrew Fiore, M.D., is director of
to safety.
cardiothoracic surgery at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and professor of surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has many areas of specialized clinical research, including hybrid procedures for congenital heart abnormalities and myocardial preservation techniques.
Craig Belsha, M.D.
Blakeslee Noyes, M.D.
“
Dr. Fiore looked us in the eye and gave us 100 percent of his attention, making us feel like we were his only patients in the world. He steadied the ship in the rockiest sea we’d ever experienced and steered us — Tassos and Kristin Kaburakis
“
“
Dr. Noyes’ availability was limitless. —Thomas D. McLaughlin
”
took the “timeDr.toNoyes get to know us as a family and that meant more than words can ever express. —-Chris and Maggie Thornton
”
Blakeslee Noyes, M.D., has served as director of pulmonary medicine at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for 14 of his 19 years on staff. He has special interest in cystic fibrosis and has served as director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center since 2010.
was attending.
”
Dr. Belsha spoke to her as a parent would, and he accomplished what I was too tired and too spent to do. He stayed on the phone with her for over an hour…[during] a function he — Mary Postal
Craig Belsha, M.D., is a nephrologist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center and an associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. His research interests include hypertension, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, watch here dialysis and renal transplantation.
AMBASSADOR’S CHOICE AWARDS
26 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
The Glennon Ambassador Program Grateful families who understand, better than most, the mission of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
To learn more: Visit glennonambassadors.org or contact our Program Coordinator Laura Wulf at 314-678-6635 or at Laura_Wulf@ssmhc.com.
Our Mission: Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God.
r Story e You r a h S
• Discover a Community of Su pport
• C on nect w
l nd Ta a ith Oth e m i er Families • Give Your T
ent
Buy the Glennon Card for $50 and receive 20% off at 275 fabulous shops, restaurants, spas and salons. You will receive unlimited use of the card during the 10-day period
Get in on the Magic
Oct. 26 Nov. 4, 2012. Proceeds benefit the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
2012
se: ited U Unlim - Nov. 4 6 Oct. 2
Visit glennoncard.org to purchase cards and view the complete merchant list, or buy your card from 75 select merchants.
d by
DO YOU HAVE YOUR
Glennon Card
Cindy Brooks and Brigette McMillin, Glennon Card Co-Chairs
L
ike kids crossing off calendar days in anticipation of Christmas break, Glennon Guild President Cindy Brooks and Treasurer Brigette McMillin are counting the days until the second annual Glennon Card promotion begins October 26! Who could blame the two co-chairs for their eagerness after the remarkable success they experienced with the promotion last year? Describing the fundraiser as a “really good fit for us,” Brooks says Glennon Card supporters purchased 1,300 cards in the inaugural year, raising $65,000— which all went directly to the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “We had been looking for a new fundraiser and were thrilled with the success of the program in its first year,” Brooks says.
To refresh your memory, here’s how Glennon Card works: PURCHASE: a $50 Glennon Card in one of three ways—online at glennoncard.org; from a Glennon Guild member; or from merchant selling locations listed on the website. SHOP: from Oct. 26 to Nov. 4 and receive a 20 percent discount off purchases at more than 275 participating shops, specialty stores, restaurants, spas and salons — locally owned businesses and national chains included! According to McMillin, the promotion is a win-win-win situation. “The cardholder is thrilled they get a 20 percent discount at stores that don’t normally discount. The retailers are happy because they get people in the store at a time when shopping is traditionally slower— before the big holiday rush. And, it’s a win for Cardinal Glennon because every single dollar goes right to the kids,” she explains. McMillin brought the concept to the Glennon Guild Board when her family returned to St. Louis from Dallas, where a similar program raised $90,000 in its first year and more than $12 million since its inception in 1992. “I was surprised we didn’t have one like it here. We discussed the benefits and know our Guild is not afraid to work hard and do the legwork— and that’s a good thing because this type of promotion takes a village of volunteers. The Guild has more than 300 members and a 70-person board, so it seemed like a natural fit,” McMillin says. Brooks says that Guild members put in many hours gathering the hundreds of shops, restaurants, spas and salons that participated in last year’s promotion. “St. Louis is a big area, and we went into Illinois as well. There were a lot of workers literally going door to door,” she explains. Throughout the 2011 shopping period, Brooks says merchants even contacted them to see how
YET?
they could still get involved. “We got them on board for this year,” she continues. The program would not be possible without Presenting Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and the many other sponsors that help underwrite the printing costs and the program’s first-rate media plan. “We’re still educating St. Louis on what Glennon Card is,” McMillin says. “We realized the importance of partnering with the Foundation, who provides great resources and outreach to sponsors. The Foundation has done an incredible job of marketing and helping us find sponsors.” The co-chairs hope to reach a goal of 2,000 Glennon Card sales, which would net a donation from generous St. Louisans of $100,000. Don’t miss your chance to get in on the magic of achieving that goal — get your Glennon Card today!
scan and see
GLENNON CARD
29
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH
I
t started with hope in the 1940s, when physician Peter G. Danis, MD, told Archbishop John J. Glennon that he would build a children’s hospital in St. Louis. After Glennon’s elevation to Cardinal and his passing in 1946, Cardinal Joseph Ritter continued that hope by asking the St. Louis Catholic community to help. As representatives traveled to parishes with a model of the hospital in the early 1950s, the four-year campaign raised nearly $7 million, and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center opened in July 1956.
Today, Glennon Sunday continues that mission of hope through an annual Archdiocesan-wide appeal that provides continuing support for the medical center and world-class care for children.
Hope Hope Seymour and her Heart Walk team in May 2012
Madison, Matt, Hope and Brook Seymour
SSM Cardinal Glennon is proud to share the perfect Glennon Sunday girl with the angelic expression and miracle story of Hope Seymour, a 3-year-old girl whose miracle included two open heart surgeries in her first year and a half of life.
Today the Glennon Sunday mission is carried on by dozens of volunteer parish captains who orchestrate the annual appeal and impassioned parish speakers, many of whom have experienced the type of hope SSM Cardinal Glennon gives to so many children and their families each year. Doug Dwyer is one of those Glennon Sunday speakers, one who never lost hope, never gave up faith that the medical center could help his infant daughter, Sophia. Doug’s pulpit talk that he gave on Glennon Sunday made clear the need to never give up hope… If you’d like to volunteer to become a parish captain in 2013, email Aaron Emig at aaron_emig@ssmhc.com or call 314-678-6636.
30 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
From Top, Left: Doug Dwyer; oldest son Austin,15 From Bottom, Left: Oldest daughter Isabella, 3; Doug’s wife, Wendy holding Sophia and Elijah, 2
PARISH SPEAKER
My name is Doug Dwyer, I am a St. Joseph-Cottleville parishioner, and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, but today I am here to talk to you about Glennon Sunday. On March 21, 2012, my daughter, Sophia Elizabeth, was born. As she is our fourth child, we thought we were veterans. Boy, were we wrong! She was without oxygen for about 10 minutes when she was born. When I saw her for the first time, about 20 minutes after birth, she was silent and motionless as doctors and nurses poked and prodded her trying to get IVs and central lines in.
daughter lay in only a diaper on a cold blanket. She was gradually cooled to below body temperature and monitored very closely as her brain recovered. Throughout this time the doctors and
Today, at 2 months, our little Sophia is doing amazing. Her first MRI is clear, and there is reasonable proof that she may not have any real significant damage at all! We are still praying for her 6-month MRI to be clean. Her life is a true testament to the power of prayer, and we believe that Cardinal Glennon put those prayers into action.
Glennon Sunday 2012 has raised in excess of $470,000 to date, helping to fund the new Knights of Columbus Developmental Center.
Sophia in the SSM Cardinal Glennon NICU
We were told that Sophia needed to be transported to Cardinal Glennon for a new procedure, a cooling protocol that gave her the best chance to avoid further brain damage. The doctors assured us that she was a good candidate for the procedure and that it would make a world of difference. For the next 72 hours, we could only watch as our 5-pound 11-ounce
nurses at Cardinal Glennon provided tremendous help and support for my family. It’s hard to explain just how important Cardinal Glennon was to Sophia’s recovery. Not only did they provide her with cutting-edge technology, but the doctors were tops in their field. She received every test and evaluation she needed, often in her room, without any waiting or extra stress to her. We were also made comfortable, as their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rooms are made so that parents can stay the night. They had a support group and special rooms for parents to get away from the monitors. They provided excellent support to my wife (including meals) so we could just focus on being with Sophia. We were also spiritually fed by the daily Mass they offer.
Over 50 years ago the healing ministry began with 100,000 St. Louis Catholics. Today Cardinal Glennon, the only free-standing Catholic pediatric medical center in the country, helps over 300,000 kids every year. When it started, the Franciscan Sisters said no child will be turned away. If someone couldn’t afford the care, “Our Dear Lord’s” care (or ODL) was put in the ledger. Today that practice continues with your help. So, I ask for help in two areas: one, I ask that you pray for all the staff and especially the children at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Second, I ask that you prayerfully consider a donation to Cardinal Glennon on this Glennon Sunday. Thank you, and God bless you!
Where Faith and Healing Unite glennon.org Fall 2012 • 31
“CAN
ANYONE PLEASE HELP? ”
St. Louis, MO
CONSTANZA,
An International Journey and a Life-saving Mission of Love
Dominican Republic
C
all it instinct, a mother’s love, or desperation, but when Ana Lisbeth Valerio learned that 6-month-old Alexa needed a surgery that her regional hospital could not provide, she went to extraordinary lengths to find help. As the stay-at-home mother of three and farmer’s wife quickly learned, the problem was much greater than finding another hospital for the lifesaving procedure. Not only was the surgery unavailable in their hometown of Constanza, or the surrounding La Vega province, it was unavailable in her entire Dominican Republic homeland.
“Alexa contracted pneumonia, and that’s when doctors detected her cardiac condition. They said she needed an operation, that it was a very serious condition. That’s when I started looking for help,” Lisbeth says. After months of searching, pleading and advertising on radio and in the newspaper, Lisbeth discovered that it takes not only a mother’s relentless mission, but an elaborate international partnership and, unfortunately, time — of which Alexa had little to spare. The repair for Alexa’s congenital heart defect was time-sensitive. Each day that went by brought her closer to a time when the surgery might not be feasible.
At SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Andrew Fiore, MD, and Charles Huddleston, MD, professors of cardiothoracic surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, perform the complex, life-saving surgery Alexa needed an average of once per month. However, this case had unique importance. “As physicians, we need to be committed to the care of all patients, not just those with the wherewithal financially and socially to have their health improved if they have a congenital heart defect,” Dr. Fiore says. “Dr. Huddleston and I feel that missionary work is an important part of our practice.”
W
orld Pediatric Project Executive Director Kathy Corbett witnesses and addresses health care disparity cases like Alexa’s every day. With a vision that “Geography should not be the reason a child lives or dies,” Corbett founded a predecessor organization that became part of World Pediatric Project in 2011. The mission is two-fold: to meet the critical care needs of children whose needs cannot be met in their own countries by bringing them to partner hospitals for surgical care, and to establish long-term, sustainable solutions for health care needs by providing training, diagnostic tools and improving the existing hospital infrastructure to build up health care capacity and lessen the dependence on countries like the U.S. If World Pediatric Project’s mission sounds like a big job, it is. Serving Central America and the Caribbean, the St. Louis office brings three or four children to SSM Cardinal Glennon for life-changing care each year. But, the organization’s work would be futile without the medical partnerships it has with St. Louis physicians, surgeons and medical facilities like
Right: Cardiothoracic surgeon Andrew Fiore, MD, meets with Lisbeth and Alexa for a postsurgical follow-up visit. Below: Alexa plays peek-a-boo at the Rally Squirrel playground.
spotted the Valerio family’s ad in the newspaper asking, “Can anyone please help?” Corazones Unidos contacted Corbett, who initiated the first step: determine if the partners can make a strong impact on the child’s life through surgical care. Both her organization and SSM Cardinal Glennon have criteria that must be met, to ensure that proceeding will make a life-changing difference. The medical center’s charity care committee reviews the case, assesses the cost and determines whether it has the appropriate funds to cover the case.
“Cardinal Glennon donated everything needed to identify the medical need, the surgery and the post-operative care in the hospital.” Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “Even after the hours they put in, these doctors take phone calls, field my questions and review cases. They give 110 percent because they care so very much,” Corbett says. “Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center has been a strong partner of World Pediatric Project since 2004. Dr. Fiore and Dr. Huddleston are fierce advocates for children and believe they should have the opportunity to live life to its fullest.” The process begins with one of World Pediatric Project’s partners, like Corazones Unidos, whose representative
“First they determine if the child fits the criteria for care and get approval from the charity care committee. Then, we start working on the many more pieces of the puzzle,” Corbett says. Once a child is approved for care by SSM Cardinal Glennon, the medical center donates the time, services, supplies and facilities necessary; physicians and surgeons donate their time and services as well. Corbett describes the cardiothoracic surgeons as having a significant role in the process: “Doctors Fiore and Huddleston are a huge part of that puzzle because they believe so strongly in what we do,” she says. “So, Cardinal Glennon really
donates everything. In Alexa’s case, they donated everything needed to identify the medical need, the surgery and the post-operative care in the hospital. World Pediatric Project handles all these other services such as transportation, housing, food, social support, translation and more,” she says. In addition to medical care, SSM Cardinal Glennon assists with the complicated paperwork — documentation letters to the U.S. Embassy and other items — needed to secure the child’s U.S. medical visa. “Cardinal Glennon is a partner from beginning to end, and glennon.org Fall 2012 • 33
“CAN ANYONE
PLEASE HELP? ”
even after. When the child gets home, I know Dr. Fiore or Dr. Huddleston will call me in three months and ask, ‘How’s Alexa?’” Corbett says. When Lisbeth learned of Alexa’s care plan in St. Louis, she was relieved and happy, yet worried. “I was very happy and hopeful that my daughter was going to be OK. I was a little anxious about
Lisbeth traveled with Alexa from their rural, concrete-walled home in Constanza to St. Louis, leaving behind her husband, Alexis, and older children, Crisbeli, 8, and Jarieli, 6. According to Corbett, the Valerios live a relatively simple lifestyle with sporadic electricity, washing clothes by hand and cooking over propane or open fire. To make Lisbeth comfortable during her stay, World Pediatric Project provided translators, arranged for Ronald McDonald House lodging with other Spanish-speaking families and secured Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioners to take her to Mass. “We work hard to surround the families with support,” Corbett says. Above: Alexa, her sister, Crisbeli, and brother, Jarieli, at their home in Constanza. Right: The Valerio family’s modest home in a mountainous region of the Dominican Republic.
the procedures, but in the Dominican Republic, they explained it a little bit,” she says. “Some of our families have never even been to an airport, never mind setting foot on a plane,” says Corbett. “When we tell them their child has been accepted for care, there is overwhelming joy and happiness, and instant trust. The fact that they put their trust in a physician they have never met, miles and miles away, is pretty amazing.”
34 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Describing the 26-year-old, Corbett says that Lisbeth was quiet, strong, respectful and full of gratitude while in St. Louis. She recalls Lisbeth saying, “I know that besides God’s hands, she is in the best hands she can be in here at Cardinal Glennon, so I wait and trust that Alexa will be fine.” The process of Lisbeth’s determined journey to secure help for Alexa had taken more than six months. That time lapse had allowed complicating factors to develop that placed Alexa at increased risk for the surgical procedure due to a chance of pulmonary hypertension, causing the lungs to be compromised. These complications usually occur by the 1-year mark. By the time the bright-eyed 13-monthold arrived at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center on April 3, she had passed that milestone. M. Baback Rahimi, MD, pediatric cardiologist and assistant profes-
sor of cardiology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says that Alexa was six months past due the time the procedure is typically, and optimally, performed. “From the ultrasound, it looked like she would be a candidate for surgery, and that was our hope.”
U
pon Dr. Rahimi’s recommendation, pediatric interventional cardiologist Saar Danon, MD, conducted the diagnostic procedure to ensure she was a candidate for surgery. “We performed a cardiac catheterization to see if she was a good candidate for repair of her AV canal defect. If unrepaired after the first six months of age, the lungs get a lot of extra blood flow,” Dr. Danon says. “The longer time that the lungs receive extra blood flow, the more likely it is for the pressure to become elevated and result in pulmonary hypertension.” After reviewing Alexa’s echocardiograms and ultrasounds from Corazones Unidos, Dr. Rahimi was optimistic. “With the catheterization, we put small sensors in the arteries in the lungs to make sure the pressure was within normal limits. We also made sure there were no other abnormalities we couldn’t see in the echocardiogram,” he says. As a partner who often travels with World Pediatric Project to bring research and prevention work to developing countries, Dr. Rahimi is dedicated to the organizations and to his own personal mission to help. He credits the team of health care professionals — cardiologists and cardiology staff, PICU physicians and nurses — who “selflessly cared for Alexa and assisted her through the very difficult recovery time. Events like this could not happen without them. “It’s wonderful that these kids, born not too far from the United States, get the same top medical care we get over here. This great organization and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation have sponsored these kids so we can help extend their lives and, hopefully, have a normal, happy life afterward,” Dr. Rahimi says.
It’s smiles all around as a follow-up visit with pediatric cardiologist Baback Rahimi, MD, confirms Alexa’s positive outcome. Right: Alexa demonstrates her playful, happy nature on the Rally Squirrel playground with mother Lisbeth.
W
ith the positive outcome from the cardiac catheterization, Drs. Rahimi and Danon assessed that Alexa’s lungs could tolerate the surgery. Her medical team expanded to include Dr. Fiore and Dr. Huddleston, who had reviewed and accepted Alexa’s case and were eager to provide the surgical expertise she needed. “The team — everyone who works with us in the hospital —
in both valves — the mitral and tricuspid valve — so we had to repair the valves and close two holes,” he says. During the three- to four-hour surgery, Alexa was on the heart-lung machine for nearly two hours. Given her age and the risk factors, “We were very pleased she did so well,” Dr. Fiore says. “The holes
“This great organization and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation have sponsored these kids so we can help extend their lives...” is committed to doing these kinds of cases from various parts of the globe,” Fiore said. “It’s very important to extend the hope and charity of our expertise to neonates, infants and children who don’t have the means to have their congenital heart lesions repaired.” Repairing Alexa’s atrioventricular septal defect required a complex operation, Dr. Fiore explains. “She was born with one large hole between the two upper and lower chambers. She had abnormalities
are closed, and the valves are repaired well. The physicians, surgeons and nurses at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center have given Alexa an opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest.” Just as she began her journey seeking help for Alexa, Lisbeth was ever-vigilant and determined throughout their twomonth stay. She bravely faced the apprehension of a mother whose sick child is progressing through the diagnostic, surgical and post-surgical recovery
processes, the unfamiliarity of a foreign culture and the loneliness of experiencing each event without her family. “Looking at my child connected to these machines is not easy, but not as hard as the six months I searched everywhere for help without knowing if she would ever get the help in time,” Lisbeth says. Thanks to a mother’s love, an organization’s mission and the generous donations of a medical center and its staff, Alexa is home in Constanza happy, healthy and “able to just be a kid now,” Corbett says. “Alexa’s See the video happy ending is that we found her in time. Cardinal Glennon reached out to her and she will now be able to live a happy, normal, ALEXA VALERIO productive life.”
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 35
He’s a
Sweetie Pie! Timmy Norman loves being the center of attention. He works the crowd like a pro, wowing admirers with those beautiful eyes. He comes by it naturally…with musical and vocal talent deeply rooted in his family tree, he’s a born performer.
A STAR IS BORN
E
G
randmother Robbie Montgomery, a Mississippiborn and St. Louis-raised entertainer and entrepreneur, has many claims to fame, including touring and singing back-up vocals as an Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner. Currently, Miss Robbie’s fame centers around her steady climb to successful restaurateur (along with son, Tim Norman) of three St. Louis-area Sweetie Pie’s restaurants, nationally known for the down-home menu items Robbie’s mother taught her to make when she was a girl. They say you can never get show biz out of your system, so the restaurants’ success, coupled with Miss Robbie’s entertainment background, landed the family a prime time network slot on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) with a reality show/docuseries called “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s.”
their family and friends, and the adoring viewers of “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s,” but the world-class caregivers in the NICU. Yes, Timmy was born a star and already has quite a following, but it was his premature life debut that initially caused such a stir. NICU Medical
Wallick will never forget that visit to her obstetrician — the first time she and fiancé Norman allowed the OWN production crew to accompany them and capture that element of Season One’s storyline — when what should have been routine turned emergent with an unusually high blood pressure reading. “I’d had no risks during pregnancy. Everything was perfect — I was over the top on doing everything just right,” Wallick says. “They just happened to be here for the scariest moment of my life, for all the world to see,” she continues. An ultrasound, further testing and examinations by specialists determined that her baby needed to be delivered by Cesarean section the next evening.
I
...arriving at exactly 27 weeks gestation, less than 12 inches long and weighing 1 pound 6 ounces, Timmy has been the
center of attention... For Miss Robbie’s grandson Timmy — or TJ, as some family members call him — there was a time when being the center of attention wasn’t just about being cute. During the first five months of Timmy’s life, that attention had little to do with performances and focused on live-saving and life-sustaining measures from a team of caregivers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Since arriving at exactly 27 weeks gestation, less than 12 inches long and weighing 1 pound 6 ounces, Timmy has been the center of attention of not only parents Jenae Wallick and Tim Norman,
T
E
Jenae and Timmy stop by Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust to visit dad, Tim Norman.
Director and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine Farouk Sadiq, MD, says that Timmy was “a little smaller than you would expect” at 27 weeks and attributes that to his mother’s onset of high blood pressure (preeclampsia) early in her last trimester. “Welcome to Sweetie Pie's” returned September 15 and currently airs on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 37
Columbia Golf Classic
Swee
to the Rescue for NICU Parents
N
ot everyone experiences the stress of having a preemie in the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but everyone knows the value of a good night’s sleep. The Columbia Golf Classic committee thought that bringing an element of comfort to parents was a more-than-worthy cause toward which to designate the funds raised through the 2011 annual event. Tournament committee members John Hefele and John Eilermann Jr., also members of the medical center Board of Governors, each have supported the tournament for nearly two decades.
After minor hospitalizations for two of his children, Hefele has maintained interest in and support for SSM Cardinal Glennon “It made a lasting impression on me. I’m blessed to be able to do this,” Hefele says. Although he believes it’s the loving care that parents remember, Hefele feels that using the nearly $88,000 raised to purchase couches/fold-out beds for weary NICU parents staying overnight, was very worthwhile.
...nearly $88,000 raised to purchase couches/ fold-out beds for weary NICU parents staying overnight... The donations grow each year, thanks to many steadfast supporters who keep the overhead very low. Eilermann says he’s “…honored to be a part of this great tournament for 20 years. We may not be the fanciest tournament in town, but we have the most fun. SSM Cardinal Glennon is one of very few St. Louis institutions that is such a source of pride in our community and unites us all,” he continues. Thanks to the Columbia Golf Classic, and supporters like Hefele and Eilermann, NICU parents are resting a little easier and more comfortably than ever! 38 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Timmy Norman's first day in SSM Cardinal Glennon's NICU weighing 1 pound 6 ounces.
Although apprehensive about Timmy’s early arrival, it was love at first sight. “He was tiny. I could have held him with one hand,” Wallick says. Timmy’s parents spent only five minutes with their tiny son before he was transported to SSM Cardinal Glennon. “I got to touch him and hold his hands, but I didn’t get to hold him for almost a week,” she continues. “My initial reaction was a mixture of fear and unconditional love. With TJ being so small, I knew it would be a while before I would feel comfortable holding him, but I was a dad at that very moment,” Norman says.
etie Pie! Dr. Sadiq says Timmy arrived at the NICU with many of the health problems common to babies of early gestation. “He had breathing difficulties because the lungs are immature. Because of the small size, these babies need to be in an incubator to keep them warm. Feeding and nutrition is a big problem because we can’t feed them the full amounts they need right away,” he explains. While Timmy initially experienced all these problems, Dr. Sadiq says he was weaned from mechanical ventilation quickly and progressed very well. Throughout most of Timmy’s five-month stay in the NICU, his fairly uneventful and routine progress — breathing on his own and gaining weight gram by gram — was documented by the “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” crew. Onsite throughout Timmy’s stay, the crew respected SSM Cardinal Glennon’s privacy, security and infection regulations. “It worked out fine,” says Dr. Sadiq. “They didn’t film while we talked to Timmy’s mom and dad in our daily conferences.” He compliments Wallick’s
Proud grandmother, Robbie Montgomery, grateful to have Timmy home
discharge, he developed an infection so severe that he ended up back on a highfrequency ventilator and required medications to support his blood pressure and heart. “He was very critical at that time. He had been here for 3 1/2 months and was doing so well when he became so sick. It was a very difficult time for his mom and family,” Dr. Sadiq says.
“I want TJ to be healthy… as long as he is healthy, he can do whatever his heart desires.” management of Timmy’s needs with the crew’s desire to document his progress, saying, “Mom was very, very particular. Jenae’s a fantastic person and a fantastic mother.” In fact, it was Wallick who imposed additional restrictions on the crew. “There were times I’d say, ‘No, you can’t come back,’ if Timmy was having a rough time or anything was going on,” Wallick says. After progressing without setback, and just about the time Timmy’s NICU caregivers were looking toward his
T
Through it all, Timmy had an extraordinary support system from the Wallick, Norman and Montgomery families. Whether it was Wallick, her parents or other family members, “We always had someone here with him,” Wallick says. With the difficult challenge of managing a business and a “family in crisis,” Norman says he somehow juggled each responsibility. “I came to the hospital every day, and nights I stayed in the parents’ rooms downstairs. I went to work because it was better for me to deal with the situation by getting back to normal. I knew TJ was in good hands here,” Norman says.
His ever-vigilant grandmother also visited Timmy daily in the NICU. “TJ was my first priority then, and still is now,” Montgomery says. She’s extremely proud of her grandson and hopes that, from her, he will learn to “stay prayerful and trust that prayer answers everything.” She also hopes that as TJ grows, he’ll learn that “patience and perseverance is the way.” Montgomery is testimony to that life lesson, explaining, “My proudest moment was the opening of Upper Crust (Sweetie Pie’s most recent addition in Grand Center). It’s my own building and in a neighborhood where, as a young girl, I wasn’t even allowed to eat in restaurants due to my race. Now, I am an owner and living my dream. Living his dream is what I wish for my grandson.” After recovering from his setback, Timmy left the NICU at 5 months of age and a developmental or adjusted age of 2 months. “It’s how the doctors adjust for the delays in development and milestones for preemies,” Wallick explains. “He’s been hitting all his milestones. There really isn’t anything they’re concerned with, and that’s fantastic. We’ve been very, very blessed and fortunate.” Miss Robbie’s hopes and dreams for her Sweetie Pie’s family include continuing health and happiness. “I want TJ to be healthy. As long as he is healthy, he can do whatever his heart desires. I pray that Jenae and Tim make it down the aisle next year. They have had a rough year, and they deserve to be happy. I also want them to have a couple more grandchildren for me to spoil!” As the entertainer/entrepreneur knows so well, watch here “patience and perseverance is the way.”
EA STAR IS BORN
Timmy and mom, Jenae Wallick, visit with Dr. Sadiq after his regular check up.
SWEETIE PIE TIMMY NORMAN
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 39
PARTNERS IN PARENTING
MISSOURI
Poison Center What would we do without you? IT HAPPENS IN AN INSTANT.
I
“He’s all about safety. Doyle realized what happened, came rushing in with Kiernan saying, ‘Call poison control,’” Stacy Ward recalls. On a laid-back Sunday morning, Doyle Ward had just ushered his four children outside for some yard work and gardening. In a moment of distraction, no one noticed 22-month-old Kiernan picking up a container from the recycling bin. Suddenly, 16-year-old Sabrina saw the upturned charcoal lighter fluid container and drips of liquid on Kiernan’s mouth and shirt. “He started coughing very deeply and appeared to be in distress,” Doyle says, as the leisurely Sunday turned chaotic. Missouri Poison Center Director Julie Weber, RPh, CSPI, believes the Wards made the right call. “Our greatest service to the community is that we’re available 24 hours a day to calm that parent’s fears and answer the questions that help treat the patient,” she says. The Missouri Poison Center, a program of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, provides a free, statewide, 24-hour service to the public and health care professionals. Thanks to his parents’ quick response, 2-yearold Kiernan Ward bounced back quickly from an accidental hydrocarbon exposure at his home.
For a poison emergency, call:
314-772-5200 1-800-222-1222
What’s it worth to you? FUNDING IS NEEDED SSM Cardinal Glennon Emergency Medicine Physician Albert Nakanishi, MD, examines Kiernan with parents Doyle and Stacy Ward in an emergency department treatment room.
Since 1974, the Poison Center has handled more than 2 million cases. In 2011, the Center handled 98,515 calls — 58,400 of which were human exposure cases. As a hotline responder, Barb Eichhorn, RN, CSPI, receives frantic, tearful calls from parents. Stacy’s call concerned her because Kiernan already was displaying symptoms. “She sounded calm and in control, but I knew she was worried. You get pieces of the story as it unfolds. I didn’t know how much (he had ingested), but I knew he was already coughing,” Eichhorn explains.
Doyle agreed, describing Kiernan’s behavior as ‘business as usual.’ “He was being himself — he’s a very lively child.” Following hotline protocol, Eichhorn followed up to check Kiernan’s status. “Dr. Nakanishi already had it under control. He’s well-versed in hydrocarbons and aspirations,” she says. Albert Nakanishi, MD, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center emergency medicine physician and associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, says that without a witness to the ingestion, it was important “Since 1974, the Poison Center has to conduct a history, exam handled more than 2 million cases. and get a chest X-ray to In 2011, the Center handled 98,515 detect aspiration of the calls — 58,400 of which were human hydrocarbon. “It’s easy to gag on the product. When you exposure cases.” cough, you may inhale the Kiernan’s exposure warranted medical hydrocarbon into the airway, which can assessment, and Eichhorn advised the cause pneumonitis,” he says. “It can be life-threatening depending on the nature of Wards to seek emergency treatment at the ingestion — how much and how long SSM Cardinal Glennon. With their 9-1-1 before supportive care comes into play,” call, an ambulance was already on its way. he continues. Although Kiernan’s chest “EMS can monitor the patient, give oxyX-ray was clear, Dr. Nakanishi gen if needed and relay information to the recommended observing him for a few ED en route,” she says. more hours. “The effects of toxic poison According to Weber, nearly 72 can be delayed,” he explains. percent of the Poison Center’s exposure Doyle’s advice to calls are handled without requiring a visit parents: “Be attentive. to the emergency department. Although scan and see Kids are extremely always careful to err on the side of caution, curious, and it doesn’t the staff is trained to analyze the symptoms take long to get in and the rapidity with which they evolve. serious trouble. If they When the Wards arrived at SSM do get in trouble, keep Cardinal Glennon, Kiernan’s coughing calm, and call the had decreased significantly, and Stacy felt MISSOURI POISON CENTER Poison Center.” confident he was recovering. “He was running down the hall, climbing on everything,” she says.
M
any families are familiar with the Missouri Poison Center’s life-saving services, but far too few know the Center’s critical and growing funding needs. Historically, the Center has received funding from a federal grant, state (Medicaid) allocations, Missouri Hospital Association and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. As one of the busiest, yet most cost-efficient poison centers in the country, the Center’s operating costs are approximately $2.5 million. Judy Dungan, director of public policy for SSM Cardinal Glennon, During a crisis, parents says that with throughout Missouri rely on reductions in federal the Poison Center’s expertise. grant funding, the hospital has been operating the poison center at a deficit. “Cardinal Glennon subsidized more than $400,000 last year, but cannot continue to support to that extent,” she says.
“Cardinal Glennon subsidized more than $400,000 last year, but cannot continue to support to that extent...” With Missouri legislature reviewing funding for a statewide 9-1-1 program, Dungan hopes they’ll include Poison Center funding in that bill.” What can parents do? “Call, write or email your legislators. The Poison Center is at risk, and they need to come up with solutions to fund it,” Dungan says. glennon.org Fall 2012 • 41
GLENNON KIDS
Anything but Ordinary...
THE NIGHT OF A
T
o the casual observer, the June 8 pre-game events for the Cardinals/Cleveland Indians game were ordinary and routine: the usual lucky Cards fan out on the field with a small group of family and friends, creating a nice memory and great
Lifetime
However, this pre-game event was anything but ordinary for 15-year-old Cheyenna Ames, Cards fan and cystic fibrosis patient at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for the past 11 years. For Cheyenna, it was the night of a lifetime. What that observer likely missed was Cheyenna’s very special pre-game
“I know exactly who I want to invite!” and started a list of caregivers — doctors, therapists and nurses... “They’re my family, too.” conversation starter. That evening’s guest was a petite teenage girl with beautiful strawberry blonde hair — and quite an extended family, actually — smiling widely in her David Freese gold jersey on the Cardinals playing field. In the pre-game ceremony, the nervous southpaw lobbed her best-effort pitch to Matt Carpenter, who scooped it up, jogged to the mound and shared a congratulatory hug with the rookie/guest pitcher. To the casual observer, it was an ordinary pre-game ceremony.
meeting in the dugout with Homers for Health co-chair and third baseman David Freese, during which he signed her jersey and, much to the envy of most of St. Louis, hung out and joked around with this big-hearted teenager. “It was so great. He was so sweet and so nice. I wanted to stay and talk to him all day, but of course, he had to play baseball,” Cheyenna says. The event was the brainchild of Child Life Specialist Kara Short, part of Cheyenna’s care team for six years, who
Cheyenna and Homers for Health co-chair David Freese in a June 8 pre-game dugout visit
works to provide “fun, a sense of normalcy and lots of support” while she’s hospitalized. Kara planned to surprise Cheyenna and her family — father, Randy, and younger sister, Addy — with Cardinals tickets — a rare treat for the Moberly, Mo., family. “The last few months have been pretty tough — she’s had lots of hospitalizations,” Kara says. A benevolent Cardinals representative generously turned Kara’s request for three tickets into an offer to accommodate as many family and friends as Cheyenna wanted. While many 15-year-olds would start the invitation list with their top-15 Facebook friends, Kara was not surprised when Cheyenna immediately informed her, “I know exactly who I want to invite!” and started a list of caregivers — doctors, therapists and nurses — she wanted to accompany her.
Cheyenna, her caregivers and family at the June 8 Cards/Cleveland game
Deeply moved and highly flattered by Cheyenna’s gratitude for their care, nearly 20 SSM Cardinal Glennon “family” members attended the game with Cheyenna and her immediate family. “I’ve grown up around them. They’re my family, too,” Cheyenna says. “They do so much for me, and I never get to hang out with them outside the hospital.” The care for patients with cystic fibrosis is very much a team approach, says pulmonologist and director of the medical center’s nationally recognized Cystic Fibrosis Center Blakeslee Noyes, MD, who helps direct Cheyenna’s care. “Cheyenna is a terrific young lady who loves Cardinal Glennon and loves her caregivers, too,” he says. “She sees us — all the people who work so hard to keep her well — as her family, too.”
As Cheyenna’s caregiver team finalized the event plans, the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation staff decided that such extraordinary gratitude and generosity could not go unnoticed — or unmatched! With insider knowledge of her favorite Cardinals player, the Foundation oneupped her generosity by surprising Cheyenna with a private dugout visit with David Freese. The Cardinals extended the offer of the ceremonial first pitch, topped off by a night’s stay donated by the Ballpark Hilton. Cheyenna’s report on meeting Freese? “She loved every minute of it,” Kara says. Cheyenna recalls being “only a little nervous” about the meeting with Freese. “He was a normal person — just plays baseball and got MVP, that’s all,” she jokes. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that, with the advent of universal newborn screening, is most often diagnosed in the first month of life. Dr. Noyes, involved in Cheyenna’s care for the past 11 years, says Cheyenna has battled “very severe cystic fibrosis with very severe lung involvement” even as a young child when many are relatively symptom-free. “Early on we recognized that she was sicker than most children at that age. We’d see her every two to three months with a two- to three-week stay. More recently, she is here more frequently and for longer
periods. Right now, it’s a 24-hour-a-day job for her to get well,” he says. As Cheyenna works hard to regain her strength and health, she remains cheerful and optimistic. “That’s the kind of kid she is. Even when she’s feeling crummy, she’d still give you a big smile,” Dr. Noyes says. Cheyenna’s father, Randy, says that the optimism Cheyenna and all the family shares is due in large part to the care, support and love they receive from Cheyenna’s caregivers. “In the beginning, we were basically coming here for the care. Gradually that grew beyond the CF team and included the nurses and other staff. Like Cheyenna says, we’ve kind of grown up with them,” Randy says. Randy, Kara and Dr. Noyes all describe Cheyenna as a caring, giving individual. “She is so selfless — always thinks about everyone else above herself,” Kara says. With that kind of outlook and attitude, it’s no wonder Cheyenna’s ‘family’ wanted to do something special for her. Likewise, it’s really no surprise that Cheyenna turned it See the video around in gratitude to her caregivers and gave them a night to remember.
family CHEYENNA AMES
Cheyenna throws out the first pitch
glennon.org Fall 2012 • 43
GLENNON KIDS
SSM Cardinal Glennon kids want Justin Bieber
W
hat would you do if you were a 13-year-old, cute-as-can-be, junior-high girl looking for a summer adventure, and totally in love with JB? Who’s JB, you ask? Seriously? If you have to ask, you must be over …well, 17, and unaware of pop culture phenom Justin Bieber! If you’re SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center patient and Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor Lauren Lee, the instant you hear that Justin Bieber is coming to St. Louis — OMG!!! — you call anyone and everyone to help make the world’s most creative and impressive video you can. Why? Well, because JB’s cut-out and Lauren Lee that’s what teenagers strike a pose at Forest do...post videos on Park’s Grand Basin near YouTube, Facebook, Art Hill. Twitter and other social media. In this case, Lauren’s reason was much different. As a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Lauren has a great allegiance to and love for SSM Cardinal Glennon and the many kids who wage battles against illness and injury. She knows first-hand what the special visits and hospital “perks” can mean while in the throes of treatment. When Lauren heard 44 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
that Justin Bieber was coming to the Scottrade Center in October, she knew this was her chance to try to get the singing sensation to visit the kids at the medical center. Lauren, friend Carsyn and BFF/ medical center mascot Rally Squirrel knew exactly what would appeal to a teenage visitor. She created a whirlwind video tour of St. Louis and all it has to offer. The trio traveled to landmarks, accompanied by the Biebs himself — in the form of a life-size cardboard cutout! The crew started out with makeovers at St. Louis’ finest—Ginger Bay Salon, followed by a riverboat ride on the Mississippi. After frolicking at downtown St. Louis’ City Garden, they headed for Rally’s South St. Louis fave — Ted Drewes Frozen Custard! They made the rounds to Forest Park (Rally’s idea…so he could try to catch some fish), and ended up at the The Magic House, where Rally went all “commander-in-chief” behind the Oval Office replica room desk. Lauren’s video wraps up at the medical center where she shoots hoops with the kids, plays on the playground and visits patients in the Bob Costas Cancer Center. It soon becomes evident that Lauren’s not-so-secret wish is that Lauren and friends shootin' hoops at the medical center.
the Canadian singer/actor will visit the kids at the SCAN & SEE THE VIDEO! hospital that (literally) saved her life! With 16,000 views, Lauren’s video has reached fans in 110 countries. Her goal: 1 million views and national (and JB’s) attention. One of JB’s agents even tweeted her back — how awesome is that? Help Lauren by checking out her video and sharing it with your friends and family on social media. Log in to YouTube and type “cardinalglennonkid” for Lauren’s channel, or follow her on Twitter @lee315lee #BELIEVE! Then what? Post, share and retweet to everyone you know to help Lauren get to 1 million views! WILL JB COME?
WE’RE NOT SURE BUT ... WE BELIEVE!
$250 and above are listed in Friends.
Gifts of
To view the full listing of gifts received by our Glennon Friends visit glennon.org
glennon.org
C E L E B R A T I N G T H E F A I T H , C O M M I T M E N T, A N D G E N E R O S I T Y O F O U R S U P P O R T E R S.
Lou Mund A Long-Time Friend of SSM Cardinal Glennon Kids
S
ince 1984 Lou Mund has been supporting SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, namely through the annual Columbia Golf Classic at the course he owned in Columbia, Illinois. And what a golf tournament it is, having raised more than $1.8 million dollars over those 29 years with very little
all the great people at McBride and Sons who now run the tournament year after year. I recently visited Lou at his rural hillside home in Illinois, just a mile or so from the Columbia Golf Course. As I was knocking on his door, I heard the whirling sound of helicopter rotors approaching in the distance. Moments later,
“We Love You Mr. Lou! From all the children of Cardinal Glennon” expense, thanks to Lou never charging the organizers a dime for the 250+ golfers each year. “It’s been amazing to see what a few friends can do when they come together,” Mund said, referring to his friends Rich Dohack, Jerry Meyer, the Luhr Brothers, the Fabick family and
a jet-copter appeared over the trees and softly landed in his nearby field. Then, from under the whipping blades, out came Lou with a giant smile and a wave! You talk about making a grand entrance to our meeting! For anyone who knows this unique man, such a thrillseeking arrival won’t come as a surprise. This is just another day in the life an 80-year-old man who thinks age is overrated. “I love doing new things and staying active,” Mund said as he pulled down his ball cap as the helicopter flew away. Lou has done a lot of exciting things in his eight decades of living, from flying with the Blue Angels to scuba diving in the tropics. But what he seems most proud to talk about is his sister, Jeanne Lagowski, a Neurobiologist for Lou Mund at his ranch in September 2012
48 years at the University of Texas at Austin. “She’s an amazing researcher who’s done great things for science,” Mund brags as he pulls out article after article from a file he keeps handy in his front room. “My sister is a lot smarter than me,” Lou says with a humble laugh. While not a world renowned and published scientist like his sister, Lou has been a successful rancher, farmer, entrepreneur and land developer. Mund’s success has given him the unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Lou recently joined the Glennon Society by revealing that he has named SSM Cardinal Glennon in his estate plans. “It makes me feel good when I go around town and people introduce me as ‘the guy who helps the kids at Cardinal Glennon!’ Makes me feel proud to know that is part of my legacy,” Mund said. Lou believes that “people help people” and that all of us are called to do our part. He says that’s what he likes about the medical center, “I know they do a great job of healing kids and getting them back in school,” Mund says. His gift will be in honor of his faith-filled mother, Josephine Emma Wecker Mund, a lifelong school teacher for 31 years. “Her memory was honored recently by the Dupo School district,” Lou says as he proudly pulls out another jam-packed file folder from his desk. As I left Lou’s home that afternoon, past the grand gate that he designed and built that
bears a plaque that reads “We Love You Mr. Lou! From all the children of Cardinal Glennon,” I realize that this intriguing man’s gratitude and generosity is a Mund family trait. Mother taught, sister endorsed and living through Lou daily! Dan Buck Executive Director Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
See the List To view a complete list of gifts received from February GLENNON FRIENDS – GIFTS RECIEVED 1, 2012, to July 31, 2012, visit
glennon.org WAYS TO GIVE bubble.
and click on the WAYS TO GIVE
Gifts received from February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 • 47
TRIBUTE
Mario Alonso
I
n the course of our lives, we meet and interact with thousands of people. But once in a while, you find someone who stands out in the crowd – a person with a zest for life and compassion for others. This person causes you to look at everything as possible, not impossible; a person you can trust and respect without question. Father of five children and grandfather to 16, Jose Mario Alonso was that kind of man. Mario was a physician who grew through his personal experiences and gave back a part of his life, wisdom and entire self to everyone around him. He was truly extraordinary – a gentleman, a true friend, and faithful supporter of his family. He was always an example of how to help others grow in what he liked to call the journey of life. His journey continues through his wife, children and grandchildren. He has two family members currently working at Cardinal Glennon; daughter, Karen and granddaughter, Jennifer. He also had a daughter-in-law, Mary (Jennifer’s mother), who worked at Cardinal Glennon for several years. Cardinal Glennon was named to be the beneficiary of memorial gifts because Mario believed in what Cardinal Glennon accomplishes and in their mission - to provide compassionate medical services to children and families in need.
support
TRIBUTE
Dorothy Akerson
A
s my brother and I were making funeral arrangements for our mother, Dorothy Akerson, the question of donations came up. My brother immediately suggested Cardinal Glennon as the recipient. It turned out he had been thinking a lot about this and felt Cardinal Glennon should be the choice because the institution and the people there have done so much for our family over the years. Our two sons (now 41 and 37 years old) had been to Cardinal Glennon many times for broken arms, cuts, etc. More seriously, our younger son suffered serious, frequent asthma attacks as a child. Panicked trips to the Cardinal Glennon emergency room became the norm. Then six years ago that same son and his wife became parents of a little girl facing all kinds of life-threatening medical problems. Among other things, Camryn was born with three holes in her heart; she needed a tube to drain excess fluid from her head, and some bones in her shoulder and neck were misshapen. Camryn, now 6 years old and all excited about going into first grade, spent the first month of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Cardinal Glennon and has undergone a dozen surgeries at Glennon. Those surgeries and the wonderful care she received from the nurses and doctors are giving her a full, fun life and future. And this year, Camryn is getting to serve as the Glennon Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis. It was only natural to request donations in my mother’s name to Cardinal Glennon, because the people of Cardinal Glennon have always been caring toward her grandchildren and great grandchildren.” “
GIFTS OF Friendship
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center warmly thanks the following benefactors for their gifts of $250 and above designated for specific programs or for the unrestricted Children’s Fund.
Anonymous 1-2-3 Club Abbott Fund Abbott Laboratories Employee Giving Campaign Aflac Mr. Cletus A. Ahrens Alberici Constructors Allen Roofing and Supply Company, Inc. Mr. Allen D. Allred Ameren American Kidney Fund Amgen Amvets Post No. 6 Auxiliary Anders Minkler and Diehl LLP Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Anthem College 48 • Glennon Friends
Armstrong Teasdale LLP AT&T Services, Inc. AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign AXA Foundation Mr. Jordan Ayers Ms. Victoria B. Babu and Mr. David Niswonger Mr. and Mrs. James C. Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Barrath Mr. and Mrs. Greg H. Baumann Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bell Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Beller Benefits Consulting Group Mr. Leo B. Bergeron Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berges Mr. and Mrs. Matthew G. Biffignani
Billiken Soccer Club Ms. Joan M. Bishop Black Sheep Foundation Captain and Mrs. James R. Blum BMO Harris Bank The Boeing Company Dr. Robert E. Bolinske Ms. Mara L. Bollini Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Boushka Ms. Elaine Bowman Mrs. Mary G. Boyd Mr. Brian M. Bozek Ms. Jessica Bradshaw Mr. Edward O. Bramman Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brecklin Mr. and Mrs. James G. Brennan Reverend Don G. Brinkman
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Brockhaus Mr. and Mrs. Frederic E. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Brown Dana Brown Charitable Trust Brown Smith Wallace LLC Mr. Joseph E. Brueggemann Mr. Terry Brumm Mr. David L. Brummer Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Bruno Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Buck Bussen Quarries, Inc. Mrs. Edwina W. Bussmann Buzzi Unicem USA Mr. Robert C. Byrne, Jr. Mr. John F. Byrnes Mr. and Mrs. Anthony J. Caleca Mr. Brad L. Calkins
TRIBUTE
Luke Meatte
B
orn April 6, 1923 in Portageville, Mo., Luke Meatte served in WWII as a fighter pilot, retiring after the war with the rank of Lt. Commander. He married Charlotte McCrate in 1948 and soon after began his 37-year career with Anheuser-Busch. Together he and Charlotte had 14 children. Luke’s ties to Cardinal Glennon began in the 1950s when they moved to St Louis. It began with supporting the hospital at its start and continued throughout the years, with Cardinal Glennon taking care of his many children. Their first experience was difficult, as they stayed by their 7-year-old as he went through surgery to repair a hole in his heart. With 14 children, there were many other opportunities to get to know the staff at Cardinal Glennon, and many ways the staff showed their caring devotion to helping so many kids through some really tough times. Naturally, the many visits made him realize the need to support Cardinal Glennon’s wonderful cause. In addition to their 14 children, they also have 34 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren who helped him enjoy throwing horseshoes, tumbling rocks and Cardinals baseball. He was also active in the shooting sports, was a past board member of the NRA and past member of the Knights of Columbus. Luke passed away on Feb. 23 at the age of 88.
Mr. Thomas W. Capritta Cardinal Glennon Children's Guild Cardinal Health Foundation Carmody MacDonald PC Carmondy, MacDonald, Hilton, Wolf & Keast Representative Russ Carnahan Mr. and Mrs. Matthew L. Carr Mrs. Jill M. Carroll Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Carroll Mrs. Alma Carron Mr. and Mrs. James G. Castellano Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Castellano CELS Enterprises, Inc. Centene Charitable Foundation Centene Management Company LLC Centric Group Cequel III Ms. Rebecca S. Chambers Charter Communications Inc. Children's Miracle Network Children's Tumor Foundation
The Chod Family Foundation Christner, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Clements Dr. Molly Cline Code Consultants, Inc. Ms. Mary F. Coles Collaborative Strategies, Inc. Collins Chapel General Baptist Church Commerce Bank, N.A. Mr. D. Curtis Coonce Mr. and Mrs. Mark Cooper Mr. and Mrs. William G. Copenhaver Dr. Michael G. Correale Miss Mary J. Corrigan Mr. Harold D. Cosma Covidien Mr. Donald W. Cramer Mr. Patrick F. X. Crowley Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Cummins CVS Corporation CVS Pharmacy Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Czajka
TRIBUTE
Antoinette Russo DiManuele
I
n Antoinette Russo DiManuele’s life, there were three things of the utmost importance: her family, her faith and tradition. In her honor and memory, our family hopes to maintain these unfailing guides by which she lived such a long, meaningful and loving life. Antoinette Russo, born in Willisville, Ill., to Sicilian immigrants from the small town of Taormina, Sicily, where the Madonna della Rocca is revered and adored. After immigrating to the U.S., her parents joined other devout Sicilian Catholics to form the Society of the Madonna della Rocca, an organization that raises money for worthy causes. For the last 50 years, the Society has donated its funds to Cardinal Glennon. At age 16, Antoinette married Charles DiManuele, who had immigrated to the United States from Palermo at the age of 27. Sadly, our father passed away in 1966, leaving our mother a widow at age 52. Our family is like many Italian families — very close-knit, with most family gatherings centered around food. Antoinette loved cooking for her family that eventually grew to include four children, 19 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Nothing made my mother happier than to see everyone sit down and enjoy the dinner she had prepared. In keeping with the importance of her faith, our mother established an important tradition within our family. Every year, on the last Sunday of August, my mother, her children and grandchildren attended the Mass celebrated at the medical center chapel in honor of Our Lady, Madonna della Rocca. For as long as I can remember, my mother never missed this occasion, which sometimes fell on her Aug. 27 birthday. Antoinette Russo DiManuele passed away on March 23, 2012, at the age of 98. Although our family has witnessed attendance at the annual Mass growing smaller through the years, we plan to uphold and continue this family tradition in our mother’s honor.
D & S Ranch, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Danis Danis Charitable Trust Danna McKitrick P.C. DAS Acquisition Company LLC Mr. Thomas M. Day, Jr. Mr. Mark D. Deany Deloitte Mr. and Mrs. Mark Demling Mr. and Mrs. George B. Desloge Mr. Jon T. Deuchler and Dr. Teresa L. Andreone DHR International Mrs. Frances C. Dickerson Mr. and Mrs. James M. Didion Dierberg's Markets Diversified Packaging Corporation Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Drury, Sr. T. Drury Contracting, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. William DuBois Mr. Kenneth W. Duenke, II
Eagle Bank Mr. and Mrs. Brian Eaves Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Eggleston Mr. and Mrs. John F. Eilermann Elks Lodge of Florissant #2316 Elsevier Science Emerald Society of Missouri Metropolitan - St. Louis Chapter Emerson Enterprise Bank Enterprise Holdings Foundation Express Scripts, Inc. The Fabick Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Matthew S. Fagin Mr. and Mrs. John T. Farrell Mr. Patrick Fenton Mr. and Mrs. James H. Ferrick, Jr. Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Ms. Debra K. Fickenwirth Fifth Third Bank Final Clean LLC continued on page 50...
Gifts over $250 received from February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 • 49
TRIBUTE
loving
Ed & Loretta Stamm
I
t was December 1936, and their first child was born. It didn’t take long to realize that something was wrong with their baby, and a St. Louis physician, Dr. Wotowa, performed emergency surgery on New Year’s Eve to correct the problem. In 1939, their second child was born, this time with a congenital heart defect. There was no health insurance for a baby with this type of problem, yet they interviewed many physicians, trying to find one who could help. Finally, they met Dr. C. Rollins Hanlon with Firmin Desloge Hospital. Dr. Hanlon was a cardiac surgery pioneer and invented a procedure to treat a congenital heart problem. Dr. Hanlon also initiated the pediatric surgery program in the building of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Because of Dr. Hanlon, this “child” is now 72 years old and is a retired teacher. The Stamms were again in awe of Cardinal Glennon when one of their granddaughters worked there as a surgical nurse for more
GIFTS OF Friendship ...continued from page 49
Financial Management Partners Mr. Gary W. Findlay First National Bank Mr. and Mrs. Gary D. Fisher Fleishman Hillard Inc. The Fleur de Lis Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Fogarty, Jr. Mrs. and Mr. Kristin J. Folkl-Kaburakis Franklin County Concrete LLC Mr. and Mrs. John Freitag Mr. Bill Frier Mr. Albert J. Froesel Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Galli Ms. Mary Carolyn Gamache Gatesworth Residents Association Gateway Combined Federal Campaign Mr. Herbert J. Gebhart, Jr. Genentech, Inc. 50 • Glennon Friends
than 10 years. They also saw one of their great-grandchildren treated there for several years and now have a great-great-grandchild being treated for a congenital heart condition. The Stamms were blessed with three children, four grandchildren, 10 greatgrandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Ed Stamm worked three jobs for many years in order to pay for the health care of his family, while Loretta handled raising their three children and running the household. Together, they were loving parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents who continued
“...their influence and life story should reflect their values and their thankfulness for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center...” to give to others and their community throughout their lives. It is only fitting that even after their passing, their influence and life story should reflect their values and their thankfulness for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, and hopefully other families faced with health issues of their children may find an easier path to their front door. The Stamms were married for 72 years when Loretta passed away at 92. Ed lived another seven years to age 99, missing her but still volunteering to help others less fortunate.
Gifts of $250 and above are listed. To see full listing, visit glennon.org
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Genovese Reverend John J. Ghio Ms. Carol A. Giles-Straight Mrs. Peggy A. Gilligan The Goddard School Good Shepherd Parish (Hillsboro) Great Southern Bank Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, P.C. Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Grossmann Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Gund Mr. Mark A. Guethle Mr. and Mrs. Keith E. Gunther Mr. Frank J. Guyol, Jr. Mrs. Kathleen M. Haferkamp Ms. Janet F. Hagedorn Mr. and Mrs. William Hailstone
Hallmark Stone Company Acquisition LLC Ms. Cari Hampton Mr. Edward J. Hanna Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. Mr. Terry W. Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Gary F. Hartnell Mr. Allen F. Hauge Mrs. Michelle Hawk Mr. Edward A. Haydon Mr. George Hayward Mr. Robert M. Heaney and Dr. Mary Susan Heaney Mr. and Mrs. John F. Hefele Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Heinz Heitzig Farms Mr. and Mrs. Edward T. Hempstead Mr. Joseph Hendrickson Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M. Henke
Mr. Robert C. Henke Mrs. Faith Herbers Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Herbig Hillerich and Bradsby Co. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hilton Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoffman Ms. Colleen Hogan Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hogan Holcim (US) Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Matt Holliday Mr. Chris Howard Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hubbard Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Huelsmann Ms. Marion Hug Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hunt Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP Mr. Mike Hylla Impact Group, LLC Mrs. Ethel Innello
TRIBUTE
Robert Bentrup Robert "Bob" Bentrup was a retired beer bottler for AnheuserBusch, husband to wife and best friend Nancy for nearly 45 years, and father of eight children who blessed him with ten grandkids. Obviously, Bob had an affinity for kids and he was a great father and grandpa. In 2006, Bob's grandson, Nick, was diagnosed with a very rare genetic immune-deficiency condition (SCIDS) when he was just 3 months old. Nick was treated by a multitude of great doctors and nurses at Cardinal Glennon, and after a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his older brother Alex and a total of six months at Cardinal Glennon, Nick was sent home. For another four and half years Nick received monthly infusions of immune globulin to build up his defenses. Fast forward to 2012 and Nick is a healthy thriving 6-year-old able to do all the things his big brother can do. Bob took a special interest in Nick while he was going through his ordeal and was always eager to hear good news about him. Bob was deeply grateful for the specialized attention and professionals who cared for his little buddy. So when Dad passed away we knew that Cardinal Glennon would be exactly where he would have wanted any donations in his honor to be directed. Bob was loved by many and will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Iron County C-4 School District Isaac's Rays of Hope J. F. Electric, Inc. Jackson County Farm Bureau Ms. Eileen Janey JDF Auto Jefferson County Fox Hunters Association Mr. Randy Jenkins Mrs. Mary Anne Jerabek Ms. Joy W. Jesse JHB Properties, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Johnson The Jordan Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kaestner Kaiser Electric Inc. Ms. Frances Kampen Ms. Patricia E. Karraker Ms. Virginia Karwoski Kash J. Dean Memorial Fund Mr. Raymond E. Keefe Mr. J. G. Keller Kellogg's
Ms. Tina Kelly John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Kenny Reverend Paul J. Kersgieter Mr. and Mrs. James F. Kick Kienstra Enterprises, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Leo P. Kilcullin Mrs. Ruth C. Killeen King Filtration Technologies, Inc. The J.W. and Mildred A. Kisling Charitable Foundation Hampton-Midtown Kiwanis Club Mr. Anthony A. Kloster Knights of Columbus Knights of Columbus Columbian Charities Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus Council 2869 Knights of Columbus Council 2964 Knights Of Columbus Council 800 Knights of Columbus Council Saint Pius X Council 3789
TRIBUTE
Harry Keough
H
arry Keough is remembered as a local soccer hero to many, but more importantly he is remembered as a loving father, grandfather and husband. He is loved and survived by his wife Alma, his three children and seven grandchildren. Harry devoted his life to his family, helping others and to one of his greatest passions, soccer. The soccer legend was a catalyst in the 1950 U.S.A. World Cup team that went on to beat England, the assumed champion. After the game of his life, Harry devoted himself to teaching others the skills that he possessed. Harry went on to be the head coach of the Saint Louis University Billikens and after retirement was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. Before Harry battled Alzheimer’s late in his life, he was known for his memory that helped him deliver mail to everyone on his route. However, those that Harry impacted were not only on his mail route. Harry became deeply connected with SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center after a player’s daughter received care from the medical center. Harry saw how his player’s family had been impacted by Cardinal Glennon and wanted to support the medical center in his family’s honor. Harry is still giving back to others by donating his brain to Washington University Memory and Aging Project and his body to Saint Louis University.
Knights of Columbus Crusaders Council 11146 Knights of Columbus Father William Pezold Council 7198 Knights of Columbus Highland Council 1580 Knights of Columbus Illinois State Council Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Knights of Columbus Monsignor Albert L. Jerome Council 12799 Knights of Columbus Newton Local Assembly #1554 Knights of Columbus Olney Council #1352 Knights of Columbus St. Mary's Mrs. Jane F. Knobbe Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. Knobbe Mrs. Melba Knuffke Kohl's Department Stores Mr. and Mrs. James G. Koman Mr. Frederic Kotcher
Mr. Richard F. Kraner Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Krausz Mr. Jacob B. Krebsbach Reverend Howard K. Krick Ms. Kathy A. Kuhlenbeck Mr. Leo Kutz Mr. and Mrs. Craig E. LaBarge Laclede Gas Company Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Lamers Ms. Angela Lauer Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Lebrun Mr. Leonard LeClaire Mrs. E. Desmond Lee Mr. Steven L. Leinicke Lemay Concrete Block Company Mrs. Lynn Lenker Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leonard Mr. and Mrs. James Leonhard Lewis, Rice and Fingersh, L.C. Liberty Mutual Foundation Match Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Liefer continued on page 52...
Gifts over $250 received from February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 • 51
TRIBUTE
Julia Newhouse
J
ulia Newhouse (1922-2012) of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., was a very passionate and loving lady, always putting others before herself. Julia’s main care and concerns in life were her three children, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and four great-greatgrandchildren. She had a love for all children and was a daycare provider for many over the years. She also sat many nice days on the front porch swing with neighbor kids that enjoyed visiting with her. Children loved Julia as much as she loved all of them. Throughout the 90 years of Julia’s life, she made sure to support programs, sports, schools or hospitals that benefited children. A while back, as she was having a daily conversation with her daughter Mary, Julia brought up the various circumstances where several of her grandchildren have gone to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center over the years for testing, concussions caused in football, broken bones, eye surgeries, UTIs, muscle disorders, or special needs. She was always so thankful for the great care given to each of them while at the hospital. Her grandchildren, regardless of age, were her pride and joy. She was very happy to know that a hospital like Cardinal Glennon would take such good care of them. It was then that Julia decided she would like for memorials to be made in her honor to Cardinal Glennon at the time of her passing. Unfortunately that time of passing came on May 27, 2012. Julia’s family fulfilled her wish and made a donation in memory of her to Cardinal Glennon. They knew she wouldn’t want it any other way. Her daughter, Mary, said, “We feel blessed to give to a hospital like Cardinal Glennon, knowing they will provide excellent care to children. Mom was always concerned about a child’s life and would be happy to know with the donation that she is helping some children out.” Julia’s family hopes that this may encourage others to donate to such a wonderful hospital for children as well.
GIFTS OF Friendship ...continued from page 51
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Lifka Lisa's Bar and Restaurant Mr. Mark Livingston Lodging Hospitality Management Lohr Distributing Company, Inc. Dr. Jessica R. Luitjohan Mr. and Mrs. David B. Luker Mr. and Mrs. Patrick G. Lyons Ms. Shirley J. Macaron Macy's Foundation Macy's Midwest Ms. Sandra L. Mahoney Mr. and Mrs. Gene Maier Mr. and Mrs. Rick R. Majerus Mr. and Mrs. Herman G. Mangold Mardi Gras, Inc. The Marian Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Martin, Jr. 52 • Glennon Friends
TRIBUTE
Sandy Berra
S
andy Berra smiled easily and loved making those around her smile. She was passionate and excitable. She loved her friends, co-workers, and most of all, her husband Tom of 45 years and her children and grandchildren. Sandy was 65 years old when she unexpectedly died on April 16 of a massive stroke. She has been sorely missed. To honor Sandy, her family decided to ask mourners to direct memorial contributions to the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. Cardinal Glennon had been close to Sandy’s heart for many years. In 1975, Sandy had a difficult birth of a son, Bradley. He was taken shortly after birth to Cardinal Glennon, where he received specialized care. Unfortunately, Bradley passed away two days later. Sandy, however, always appreciated the care and support that was provided to Bradley and the Berra family. Years later, Sandy’s grandson, Tommy also spent several days after a difficult birth in the NICU. This time, fortunately, the outcome was positive, and Sandy’s grandson has thrived and is now attending college. Through the generosity of Sandy’s family and many friends, Cardinal Glennon has received over $5,000 in Sandy’s honor. She would have been proud and humbled by this outpouring of love. Sandy’s family is thankful to all who gave in her name and hopes others will consider Cardinal Glennon when they find themselves in similar circumstances.
Gifts of $250 and above are listed. To see full listing, visit glennon.org
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Maurer Ms. Joanna May Reverend Joseph V. Maynard Mr. and Mrs. William J. McDermott Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McVey Mr. and Mrs. Terrence J. Mehan Merck Partnership for Giving Metro Materials, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Meyer Miss Lillian V. Miceli Mid-America Transplant Services Midwest BankCentre Mr. and Mrs. Allen G. Minks Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign Missouri Valley Conference, Inc. Kelly Mitchell Group, Inc. Mrs. Sherry C. Mitchler Ms. Stephanie Moll
The Monsanto Fund Monsignor Sullivan Benefit Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Moore Mr. James C. Moranville Dr. and Mrs. Mark V. Morrell Mr. Mark Mower Mr. David Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Rick Navarre Mr. Patrick A. Nero Nextemps Staffing, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nicolais Mr. Richard G. Nolan Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Nonnenkamp Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Noonan Nordstrom Notre Dame Pre-School Nu Way Concrete Forms, Inc. Oakwood Medical Management V, LLC Old Forty, LLC
Dr. and Mrs. R. Joseph Olk Optima Graphics Mr. and Mrs. Bob Osterholt Otolaryngic Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Packaging Concepts, Inc. Painting Solutions Mr. James R. Paynter Peabody Energy Peabody Energy Matching Gifts Mr. and Mrs. David Peacock Ms. Kristen Perez Ms. Mary Ellen Perez Ms. Anne Perkins Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Perotti Pestshield, LLC Dr. and Mrs. John R. Peter The Pfizer Foundation
Spotlight Jan Cocayne GIFTS OF Bequests SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center warmly thanks the following benefactors for their gifts of $250 and above designated for specific programs or for the unrestricted Children’s Fund.
Estate of Martha T. Allhoff Estate of Ruth C. Brink Estate of Bernadine Brinker Estate of Anne H. Chase Estate of Dr. John Coughlin Estate of Charles August Danker Reverend Estate of Daniel E. Donovan Estate of Dora Emnett Estate of Allene Etherton Estate of Clara S. and Clarence S. Friedman Estate of Lenore C. Hohlt Estate of Joseph P. Lentine
Estate of Hubert P. Macklin Estate of Marco Matranga Estate of Mary Nunemaker Estate of Margaret M. Pfeiffer Estate of Grace Reavis Estate of Robert Schlueter Estate of Sidney and Sylvia Souers Estate of Audrey J. Steinfeld Estate of John Steinfeld Estate of Norbert and Hazel Stoltman Estate of Delphine Theisman Estate of Rosemary Vitale Estate of Richard P. Yanes
We regret the passing of the following Glennon Society Members February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012
INAL G L
E E N N O L
G
N
’S
Y
O
C I E T L A
love my job and especially my co-workers; they made it worthwhile.” ~ Jan Cocayne Jan Cocayne graduated from Notre Dame High School in St. Louis, received her RN diploma from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, and then completed her BSN at Saint Louis University while working at Cardinal Glennon. July 2012 was her 35th year at Cardinal Glennon. She spent the last 25 years splitting her time as a Certified Poison Information Provider at the Missouri Regional Poison Center at Cardinal Glennon and as a staff nurse in Same Day Surgery. In 2007, she began working Fridays at the Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Surgery Center at St. Anthony’s. Health care is constantly changing and Jan has seen many changes at Cardinal Glennon over the past 35 years. The staff, facility and technology have grown since she began her nursing career in 1977 and the changes have brought many challenges. The people of Cardinal Glennon and their dedication to the children and their families are what have impressed her the most. “I have been privileged to have an outstanding group of co-workers in all the departments of the hospital where I have worked.” Jan currently lives in St. Paul, Mo., with her husband Dennis Cocayne who is an Oral Surgeon in St. Charles, Mo. They were married in 2011 and have seven grown children; the youngest three are finishing their last year of college and graduate school. They also welcomed their first grandson in January of this year. They have been blessed with a wonderful and healthy family. They also enjoy spending time with family, traveling, kayaking, walking, and Jan attends Jazzercise four to five times weekly. Jan still manages to get together with friends she has made at Cardinal Glennon through the years. She has made many forever friends there. “I will be forever grateful and I hope I have made a difference in the lives I have touched through my many years there.” ~ Jan Cocayne
C
R
N
EN
TER
ON
S
LD
E
Mr. Darryl Piasecki Mrs. Dolores B. Pilla Mr. and Mrs. Donimic Polizzi Ms. Gloria J. Polston Mr. Emily Popovik Mr. and Mrs. Linus J. Portman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Postal The Herman T. and Phenie R. Pott Foundation Precision Transport of MO, Inc. Premium Retail Services Mr. Tom Price Mrs. Lois L. Rajewski Rally Foundation Mr. James B. Rascher Mr. and Mrs. W. Thomas Reeves Mr. Gerald J. Reidy Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Reinert Mrs. Carol J. Reinhardt Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth W. Reller Restaurant Charities, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. George E. Rich
RD
N
SSM
A
N
C
John Schwarzmann Jennie Fassi Tate William Wolf
CHI
Virginia Albrecht Karleen Arnsmeyer Edward Chrisinger Mary Cleghorn Margaret Counts Gordon Davies Daniel Donovan John Holland Doris Jung Kathleen Rahr Father Charles Ruff Evelyn K. Sanders
I ”
MEDIC
Mr. Clint N. Riechman Ms. Joan E. Right Mr. and Mrs. Jerry E. Ritter Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Ritter Andrea Rizzo Foundation Robert Family Holdings Incorporated Mrs. Connie Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Ross Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rothschild Ms. Jane C. Rougeau Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Rubery Dr. and Mrs. Martin Rudloff Mr. and Mrs. William C. Rusnack Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Ryan Dr. and Mrs. H. Farouk Sadiq Saint Louis Abbey Saint Louis Cardinals, L.L.C. Saint Louis Dairy Council Saint Louis Rams Saks Fifth Avenue Mr. and Mrs. James A. Sandfort
Sansone Law LLC Mr. John R. Sares Mrs. Christine Savage Mr. Dale J. Schillinger Dr. and Mrs. Martin P. Schmidt Mr. James Schneithorst School District of Washington Ms. Kristie Schulz Schwab Charitable Fund Scottrade Scramble For Kids Mrs. Karen Seaton Mr. Frank C. Seeber Mr. Arthur Seyer Shanahan Family Foundation Mr. Stephen J. Shane Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Shaughnessy Sherman Fairchild Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Eliot Simon Mr. Albert L. Simpkins David Sisk Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Sluhan
Mr. Burr Smith Mr. Harley M. Smith Mr. Michael W. Smith Mr. Robert V. Smith Sodexo, Inc. Soccer Master Solutia, Inc. Southwestern Hearing Aid Company, Inc. John L. Spencer Brickwork, Inc. Mr. Brent Spicuzza Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Spinner Reverend Denis R. Spitzley Sportservice Mr. and Mrs. G. David Sprehe, Jr. SSM Health Care SSM Health Care - Saint Louis Ms. Julia M. Stanley Mr. and Mrs. James Staub Ms. Katie Stein Mrs. Mary F. Stevenson Mr. and Mrs. David J. Stockman continued on page 54...
Gifts over $250 received from February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 • 53
Spotlight
F
amily members of a St. Gabriel the Archangel men's ACTS (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) retreat team helped sort toiletries collected as part of their Day of Service project. The toiletries, such as toothpaste, mouthwash and shampoo will be used to assist families who stay overnight with their children at the medical center. The ACTS retreat is a three-day and three-night Catholic lay retreat presented by fellow parishioners. The day of service allows members to fulfill their need to answer Christ's call to servanthood. Thanks to all of the St. Gabe's parishioners who sacrificed their time and money collecting items for our families.
GIFTS OF Friendship ...continued from page 53
Mr. and Mrs. Francis A. Stroble Mr. and Mrs. James M. Strubberg Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Strunk Suddenlink Communications Reverend James M. Sullivan Mr. John Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. John R. Sundy Mr. and Mrs. Timothy K. Swank SyllogisTeks T & M Excavating Company, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tadlock Mr. William Talbert Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Tarin Mr. and Mrs. James C. Tegethoff J.W. Terrill, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Steven Tharpe Mr. and Mrs. William P. Thompson Thompson Coburn LLP 54 • Glennon Friends
Spotlight Lindsey Meglio
T
here are few occasions more elaborately planned or highly charged with emotion and sentimentality than a wedding. The occasion becomes even more poignant when, during childhood, the bride’s life was challenged by a disease that threatened the very opportunity for this day. For two years, Lindsey Meglio and Gordon Gale, MD, pediatric hematologist/oncologist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, fought Lindsey’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma — and won. To no one’s surprise, Dr. Gale traveled to Chicago this summer for Lindsey’s June 9 wedding. “Dr. Gale is part of our family, like a second dad. He not only saved my life, but became a great friend to me, my parents and my brother. There’s no other doctor like him, he tells you the truth — even if it hurts. But, he also has a goofy side — hence the hat!” Lindsey says. “The hat” is Dr. Gale’s Goofy hat, custom-made on the Disney World trip Lindsey’s family took prior to her stem cell transplant. “I knew he would hate it, but secretly love it,” she says. Dr. Gale wore the hat for annual check-ups — even throughout Lindsey’s college years. “It’s not just a funny hat, but a special reminder of the bond we share. I told him he had to wear it to our wedding,” Lindsey continues. As Lindsey walked down the aisle, Dr. Gale stood and donned his hat. “Dr. Gale has been there for me through my darkest times and my brightest times. We’ve had quite a journey together and it just keeps going,” Lindsey says.
Gifts of $250 and above are listed. To see full listing, visit glennon.org
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Thornton Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Trautman TRUIST Twin Lake Trucking, Ltd. UMB Bank of Saint Louis, N.A. Ms. Jane Unger Union Pacific Corporation Upper End Properties US Bancorp Foundation Mr. Thomas Vaccaro Vee-Jay Cement Contracting Company Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Veidt VFW New Madrid County Memorial #7183 Visitation Academy R. V. Wagner, Inc. Mr. Dennis Walkenhorst Mr. Patrick J. Walsh
Walsh and Associates, Inc. Mr. Thomas P. Walter Mr. and Mrs. John D. Warner, Jr. Dr. David Wathen Mr. Donald V. Webb Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Reverend Gerard R. Welsch Mr. Shaun Welsh Western Ready-Mix, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. James F. Whalen Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Wiegers Mr. and Mrs. Christopher A. Williams Mr. Jeffrey S. Wilson Dr. Warren J. Wimmer Ms. Jaye Winkelman Mrs. Mildred L. Winscott
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wisor Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Witterschein Mr. Leonard A. Woker Mrs. Dorothy Wolf Wolken Dental Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Woods Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Woracek World Wide Technology Foundation Mr. Don L. Wroblewski Mrs. Irene E. Wuertz Mr. James H. Wuller Mr. and Mrs. John D. Yingling Ylang-Ylang Jason York Photography Mrs. Karen Zahn Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Zimmermann Zoltek Corporation
t
Spotlight Kyler Demsar
K
yler was born Feb. 9, 2011, with a cleft palate, small chin and slightly recessed jaw. He was having issues breathing, and doctors decided he needed to go to the Cardinal Glennon NICU. The transport team came right away to get our li’l man. They were so kind and reassuring. The next morning I went straight to see my baby boy! All seemed to be good so far, except his eating. He developed acid reflux, so it was a struggle to try and feed him a bottle. Dr. Lin, the cleft-craniofacial surgeon, explained that Kyler needed surgery to repair the palate, but not until around a year or so. He said that the best thing to do is let him grow. Kyler had a very mild case of Pierre-Robin Sequence, but he was healthy! The NICU doctors, nurses, therapists and clerical staff were kind and caring. I worked with the feeding therapist to get Kyler to eat, but he wasn’t keeping up and started losing weight. They put a feeding tube in his nose when he was 2 days old, and it was apparent this would be his main source of nutrition. Kyler was healthy, thank God, but the feeding issue was keeping him in the hospital. The team decided we could take Kyler home, but that I needed to know how to place and care for his feeding tube. The nursing staff educated me and assured me that I could do it! When we brought him home at 26 days old, he had a feeding tube and had to sleep reclined. He was such a snuggle bear! I always held him to make sure he was not having trouble breathing, to keep him reclined because of his acid reflux and to just love on him! At 6 months we had ear tubes placed and, miraculously, he stopped throwing up! He still had his feeding tube and never took a bottle. The feeding team suggested that we hook up with a program called Early Interventions and start working with a therapist. I am thankful for the staff at Cardinal Glennon for giving me the information. It has paid off! When Kyler was 10 months, we had a permanent feeding tube placed. Kyler had come so far, but
we still had the cleft palate surgery to get through, scheduled for just a couple weeks after his first birthday! We felt so blessed and wanted to have a big, first birthday celebration to celebrate his life! We thought about all that Cardinal Glennon had done for us, and came up with the idea that, in lieu of gifts, have our friends and family donate to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation in honor of Kyler. It was a huge success! We are so grateful to all our loving friends and family! We were blessed to have insurance and support from our friends and family, but know that not everyone is as fortunate. By giving back and donating to the Foundation, we knew they could help other families. Kyler needed only one surgery, and it was a success! Since then, he’s started eating and drinking from a cup! He is almost 18 months and is doing great! Climbs, runs and gets into everything! Kyler was a blessing, and we can’t imagine life without him. We cannot thank Cardinal Glennon enough for the exceptional care they gave and continue to give to our li’l man!
thankful Spotlight Katie Kearney
Spotlight
D
rew, Josh and Jenna Steinhubl love getting presents for Christmas and birthdays. While most kids would never admit to having too many toys, when the siblings saw that they still hadn't opened half of their presents from last year, they knew just what to do with them -- donate them to sick and injured children. What a great example to set for all of their friends and classmates!
K
atie Kearney, Miss Missouri 2012, won the Miss USA contestant high heeled wedge run in Las Vegas in June. Winning the race and $2,000, Katie chose SSM Cardinal Glennon as her charity of choice."
To view a complete list of gifts received from February 1, 2012, to July 31, See the List 2012, visit
glennon.org and click on the
WAYS TO GIVE
WAYS TO GIVE bubble. GLENNON FRIENDS – GIFTS RECIEVED
Gifts over $250 received from February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012 • 55
Lindsey Meglio
W
ith persistence, confidence and impassioned spirit, Lindsey Meglio works hard to make the miracles in her life happen. When diagnosed with widespread Hodgkin’s lymphoma on her 11th birthday, Lindsey didn’t even know what scan and see cancer was, and frankly, was more concerned with keeping up her grades, making soccer practice and getting on with life than accommodating the LINDSEY MEGLIO inconveniences of her treatment plan. Three months post-treatment (on her 12th birthday), Lindsey relapsed. With a recurrence so
1994 HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA PATIENT SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION PRODUCER
soon, her prognosis was grave. The cancer was in her bone marrow, and treatment included chemotherapy, radiation therapy and transfusion of her own stem cells. Lindsey had a 30 to 50 percent chance of survival and, through it all, the Meglios waited and hoped for a miracle — right along with her care team. Lindsey’s optimism and faith, combined with the care at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, gave her the miracle she needed. As the medical center’s then-Children’s Miracle Network Ambassador, she assisted with telethon broadcasts and served as master of ceremonies for the Bob Costas Cancer Center ground-breaking ceremony. With natural confidence behind a microphone, “That is when I started thinking about journalism,” Lindsey says.
She earned a University of Missouri broadcast journalism degree and headed to Chicago for video production work. True to her passion, she landed a research job with The Oprah Winfrey Show. “From the time I was a little girl, I wanted to work for Oprah Winfrey,” she says. With that same persistence, confidence and impassioned spirit, Lindsey proved her professional skills, moved up the ranks and is now coproducer for Oprah’s Next Chapter, a primetime Oprah Winfrey Network interview show. “No question. This is my dream job,” she says. On June 9 Lindsey married her “best friend” Eric Nenninger on a dream-come-true wedding day she describes as “the time of my life. It was such a magical, loving day.” This beautiful bride,
Lindsey and Eric Nenninger
successful television producer and victor over stage four-B Hodgkin’s lymphoma is sticking with that persistence, confidence and impassioned spirit, and the miracles seem to keep happening. “I pinch myself all the time — I’m living my dream life,” she says.
PATIENT Peggy Luesse 1958 SURGICAL SSM CARDINAL GLENNON NURSE
O
ne of the few memories Peggy Luesse recalls from her first stay at Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children in the late 1950s was looking down wistfully at her older sister cheerfully waving on the sidewalk below. Today, Peggy’s experiences at the medical center are very different from those during childhood. As an Emergency Department nurse, it’s Peggy who’s caring for and healing others. Coming full circle — back to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in November 2011 — was a process in which Peggy believes God had a hand.
56 • Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
The early ’90s found this mother of four pursuing a nursing career. She began working in 1995 —in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SSM Cardinal Glennon — but switched to adult oncology, emergency department, flight nurse and, most recently, “travel nurse” working three-month emergency department contracts in various cities. “I’ve worked all across the U.S. — from New York to L.A.,” Peggy says. Although she’d experienced SSM Cardinal Glennon as a patient and nurse, Peggy was overwhelmed when she accompanied daughter Angie and 1 1/2-year-old grandson Nick to the medical center for emergency care. “He was having respiratory problems, and
we decided to take him to Cardinal Glennon. There was such compassion and caring— it was like God was involved. We’d never experienced that before,” Peggy says. Angie switched Nick’s medical care to SSM Cardinal Glennon, and she and Peggy now share their gratitude as
Glennon Ambassadors. With Nick’s extensive medical needs, Peggy says, “I wish I’d have had someone to help us through his surgery. The hard part was not having hope that it could be fixed. With the Ambassador Program, we can be there for another parent: That’s what I want to bring to the table.” Blessed with six grandchildren, Peggy traded her travel nurse career for a local emergency department position. “The nurse recruiter called and said, ‘How about Cardinal Glennon?’ I hadn’t worked pediatrics since the NICU — but I thought kids need the very best, and I’m a good nurse. Why not?” Peggy says. “Come to find out, I get so much more back from them than I could ever give. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Peggy Luesse with Emergency Department patient Gabriel Holmes
October 1, 2012 Dear Friends of the Archdiocese, It is with a grateful heart and sincere appreciation that I am able to report some fabulous news! The 2012 Glennon Sunday effort across the Archdiocese of St. Louis was one of the most successful on record. This annual appeal, which has been supporting SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center for more than 50 years, saw mor e donations at nearly every parish in the regio n. Some parishes increased giving by 200% from a year ago. This year on Glennon Sunday weekend (June 3-4), Catholics in our region mad e a tremendous statement that we not only value hum an life in our words, but in our actions. Supporting this nationally recognized Catholic pediatric medical center, you are helping to adva nce medicine for children throughout our region. SSM Cardinal Glennon is doing incredible adult stem cell research, early intervention fetal care to help unb orn children and developing specialty treatment programs for over 50 diseases, cancers and illne sses. As Chairman of the Board of Governors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, I want to sincerely thank all the pastors, priests, deacons, volu nteers and the many grateful families who made this year’s Glennon Sunday collection a tremendo us success, raising in excess of $470,00 0 to date, one generous gift at a time. We expect that number to grow as we continue to receive parish collection s. On behalf of all the children and fam ilies that will be touched and healed by your generosity, we thank you! I pray that you will neve r need the services of this amazing pedi atric medical center, but if you ever do, Glen non Sunday proves that you have the support, love and prayers of hundreds of thousands of Catholics in our commun ity. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson Archbishop of St. Louis Chairman, Board of Governors Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
Archbishop Robert Carlson with SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center President Sherlyn Hailstone.
NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 2412
Published by Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
3800 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 577-5605 • 1-800-269-0552 email: info@glennon.org glennon.org
twitter.com@cardinalglennon facebook.com/GlennonFoundation youtube.com/GlennonFoundation
CHECK BOX IF APPROPRIATE: My name is misspelled. My address is incorrect. I received more than one copy of Glennon Magazine. I no longer wish to receive Glennon Magazine. Please clip this address panel and mail it to us, noting your request.
Get in on the Magic DONATE $50 AND RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT at over 275 merchants from ts Oct. 26 – Nov. 4, 2012. rchan 5 me
at 27
Best of all,100% of the card purchase benefits the kids at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.
See details on page 28 on how to get your Glennon Card today!