Country Day Community Integral Part of Launching WARD’S Foundation

In April 2020, Caroline McGuire Winslett ’04 and her husband, Trey, received the news that any parent dreads. Their precious infant, Ward, had a rare and serious disease called Gaucher’s Disease. The type of Gaucher’s Disease Ward had affects one in two million individuals.

Ward ultimately lost his battle at just 13 months old. Caroline and Trey have since poured that same amount of love and determination into easing the burden for other families whose children are battling a rare disease. In January 2021, the Winsletts established WARD’S Foundation (Working to Advance Rare Diseases Support) as a way to honor their son and also ease the burden of other families going through a similar experience.

WARD’S Foundation is rooted in the mission of educating, supporting, and improving the overall patient experience for families facing a rare disease diagnosis. While not all rare diseases are life limiting, they are the leading cause of serious medical issues for children, exceeding cancer or heart conditions.

We talk about being “Bucs for Life,” and I’ve seen that come to fruition through Ward’s precious life and legacy in so many powerful ways. From dozens of Country Day Fund donations in Ward’s honor just weeks after his diagnosis, to the incredible coming together of members of the community to launch WARD’S Foundation, I don’t think there’s a stronger community of parents, alums, and students on earth.

--Lee Norelli Pedersen ’04

Within months of creating the Foundation, Caroline and Trey assembled a Board of Directors of committed professionals and friends to help advocate, fundraise, and guide this important work. Caroline has always remained deeply connected and involved with the Country Day community as a student and as an alumna, and it is no surprise that her Country Day family has been an integral part of launching WARD’S Foundation. In fact, 10 of the 13 Board members have a direct tie to Country Day.

Caroline says, “One of the most important things we learned is that when a rare disease strikes, it takes a village. The Charlotte Country Day School village has been instrumental in not only helping us get through our darkest days, but also key in helping us launch WARD’S Foundation. It is safe to say that the Country Day community has been critical in helping us refine our mission and vision for the Foundation as well as helping to gather the broader community support we need to bring our vision to life.”

Just over one year after the foundation was established, WARD’S Foundation made a $1M commitment to Atrium Health Foundation to help further advance the care of rare disease patients.

When it opens in 2024, the Ward Winslett Center for Complex and Rare Diseases at Levine Children’s Hospital will enable the team to build upon its core staff, emphasizing communication, quality, operational metrics, and clinical and family support for families grappling with rare diseases.

In the meantime, Caroline and Trey press on in their commitment, hosting fundraising events, sharing their story, and nurturing other families dealing with hard journeys ahead of them.

We know that Ward’s legacy will always live on through the impact his parents are making for so many. Learn more at wardsfoundation.org.