2021 Children's Medical Center Foundation Annual Report by Children's Medical Center Foundation

2021 Year in Review

INDIVIDUALLY, WE’RE STRONG. TOGETHER, WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE. SM

Through the ups and downs of 2021, one thing remained steadfast: your support of Children’s Health℠.

Through the ups and downs of 2021, one thing remained steadfast: your support of Children’s Health.

VISIT US ONLINE

hank you for joining us in our mission to make life better for children. We’ve made an exciting change this year and moved the donor listings to our expanding digital annual report. To see the donors who stood alongside us in 2021, just scan the code.

childrensannualreport2021.com

INDIVIDUALLY, WE’RE STRONG. TOGETHER, WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE. SM

IN 2021, THE GENEROSITY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT WAS

A WELCOME BEACON OF HOPE

ll of us had hoped for a brighter year than what we previously faced in 2020 — a light at the end of the tunnel as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect us and those we love. Yet, 2021 brought additional challenges as many of us shifted our work and how we do business. Our children’s schools adjusted to the new norms of educating within a pandemic. Even the simple pleasures of gathering with friends and family, especially during the holidays, continued to be altered. But at Children’s Health, our mission to make life better for children never wavered. And neither did your commitment to us. As we navigated the choppy waters of 2021, the generosity of the human spirit was a beacon of hope. A league of people, from children and their families to team members and donors, rose up to create an unstoppable force fighting for the patients at Children’s Health. You became the Red Balloon League, where our individual strengths combined to create a league of extraordinary care. Within the pages of this annual report, you’ll read more about the Red Balloon League featuring inspiring stories of these superheroes. You’ll notice a common thread throughout the stories — the word “together.” Just as the Red Balloon League united us in support of Children’s Health, together we achieved key milestones in 2021: from celebrating our 10th anniversary of scientific and medical advances at Children’s Research Institute, to the groundbreaking for the expansion of Children’s Medical Center Plano, to hitting the ball out of the park again for Children’s Health on North Texas Giving Day. We couldn’t do it without you, because — “Individually, We’re Strong. Together, We’re Unstoppable!” Thank you for being a bright light for us, and for all of the patients and families at Children’s Health.

Christopher Durovich President & CEO Children’s Health

Brent E. Christopher President Children’s Medical Center Foundation

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION

CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER DALLAS OPERATING DIVISION

C H AI R

Robert E. Morgan, D.D.S. Randall Muck Burk Murchison Jan Myers Matt Nunley Connie O'Neill Teresa Parravano Chris Patrick Pamela Dealey Petty John T. Pickens Mary Martha Pickens Mike Pickens Claude B. Prestidge, M.D. Deborah R. Price, Au.D. Brad Ramsey Deborah Raynor Carlotta Rhoades Lisa Rocchio Sheri Rosen Betty Schultz Debbie Scripps Ric Scripps John R. Sears, Jr. Michael Seay Amanda Shufeldt Michael Silverman Mary Louise Sinclair Ellis Skinner, II Frank O. Sloan Joan Smith Sandra Snyder Miguel Solis Barbara Stuart Mersina Stubbs Smokey Swenson Michael Tanner Richard Terrell John P. Thompson, Jr. Kacy Tolleson Cordelia Tullous Kelsey Warren Jimmy Westcott Margaret Williams Mark Zacheis

CHAIR

D I R EC TOR S EM ERI TI

C H A I R E M E R I TU S

Rebecca Egelston Caso

DIR ECTORS John L. Adams Ashley Arnold Kim Askew Marilyn Augur Girish Bachani Jill Bee Sheila Beuerlein George Billingsley Cordelia Boone John J. Carona Bill Carter Christie Carter Rebecca Egelston Caso Marie Crowe R. Brooks Cullum, Jr. Scott Dabney Ann Delatour Carolyn B. Dickson Allison Doyle Sally Dutter Sandra Estess Chase Evans Cole Evans Fredye Factor Susan Farris Steve Folsom Kelli Ford Linda Gibbons Courtney Gilbert Leslie Greco Steven M. Gruber Randi N. Halsell Juli Harrison Donna Ivy Gene Jones Joe Jouvenal Kari Kerns J. Peter Kline Amy Korenvaes Harlan Korenvaes Joyce Lacerte Katie Lavie C.S. Lee Anne Logan Karen Matthews Lynn McBee Jill McClung P. Mike McCullough Gail M. McDonald Melanie Medanich Katy Miller Kyle Miller Kristin Mitchell

Ann Goddard Corrigan H. Leslie Moore, M.D. Gifford Touchstone

VOT I N G E X OF F I CI O M EM BER S Christopher J. Durovich John Eagle Ed Heffernan Thomas A. Montgomery

Thomas A. Montgomery

DI R E C TO R S Anne Bavier Robbie Briggs Sylvia Cespedes Matthew M. Davis Thomas A. Montgomery Dotti Reeder Denis Simon Daryl Walker Hiawatha Williams Mark Zacheis Dora Zapata

N O N -VOTI N G EX O F F I C I O ME MB ERS Rebecca Egelston Caso, Foundation Board Chair Dai Chung, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Surgeon-in-Chief Patrick Leavey, M.D., 2021 Medical/Dental Staff President-Elect Rina Sanghavi, M.D., 2021 Medical/ Dental Staff President Stephen Skapek, M.D., Interim Chair, Department of Pediatrics

ASS O C I ATE S B OA R D M E MB E R S Larry Banda Bill Corrigan Kourtny Garrett Venkat Kondala

Ken Lear Chris Regis Florence Shapiro Ghousuddin Syed

CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO OPERATING DIVISION CHAIR Michael Dardick

DI R E C TO R S Rebecca Egelston Caso William Cawley Michael Dardick Lisa Guerrero

Joyce Houlihan David Kelly Tracy LaRosiliere Rob Maher Mark Speese Vanessa U. Walls Mark Weinzierl

CHILDREN’S HEALTH SYSTEM OF TEXAS CHAIR Ed Heffernan

David W. Biegler

H O N O R A RY L I F E ME MB E R Joel T. Williams III

Lee Hobson Lee Jackson Caren Kline Charles Matthews, Jr. Anne Motsenbocker Connie O’Neill Mark Speese Debra Brannan Tagg

DI R E C TO R S

VOTI N G E X OF F I CI O DI R E C TO R S

Robert A. Chereck Lou Grabowsky Steven M. Gruber Ed Heffernan

Rebecca Egelston Caso Michael Dardick Christopher J. Durovich Thomas A. Montgomery

Board rosters reflect all those who served in 2021.

TABLE OF CONTENTS VO L U M E 9 , A P R I L 2 02 2 The annual report is a publication of Children’s Medical Center Foundation. Copyright, 2022, Children’s Health. For permission to quote or reprint any information from the annual report, for permission to reproduce art or to request additional copies, please contact us at 214-456-8360.

DONOR SUPPORT Through the ups and downs of 2021, one thing remained steadfast: your support of Children’s Health. As donors, your superpowers are an unstoppable force in our Red Balloon League: a band of heroes from children and their families to team members and volunteers, fighting for the patients at Children’s Health.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW Last year, donors showed up to care for children in our Heart Center, to fund clinical and laboratory research and to improve the health and wellness of children in our community by supporting the expansion of facilities and access to pediatric mental health care.

K E Y FAC T S As a health care system, the Children’s Health mission is to make life better for children, from daily wellness and primary care to specialty visits and critical care.

CO R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S Corporate donors play a critical role as part of our Red Balloon League. Together, they stand alongside us to help fund clinical programs, patient and family support services, care for the underserved and pediatric research.

WO M E N ' S AU X I L I A RY The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center has served as advocates for Children’s Health for decades. This year, the Auxiliary celebrates an incredible milestone in their organization — a commitment to service for the last 60 years.

P H I L A N T H R O PY

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

INDIVIDUALLY, WE’RE STRONG. TOGETHER, WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE. SM

PATIENT

hrough the ups and downs of 2021, one thing remained steadfast: your support of Children’s Health.

AS DONORS, your superpowers are an unstoppable force in our Red Balloon League: a band of heroes from children and their families to team members and volunteers, fighting for the patients at Children’s Health. As an important part of this league, you help children tackle the tough stuff — from critical disease to everyday illness. We combine our individual strengths to make life better for children — no matter what they face. In 2021, you stood alongside more than 2,000 superheroes to join our first Red Balloon League during the spring, raising funds to defend and protect every child. Together, you raised more than $1.4 million on North Texas Giving Day — earning us the No. 2 spot in the leaderboard for most funds raised on this community-wide giving day. And together, you brought magical moments to patients and team members in the hospital during the holidays. Together, we’re the league of extraordinary care.

A’ZYRIAH “ZAZA”

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

rom nurses with super compassion and parent advocates with key intuition to researchers with incredible persistence, our team of heroes has the courage to act boldly when others won’t. They provide solutions when others can’t. And they never stop fighting to defend and protect our patients. Together, their individual superpowers are an unstoppable force under the Red Balloon League. TOTAL RAISED IN 2021

$2,992,971 Includes annual giving, corporate gifts, individual giving, planned gifts and contingent gifts.

SUPERPOWER: RUNNING FAST AND SHOWING CANCER WHO’S BOSS.

hey gathered in their blue scrubs waving handmade signs that read “Way to go ZaZa!” in blue and purple marker. The “Rocky” theme song blasted through speakers as the double doors swung open, revealing 7year-old A’Zyriah, better known as ZaZa, donning a pair of golden boxing gloves. She shuffled forward like a pro fighter in sparkly boots, punching the air, as a tunnel of Children’s Health team members cheered. The triumphant soundtrack was a celebration of ZaZa’s latest victory in the fight against cancer, after a successful stem cell transplant saved her life. The tribute was also an anthem to the clinical team and her family who stood by her side. “I told A’Zyriah, ‘The fight is over. You need to put on your boxing gloves and show them that you won,’” her mom, Schequila, said. “She’s walking in her victory.” Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2018, ZaZa has been in and out of Children’s Health for the last couple years. And when leukemia cells were rediscovered in April 2020, a stem

cell transplant from her little brother was her next hope. “The cancer was so aggressive, and she was getting weaker and weaker,” Schequila said. “I was the one who was the big cry baby. But A’Zyriah kept saying, ‘I’m OK, mama.’” Schequila credits her daughter’s life to the league of support that surrounded ZaZa throughout her cancer journey. The doctors: who embraced the family and reassured Schequila that ZaZa would remain the sassy little girl who loves to chat with strangers, sing silly songs and run as fast as she can. The nurses: who patiently cared for her, even on her toughest days. The Child Life specialists and Spiritual Care chaplains: who came with games, stories and just to listen. “The whole team at Children’s Health showed so much loved toward my daughter. You felt like family,” Schequila said. AN UPDATE ON OUR SPUNKY PATIENT, ZAZA: ZaZa’s signature gold boxing gloves are tucked on a top shelf in her closet, alongside her radiation mask and encouraging notes from her Children’s Health care team.

They’re memories of a cancer fight that’s occupied about half of this spunky now-8-year-old’s life. “We talk about her strength and her cancer journey a lot,” Schequila, said. “She knows she’s a fighter, and she’s proud of it. When friends and family tell her that she’s strong, she says, ‘I got my gloves to protect me.’” More than a year has passed since ZaZa’s life-saving stem cell transplant in 2020, after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia four years ago. She continues to visit Children’s Health regularly for monitoring. And last fall, clinicians diagnosed her with a restrictive lung disease — a side effect of chemotherapy treatments that is managed with inhalers and medication. “ZaZa knows that she’ll get through this, and the team at Children’s Health has continued to provide the same family-oriented care through it all,” Schequila said. And in the meantime, ZaZa keeps her fighter mind sharp with puzzles — specifically thousand-piece puzzles of unicorns and trolls that would rival an adult’s puzzling-skills. “She likes the challenge,” Schequila said.

THE RED BALLOON LEAGUE

TEAM MEMBER

JOSEPH CANTU, RN

CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO

SUPERPOWER: COMPASSION AND THE ABILITY TO PIVOT IN REAL-TIME BASED ON PATIENT AND FAMILY NEEDS.

e called himself the popsicle specialist. A volunteer in the PostAnesthesia Care Unit at Children’s Health, Joseph toted icy purple and orange pops to kids after they woke up from surgery. The sweet treat was to make sure they were able to swallow after being under anesthesia. But Joseph didn’t know that at the time. He was a businessman working at a tech company who wanted to donate some of his time to help kids. He hadn’t yet dreamed of going back to school to become a nurse and pursuing a major career change. “I just thought, ‘I love this job,’” Joseph said, of volunteering at the hospital. “And then I started to get really interested in nursing. I’ve always had that loving nature for helping others and the change felt right.” Now, he’s a floater nurse at Children’s Medical Center Plano —

SUPERPOWER: MY INTUITION. A MOTHER KNOWS WHEN HER CHILD IS NOT OK.

abrielle climbed into her son’s hospital bed, stroking his curly blonde hair that she’d trimmed herself earlier that day. She held him close as they began to drift to sleep, amid beeping monitors and dozens of stuffed dinosaurs (Harrison’s favorite!), including an oversized T-Rex tucked by his side. Day No. 64 at Children’s Health. “I’m so proud of you, Harrison,” she told her son, as his eyes fought to stay open. “I’m proud of you, too, mommy,” he replied. Gabrielle reached for her phone and typed a quick post to update friends and family. “This boy melts me every day,” she wrote of her son who loves to wiggle his eyebrows up and down

part of the Clinical Resource Team — and clinically trained to treat patients in all areas of the hospital. Joseph loves working with patients and their families and helping distract children from the pain of their illness and boredom in a hospital room. In 2020, he was pre-assigned to treat patients who tested positive or presumptive positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. “I felt prepared and trained by the hospital for this,” Joseph said. “As nurses, this is what we signed up for, and I was ready and proud to be part of the team.” For the last several years, he has led his team in fundraising efforts for Children’s Health. It’s important to him to support the patients that he sees fight for their lives every day. “I love this place, and I really believe in what we do,” Joseph said. “Nursing has completely changed my life. It’s honestly made me a better man.”

PARENT ADVOCATE

GABRIELLE McDOWELL

and roar like a dinosaur. “I’d live in this hospital until the end of time to keep MOM TO 5-YEAR-OLD HEART TRANSPLANT him if I had to.” PATIENT, HARRISON Because as she typed this, Harrison’s heart was failing. When Harrison and Gabrielle left their home for relocated from their home in North an appointment at Children’s Medical Carolina to Dallas for Harrison to be Center Dallas in January 2020, treated at The Heart Center. Gabrielle packed an overnight bag. In April 2020 — two days after the She suspected her son was in heart two-year anniversary of Harrison’s failure and that they wouldn’t be cardiomyopathy diagnosis — Harrison coming home that night. was placed on the heart transplant list. And she braced herself for news About a week later, Gabrielle she’d spent the last two years received the call that Harrison’s anticipating since Harrison received new heart was here. his cardiomyopathy diagnosis: He “We’ve never doubted for a would need a new heart. second that we made the right Harrison has been under the care of decision coming to Children’s Health. our team members since 2018, when We’re really comfortable here,” his parents, Gabrielle and Bobby, Gabrielle said.

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

GRATEFUL PATIENT FAMILY

THE WOLEBEN FAMILY

SUPERPOWER: HOPE. WE SURVIVE ON HOPE.

oug and Kasey sat at a conference table as a team of doctors broke the news: Their then 18-month-old son had a rare disease that was causing him to fall and be unable to get up. A few days earlier, Kasey had rushed their son, Will, to the Emergency Room at Children’s Medical Center Plano after one of these falls, knowing in her gut something wasn’t right.

Doctors told the couple that the rare disease — called Leigh syndrome, which impacts only a few thousand people in the world — was progressive, had no cure and many patients didn’t live past the age of 10. And ever since then, for the last several years, Doug and Kasey have been trying to save their son’s life. “I don’t think any parent could accept that there’s no cure for your child,” Doug said. “We had to do what

we could to try to find an answer.” They emailed academic researchers in the United States and internationally. They called drug companies. They drove to different cities in hope of an experimental treatment. But every answer was the same: “There’s nothing we can do to help you.” Kasey and Doug have watched their now 10-year-old son lose the ability to walk, lose the ability to swallow and eat food and lose the ability to speak. They monitor his various medications and feeding tubes, while also caring for their youngest child, Lauren. And every night, one of them sleeps in a twin bed in Will’s room. The family found hope in 2018 when their neurologist told them about the development of a Gene Therapy program starting at UT Southwestern in collaboration with Children’s Health. “We had reached out to many top medical institutions, hospitals and researchers throughout the country, but Children’s Health was the one that was willing to say, ‘Yes, we can help you,’” Doug said. But the couple would need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch the experiments and another $1 million for human trials. It wasn’t a cure — only an experiment. They don’t know if it will work. And they don’t know if it will manifest in time to help their son. But they had to try. “To go from being diagnosed with this ultra-rare disease, where we thought, ‘How unlucky can we be?’” Doug said. “To having this potential miracle breakthrough presented to us right in our own backyard in Dallas, it feels like we hit the lottery.” Kasey and Doug are fundraising not only to save their son’s life, but for the lives of other children and families like them navigating a rare disease diagnosis. “We tell Will about this therapy that we’re fundraising for. We tell him that we don’t know what the results are going to be. But he knows there’s hope,” Kasey said. “We survive on hope.”

THE RED BALLOON LEAGUE

MEET THE REST OF THE 2021 LEAGUE CORPORATE PARTNER

TEAM MEMBER

MANDY AUSTIN

CATRENA GILBERT

SUZETTE RIVERA

DALLAS MARKET PRESIDENT, BANK OF TEXAS

SUPERPOWER: KINDNESS. YOU CAN CHANGE SOMEBODY’S DAY WITH A LITTLE BIT OF KINDNESS.

SUPERPOWER: I ALWAYS HAVE A SMILE ON MY FACE AND LAUGH WITH EVERYONE.

TEAM MEMBER

VOLUNTEERS

TRACEY KILLGORE

RANDY & DEBBIE JACOBS

INTAKE COORDINATOR, OUR CHILDREN'S HOUSE

SUPERPOWER: GIVING HOPE TO PARENTS THAT THEIR KIDS WILL BE OK

HOUSEKEEPING, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

CONCIERGE, CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER DALLAS

SUPERPOWER: HELPING PATIENT FAMILIES AND VISITORS FEEL WELCOMED WITH MY SMILE AND PERSONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.

VOLUNTEER SERVICES, CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO

SUPERPOWER: RANDY — MAKING KIDS’ DAYS BETTER FOR OUR HAVING BEEN THERE

SUPERPOWER: DEBBIE — ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH FUN

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

TEAM MEMBER

CHRISTOPHER COLLINS SECURITY, CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO

SUPERPOWER: BRINGING SMILES, LAUGHTER AND UNITY TO OUR PATIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS

RESEARCHER

DR. DIANA CASTRO

HELPING OUR KIDS BATTLE THE TOUGH STUFF.

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGIST, CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER DALLAS

ollow the code to learn more about how the League bands together to fight for the patients at Children’s Health. Join the 2022 League today to help raise funds to defend and protect every child.

CAPE DAY: APRIL 28, 2022

SUPERPOWER: BEING A GOOD LISTENER AND TRUSTING MY FAMILIES.

redballoonleague.com 9

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

THEY’VE GOT HEART N

orth Texas Giving Day is an 18hour community-wide giving day where nonprofits across North Texas raise awareness and funds for their organizations each fall. In 2021, you raised more than $1.4 million earning Children's Health the No. 2 spot on the leaderboard for most funds raised on the day. When we give together, the impossible becomes possible.

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

$1,440,804 TOTAL RAISED IN 2021

o learn more about North Texas Giving Day and to save the date for this year's event on Sept. 22, visit:

childrens.com/ntgd 10

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

can the code to watch a video about Carlos and Harrison’s journey at Children's Health.

HOW TWO LIFE-SAVING HEART TRANSPLANTS UNITED FAMILIES

arlos and Harrison don’t have a lot of common interests. One loves to roar like a dinosaur, go on explorations for insects and read National Geographic books. The other prefers to shoot his pretend web like Spiderman, kick and jump like a ninja and is bilingual, speaking Spanish and English. But the 5-year-old boys are best friends, united by matching scars down the center of their chests. In 2020, both received heart transplants at Children’s Health that saved their lives. “I owe the team at Children’s Health everything. They gave me my baby back, and they treated him with so much respect and love,” said Carlos’ mom, Karla. “And Harrison’s family is like our family now.” The families met in a break room at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Carlos — who was diagnosed suddenly with restrictive cardiomyopathy — had just been admitted to the hospital to wait for a new heart. And Harrison —

who was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy after his first birthday — was recovering from his heart transplant. Born 15 days apart, the boys received heart transplants within two months of each other, and since then, the unique life experience has bonded the families. “We probably never would have met each other if it wasn’t for this shared experience,” said Harrison’s mom, Gabrielle. “And since meeting, we’ve been together almost every weekend. We're lifelong friends now.”

Carlos hasn’t stopped running. For the last couple of years, Carlos has been cared for by a league of team members in the Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Care unit at Children’s Health. Because of the support of generous donors, these team members work together to provide holistic and innovative care to patients like Carlos every day. The doctors, who broke news of the diagnosis and made the joyful call that Carlos’ new heart had arrived. The nurses, who checked his vitals and comforted Karla at night, when she cried while Carlos was asleep. Carlos with his mom, Karla ast year, Karla and And the physical therapist her husband, Johnny, and child life specialist, who planted a peach tree in their worked together to find ways for backyard in honor of the donor family Carlos to play, even at his sickest. who saved their son’s life. “Sometimes, I would forget that Now growing and green, the fruitwe were in the hospital waiting on bearing tree that Carlos runs laps a heart because everyone was so around is a daily reminder of their nice and caring,” Karla said. “We son’s resilience. met so many people who are now Because since his heart transplant, our best friends.”

BRING THE MAGIC

TOGETHER, WE BROUGHT THE MAGIC TO KIDS I

n 2021, we found the magic of the season in the patients we cared for, the team members who inspired us, and — of course — the donors who supported us. From Child Life and Social Work to volunteers and donors, our team members and generous supporters rally each year to make the holiday season special for families in the hospital. Because together, we can bring magic to kids.

MEET OUR PATIENTS INSPIRING THE MAGIC

ANNABELLA, 11

Solid Organ Transplant END-OF-YEAR GIVING

$4,758,677 TOTAL RAISED IN 2021

Includes annual giving, corporate gifts, individual giving, planned gifts and contingent gifts.

Visit bringmagictochildrens.com to learn more about end-of-year giving opportunities and powerful ways to inspire.

bringmagictochildrens.com 12

nnabella and her family don’t know who she would be without the faded scar across her abdomen. Born with a rare liver disease, Annabella was five months old when she was put on the list for a liver transplant at Children’s Health. And a few months later, her family got the call: There was a new liver for Annabella. Now 11 years old, 2021 marked a decade since her life-saving transplant surgery at Children’s Health. “I remember I was so nervous posttransplant about Annabella doing this or that,” her mom, Alexa said. “And whenever I was worried, Dr. Dev Desai would look at me and say, ‘Alexa, we transplanted her so that she could live. Now, you need to let her live.’” To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Annabella’s transplant, Alexa tacked a timeline of photos on the family’s kitchen backsplash, chronicling the life her daughter was able to live because of her transplant. There were photos of Annabella as a sleeping newborn with a fluffy bow on her head, weeks before her parents knew she was sick. Another of Alexa cradling a smiling baby Annabella, wrapped in a hospital blanket at Children’s Health shortly after her diagnosis.

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

There were photos of posttransplant doctor appointments; birthday celebrations; Christmas mornings; the arrival of Annabella’s younger sister, Emmeline; and past transplant anniversaries. “The time seems so long ago, and yet, it doesn’t,” said Shad, Annabella’s dad. “While it’s been 10 years, a lot of those same clinical team members are still at Children’s Health. For the last decade, they’ve watched Annabella grow up, and they’ve been there for us.”

ISACC, 11

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

sacc was 5 years old when Karen and her husband, Brett, met him for the first time. The thenkindergartener — who loves reading and sports, particularly the Dallas Cowboys — had big brown eyes and a sweet toothy grin. He’d also recently finished a 25day stay at Children’s Health, where he was being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. New foster parents, Karen and Brett had been caring for Isacc’s younger brother during his hospital admission. The couple didn’t have biological children, and for years, life had been just the two of them. But they had space in their house and their hearts to give children a home, even if only temporarily. Karen and Brett hadn’t planned to foster two children, particularly one with a serious medical condition. They also knew from their extensive foster training that the goal for the boys was — if possible — reunification with their biological family. “But then your heart is in it from the get-go,” Karen said. “Once we knew the boys, we loved them from day one.”

Diagnosed with leukemia just before his third birthday, Isacc has been cared for by team members in the Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health for almost half his life, following a relapse in 2019. Since then, his clinical care has been overseen by the growing oncology team at Children’s Medical Center Plano. He’s spent about 50 nights in the hospital, had two rounds of radiation and weekly chemotherapy treatments. “We love everybody on the Plano team because of the care they’ve provided, not just for Isacc, but for our whole family,” Karen said. In Plano, the family found Child Life specialists who helped him with spelling homework during in-patient stays, and clinicians who chatted about Cowboys football during chemotherapy treatments. And during a June clinic appointment, Isacc’s care team surprised him with balloons, cake and a Cowboys cap after his and his brother’s adoptions were finalized, officially making Karen and Brett their parents. “His nurses and doctors didn’t tell me they were doing this. They didn’t ask me, ‘What should we get him?’ They knew what to get him because they’ve spent the last two years treating him, and they know him,” Karen said. “And after spending every week with them, they’re like family to us."

RANIA, 19

Eating Disorders

ania swirled the black paint around the circle until it was a solid black. Meant to depict the new moon stage of the lunar phase, it represents a time of new beginnings for the 19-year-old, who is studying physics in college and wants to explore space. Because as a high school student, Rania spent years wanting to be anyone but herself. A refugee from war-torn Yemen, Rania’s childhood was chaotic, and

she struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Searching for control in an unpredictable world, she focused on one thing she could determine: how much food she ate. “I set these rules and expectations for myself, and I told myself that if I didn’t engage in these binging and purging behaviors then I wouldn’t be who I wanted to be,” she said. “But these were unrealistic expectations.” She was 13 years old the first time she was admitted to Children’s Health for mental health struggles. And for the next several years, she found treatment and healing from team members in the Children’s Health Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders in Plano. Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices, but serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors, thoughts and emotions. They can affect people of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and genders, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Eating disorders also have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders states. “Regardless of how good or bad I was doing, my doctors, therapists and treatment team never stopped advocating for me,” Rania said. “They never gave up on me.” Even when she cried from an in-patient bed. Even when she told them how much she wanted to leave. They told her she was amazing. They told her to take it one step at a time. They told her she was going to recover. “The team at Children’s Health never lost hope in me. They saw a future for me,” Rania said. “And that motivated me.”

BRING THE MAGIC

VALERIA, 9

Down Syndrome and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

aleria peered through the blinds from a hospital break room at the sparkly tree, aglow in multicolored string lights in a courtyard at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Clad in Christmas pajamas with reindeer antlers on her head, she was ready for a visit from the “Big Guy” himself. Valeria spent most of last year under the care of team members at Children’s Health, after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2020. And that meant the holidays looked different for the then-8-year-old and her mother, Claudia. There were chemotherapy treatments that caused her thick, dark hair to fall out. There were steroids that made her too tired to leave bed. And there were many nights apart from her dad and little brother.

But there also were costumes and prizes for her and other patients at Halloween. Christmas wreaths that adorned hospital hallways from Women’s Auxiliary volunteers. And even a virtual visit with Santa from her hospital room. “To this day, Valeria believes she talked with Santa Claus,” Claudia said, laughing. “And for a moment, they made us feel like we weren’t in the hospital, and that we weren’t alone.” Born with Down syndrome, Valeria already saw a number of specialists at Children’s Health for asthma and sleep apnea before she was diagnosed with leukemia. And still she loved life, especially singing, dancing and teaching her little brother to walk. In January 2020, Valeria had adenoid surgery, but she struggled to recover. Claudia also noticed that she was pale — too pale. Valeria was rushed to the emergency room at Children’s Health, and that same month was diagnosed with leukemia.

The news “came out of the blue” for Claudia and her husband. “But at Children’s Health, we didn’t find only doctors and nurses. We found another family,” Claudia said. “They didn’t just treat Valeria — they made her feel special.” And one holiday season, the family was nominated by social workers to participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, where anonymous donors help fulfill a patient family’s Christmas wish list. On Christmas morning, there was a play kitchen and a dollhouse for Valeria; a push car for her little brother; and a tea set for Claudia. “We had never received so many gifts. It was very special.”

BRING THE MAGIC RECAP

7 $51,500 THOUSANDS Bring the Magic Sponsors

From corporate sponsorships

of toys and gifts shared with patients through Child Life toy drives and Social Work Adopt-A-Family program efforts

REUNION TOWER OVER THE TOP NEW YEARS EVE EVENT

5,000

Pyrotechnic special effects and LightPartners 359-LED Tower light show

225

Drones engineered and flow in a light show by DFW-based Sky Elements

2021 DONOR SUPPORT

CELEBRATING OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY

1,000+

$1.4M+ 2,000+

HONOR AND MEMORIAL GIFTS CELEBRATING AND REMEMBERING OUR BRAVE PATIENTS AND STAFF

RAISED ON NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY

SUPERHEROES JOINED TOGETHER IN OUR 1ST ANNUAL RED BALLOON LEAGUE

BROKE GROUND ON EXPANDING OUR PLANO HOSPITAL BY ADDING OVER

THE LEGACY CHALLENGE RAISED

THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY DECKED THE HALLS WITH

IN PLANNED GIFTS FROM 34 PARTICIPANTS

WREATHS AND 12 TREES AT CHILDREN'S HEALTH DALLAS AND 75 BIG WREATHS AT CHILDREN'S HEALTH PLANO

34,000

SQUARE FEET OF OUTDOOR SPACE, A 395,000 SQUARE FOOT TOWER ULTIMATELY TRIPLING THE AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE BEDS

GRAND TOTAL FOR 2021 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS

$3.4M

275

$13,559,908 INCLUDING

PEER-TO-PEER RED BALLOON LEAGUE FUNDRAISING TEAMS

1,056

EMPLOYEE DONORS

BOARD PARTICIPATION

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

CARE, CURES & COMMUNITY YOUR SUPPORT OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH ALLOWS US TO DO MORE THAN TREAT ILLNESS AND INJURY. TOGETHER, WE HELP MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR CHILDREN.

n 2021, ou y edwsho up in big and smal syaw orf our tienspa and eamt mebrs, as our orldw contiued ot be impacedt yb COVID-19. You osre up ot opetrct chilednr in our co.munity You funde clincal and labotry esrca h tha led ot big ebarktohugs. You bought meals for etam mebrs a n d d o n ae t s y o t o t p a t i e n s i n

the hospital during the holsi.yda When ou y chose Chen’ildr s Health, ou’y er chosing caer orf thousand of chenildr with congeital or acedquir cadiacr conditos in our Heart Ce.ernt You’er chosing ot fund clincal and orytalb cesar h tha is leading ot big oughstreakb tha wil impact tienspa in the North Teasx comunity and ond.ybe

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CARE

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

UNITING HEARTS T

he Heart Center at Children’s Health is a pioneer in cardiac care and innovation for thousands of children with congenital or acquired cardiac conditions. Philanthropy has furthered our commitment to holistic care and aided in the advancement of the most promising and rewarding research studies and innovations to benefit children with acquired or chronic heart conditions. Such support has benefited those receiving care within our walls, as well as the cardiac care field. Impact is best reflected through health outcomes and milestones.

For example, in 2021, our 100th patient received an MRI-guided cardiac catheterization procedure, which is the first of its kind in Texas and we are one of only a few pediatric centers in the world to provide this intervention. This radiation-free procedure helps our Heart Center team take a better look at the heart, while making the procedure safer by reducing radiation exposure. Our continued investments in advanced cardiac imaging technology will improve outcomes and lives for even more patients. Facility enhancements in The Heart

34,000+ 1,000+ outpatient visits in locations spanning Dallas to Tyler, Beaumont to Houston

MRI procedures

32,000+

echocardiograms

heart transplants

Center over the past year were also supported by generous donors, including the construction of a third cardiac catheterization lab that will help diagnose and repair heart issues in a safer way with easier patient recovery than traditional open-heart surgery. In addition to providing access to the latest innovations and interventions, philanthropy has supported programs for our patient families with dedicated social workers, child life specialists, pastoral care, development and learning specialists.

nvestments in the professional development and well-being of The Heart Center team members have enabled our physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to participate in continuing education; attend industry-specific conferences and presentation forums; learn about innovations in the field; and conduct hands-on simulated training to maintain and grow expertise. They have also provided resources

HEART CENTER WELCOMES NEW CHIEF OF CARDIOLOGY, DR. NICOLAS MADSEN

n October 2021, Children’s Health welcomed Dr. Nicolas Madsen as Co-Director of The Heart Center and Chief of Cardiology. He also serves as Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology within the Pediatric Group at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Following an esteemed tenure as Medical Director of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s, Dr. Madsen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to The Heart Center to help care for the most complex pediatric cardiac patients.

Dr. Madsen has been an industry leader in pediatric cardiology as the co-founder and co-director of the Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative (PAC3), an organization dedicated to improving cardiac acute care outcomes by focusing on quality, value and experience. With the addition of Dr. Madsen, the talented Heart Center team will continue to strengthen its pioneering innovation, academic research and lifesaving technology and treatments, to provide comprehensive care to pediatric

cardiac patients in Texas and beyond. “The power of philanthropy — the direct impact of our generous donors — is fundamental to our aspirations. These contributions advance our research and innovation, they build our generation-defining educational programs, and they catalyze our medical care in both scale and scope,” Dr. Madsen said. “I am thrilled to have joined Children’s Health and UT Southwestern and look forward to all we can accomplish together in the Heart Center on behalf of the children and families we serve.”

to ensure our staff have the support they need in as they care for children each and every day. Investments like these lend to the retention of the best and brightest in pediatric cardiac caregivers and extend a culture of life-long learning and excellence in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, all of which benefit the children and families we serve.

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS F

or more than two decades, the Rev. Melissa Walker-Luckett has made a career of training the next generation of hospital chaplains. She’s teaching them how to be a calming presence for patients, families and team members during vulnerable and traumatic moments. She’s teaching them to be a friendly face in the hospital’s maze of hallways and floors. And she’s teaching them to listen deeply to the meaning behind what people are saying. “When I was growing up, I felt called to ministry, but in my denomination, the church wasn’t a place at the time where women could be leaders,” said Melissa, who manages the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Children’s Health. “A professor recommended I look into becoming a chaplain, and I quickly realized that I felt comfortable and drawn to working with patients and their families.” A leader in training hospital chaplains, Children’s Health is one of only four pediatric centers listed — and the only pediatric hospital in Texas — accredited by the Association for Clinical

Pastoral Education to offer spiritual when there were few and were trained education, training and professional by the same person to become development for clergy and other hospital chaplains. “Even though professionals. we never met, I feel a sort of kinship In 2021, Melissa was named the with her, and I feel very privileged for holder of the Chaplain Priscilla Wood our department to benefit from this Neaves Chair in Clinical Pastoral generous gift.” Education. The endowment — Spiritual Care and Education established in 2014 by is an essential offering in Dr. William B. Neaves the hospital that is not in honor of his wife, a revenue generating Priscilla, a former department, and chaplain at Children’s philanthropic support Health — supports is critical to supporting clinical pastoral its services. The education needs. department relies on Since being named donors who believe the endowment holder, in the impact hospital Melissa and Dr. Neaves chaplains have on patients, have become email pals families and team members. Rev. Melissa with Melissa giving updates As part of the Clinical Walker-Luckett Pastoral Education program on the clinical pastoral education program and at Children’s Health, Melissa Dr. Neaves sending photos he took trains not only people working to during the holidays of cardinals — become hospital chaplains but Priscilla’s favorite bird. He also sent also ordained and lay spiritual care Melissa a book of meditations and providers who minister in their sermons by Priscilla. local congregation. “I opened the book, and I was struck “And by extension, that means at by how similar her story was to mine,” Children’s Health, we’re making life said Melissa, adding that they were better for children in our hospitals and both women in ministry during a time in the broader community,” Melissa said.

NOAH FINDS SUPPORT AT CHILDREN'S HEALTH AFTER FONTAN SURGERY

livia was 26 weeks pregnant when she learned that her unborn son, Noah, had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a congenital heart defect critically affecting the left side of his heart. At just one day old, Noah had his first of three open heart surgeries to treat his heart defect, known as the Norwood procedure. Six months later, he had a second surgery, the Glenn procedure, and just after his fourth birthday, Noah had his third and final open-heart surgery, the Fontan procedure.

NOAH DEVELOPS COMPLICATIONS AFTER HIS FONTAN PROCEDURE Noah initially appeared to be on the road to recovery after his Fontan procedure, but he soon developed significant complications. When weaning off his pain medications, he experienced acute kidney failure, which required temporary dialysis to allow his kidneys to heal. Additionally, shortly after surgery, excess lymphatic fluid began building up around Noah’s lungs. Known as pleural effusions, this fluid caused pressure on Noah’s chest, making it difficult for him to breathe. After intense rounds of intravenous medications to reduce the fluid and several weeks of inpatient occupational and physical therapy, Noah was eventually strong enough to go home. His time at home was short-lived, however, as Olivia noticed her son was having difficulty breathing at night. By the second night, she worried that the pleural effusions had returned and brought him back to the emergency room where her suspicions were confirmed. “Noah’s oxygen levels had dropped to 70% and the fluid

was really building up in his abdomen,” Olivia said.

NOAH FINDS SPECIALIZED CARE FOR PLEURAL EFFUSIONS AFTER FONTAN As Noah’s doctors struggled to get the pleural effusions under control, they realized he would need specialized care. It was then that Olivia learned of the Lymphatic Evaluation and Intervention Program, part of the Pediatric Fontan Program at Children’s Health. This program is one of the first to provide comprehensive, long-term care to address the complex needs of patients after their Fontan procedure. “Noah was referred to our lymphatic occlusion program from another hospital in the DFW area after he suffered from high output chylous effusions that developed immediately after Fontan surgery. He was managed with aggressive medical therapy with no real benefit and the previous team had maxed out all options,” said Suren Reddy, M.D., Interventional Cardiologist and Director of the Cardiac Catherization Program and Medical Director of the Fontan Single Ventricle Program at Children’s Health. “When I first saw him, he looked very unhappy and miserable with multiple lines and poor nutrition. All efforts to dry out the effusions in his lungs were failing and he started developing complications from medical therapy,” Dr. Reddy said. “I met with Noah's family and discussed the high-risk lymphatic occlusion procedure using the transabdominal approach to get into the thoracic duct and occlude the lymphatic channels that were leaking fluid into Noah's lungs. His parents agreed, and we were able to get the job done in the first attempt.”

Within a week, the fluid around Noah’s lungs had reduced significantly, and his oxygen levels improved. Fat-containing foods were slowly introduced back into his diet, and the pleural effusions remained under control. Noah was soon able to go home from the hospital, requiring no oxygen support, on a normal diet and under no special restrictions. “Dr. Reddy’s work is ultimately the only thing that got us out of that hospital,” Olivia said. “I continue to thank him every time I see him.”

NOAH THRIVES YEARS LATER WITH HIS SPECIAL HEART Three years later, Noah is an energetic second grader who loves baseball, reading and riding his bike. He is closely monitored by Children’s Health team members. Olivia is amazed at how far Noah has come over the years and is grateful to all that have helped keep her son healthy and safe. “Noah uses that special heart he’s got to help love and care for anyone in any situation,” Olivia said. “No one would ever know what he has been through looking at him today. I am truly amazed by his progress.”

LEARN MORE Children’s Health is one of the very few pediatric hospitals in the United States with a program dedicated to helping Fontan patients live long, fulfilling lives. The Fontan program brings together a team of multidisciplinary experts to treat all aspects of your child's condition, and provides cutting-edge therapies, including complex lymphatic interventions that are available at only a small handful of hospitals.

CURES

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

THE ROAD TO DISCOVERY T

he most exciting aspect of research at Children’s Health isn’t just helping our families and patients who participate in studies today, but the ability to benefit all children afflicted by the same conditions — today and in the future. Clinical research helps scientists better understand diseases; chronic conditions and injuries; and can lead to the development of new medicines, treatments, or approaches to caring for patients. Philanthropy fuels new areas of research not presently funded by external entities; supports important, life-saving studies that are nationally and locally underfunded; and provides pilot funding that help

researchers successfully apply for larger, future grants such as from the National Institute for Health. Seed and bridge funding for clinical research allowed the Children’s Clinical Research Advisory Committee (CCRAC) to launch studies with greatest potential and merit, as well as mentor early-career investigators to strengthen research objectives and approaches even further. Philanthropy has granted clinical researchers the opportunity to respond to urgent and unforeseen needs, such as performing critical research on viruses like COVID-19 and its current and long-term implications on the health of children.

BELOW IS A LIST OF JUST SOME OF THE CLINICAL RESEARCH STUDIES THAT WERE LAUNCHED OR ADVANCED BY PHILANTHROPY IN 2021. • Targeting myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in pediatric tumors. MDSCs are immature myeloid cells that have the ability to suppress immune responses and expand during cancer, infection and inflammatory diseases. • Tumor sequencing for high-risk pediatric oncology patients • Anesthesia patient safety for pediatric COVID patients • Fetal congenital heart disease

• Neonatal and pediatric ECMO monitoring • Sport-related concussion recovery in adolescents • Brain injury in extremely preterm infants • Exploring the cellular landscape in pediatric obesity • Communicate to CARE study with providers and staff in pediatric ambulatory clinics

urrently, there are more than 1,200 active research studies at Children’s Health, with nearly 13,000 patients enrolled. For many of these children, it is their last hope at treatment for their illness, and philanthropic support remains the essential catalyst for facilitating new and innovative ideas for clinical research at Children’s Health.

CHILDREN’S RESEARCH INSTITUTE: 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

cientists and physicians who work at Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) share the same determination to push the boundaries of knowledge and to discover new strategies for treating disease. Last year, thanks to the support from generous Children’s Medical Center Foundation donors, researchers at CRI made significant strides in learning how exercise strengthens bones and immunity and how “jumping genes” can protect against blood cancers. The scientific community also recognized the dedication and tireless work of CRI researchers with several prestigious awards. The continued growth and success of CRI depends on our ability to recruit and retain exceptional faculty and outstanding trainees, create and maintain top-quality research facilities, reinvest in new technology and support new avenues for research. These investments accelerate an innovative, entrepreneurial and agile collaborative environment for scientists to address fundamental problems in novel ways.

RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY MECHANISM BY WHICH EXERCISE STRENGTHENS BONES AND IMMUNITY

n 2021, scientists at CRI identified the specialized environment, known as a niche, in the bone marrow where new bone and immune cells are produced. The study also shows that movement-induced stimulation is required for the maintenance of this niche, as well as the bone and immune-forming cells that it contains. Together, these findings identify a new way that exercise strengthens bones and immune function. Researchers from the Morrison laboratory discovered that forces created from walking or running are transmitted from bone surfaces along arteriolar blood vessels into the marrow inside bones. Bone-forming cells that line the outside of the arterioles sense these forces and are induced to proliferate. This not only allows the formation of new bone cells, which helps to thicken bones, but the bone-forming cells also secrete a growth factor that increases the frequency of cells that form lymphocytes around the arterioles. Lymphocytes are the B and T cells that allow the immune system to fight infections. When the ability of the boneforming cells to sense pressure caused by movement, also known as mechanical forces, was inactivated, it reduced the formation of new bone

cells and lymphocytes, causing bones to become thinner and reducing the ability of mice to clear a bacterial infection. “As we age, the environment in our bone marrow changes and the cells responsible for maintaining skeletal bone mass and immune function become depleted. We know very little about how this environment changes or why these cells decrease with age,” said Sean Morrison, Ph.D., the director of CRI and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. “Past research has shown exercise can improve bone strength and immune function, and our study discovered a new mechanism by which this occurs.”

SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY CELLS RESPONSIBLE FOR LIVER TISSUE MAINTENANCE AND REGENERATION

hile the amazing regenerative power of the liver has been known since ancient times, the cells responsible for maintaining and replenishing the liver have remained a mystery. Now, research from CRI has identified the cells responsible for liver maintenance and regeneration, while also pinpointing where they reside in the liver. These findings could help scientists answer important questions about liver maintenance, liver damage (such

as from fatty liver or alcoholic liver disease) and liver cancer. The liver performs vital functions, including chemical detoxification, blood protein production, bile excretion and regulation of energy metabolism. Structurally, the liver is comprised of tissue units called lobules that, when cross-sectioned, resemble honeycombs. Individual lobules are organized in concentric zones in which hepatocytes, the primary liver cell type, carry out diverse functions. Over the last 10 years, there has been debate about whether all hepatocytes across the lobule contribute to the production of new cells or if a certain subset of hepatocytes or stem cells is responsible. Previous efforts to identify the cells most responsible for liver regeneration were hindered by a lack of markers to distinguish and

compare the functions of distinct types of hepatocytes in different regions of the liver. Scientists in the Zhu lab addressed this issue by comparing the genes that mark hepatocytes throughout the liver. Using this approach, they identified genes that were only turned on by specific subsets of hepatocytes, and then used these genes as markers to distinguish the identities and functions of different hepatocyte subsets. They created 11 new mouse strains, each of which carries a marker for a specific subset of hepatocytes. Along with three previously established mouse strains, researchers observed how the labeled cells multiplied or disappeared over time, and which were responsible for liver regeneration after damage. These experiments allowed researchers to directly compare how different subsets of hepatocytes contributed to liver maintenance and regeneration. Members of the Zhu lab discovered that cells in zone 2 gave rise to new hepatocytes that populated all three zones of liver lobules while cells from zones 1 and 3 disappeared. These unexpected observations suggested that there is not a rare population of stem cells responsible for liver maintenance, but instead, a common set of mature hepatocytes within a specific region of the liver that regularly divide to make new hepatocytes throughout the liver. The Zhu lab also exposed mice to chemicals that mimicked common forms of liver damage, showing that cells in zone 2 were most able to evade death, regenerate hepatocytes and sustain liver function. “The identification of zone 2 hepatocytes as a regenerative population answers some fundamental questions about liver biology and could have important implications for liver disease. In addition, the tools we created to study different types of hepatocytes can be used to examine how different cells respond to liver damage or to genetic changes that cause liver cancer,” said Hao Zhu, M.D., an Associate Professor at CRI and lead author of the study.

SCIENTISTS DISCOVER “JUMPING” GENES THAT CAN PROTECT AGAINST BLOOD CANCERS

ew research has uncovered a surprising role for so-called “jumping” genes that are a source of genetic mutations responsible for a number of human diseases. In the new study from CRI scientists made the unexpected discovery that these DNA sequences — also known as transposons — can protect against certain blood cancers. These findings led scientists to identify a new biomarker that could help predict how patients will respond to cancer therapies and find new therapeutic targets for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) — the deadliest type of blood cancer in adults and children. Transposons are DNA sequences that can move — or jump — from one location in the genome to another when activated. Though many

different classes of transposons exist, scientists in the Xu laboratory focused on a type known as long interspersed element-1 (L1) retrotransposons. L1 sequences work by copying and then pasting themselves into different locations in the genome, which often leads to mutations that can cause diseases such as cancer. Nearly half of all cancers contain mutations caused by L1 insertion into other genes, particularly lung, colorectal and headand-neck cancers. The incidence of L1 mutations in blood cancers such as AML is extremely low, but the reasons why are poorly understood. When researchers screened human AML cells to identify genes essential for cancer cell survival, they found MPP8, a known regulator of L1, to be selectively required by AML cells. Curious to understand the underlying basis of this connection, scientists in the Xu lab studied how L1 sequences were regulated in human and mouse leukemia cells. They made two key discoveries: The first was that MPP8 blocked the copying of L1 sequences in the cells that initiate AML. This safeguarded the cancer cell genome and allowed AML-initiating cells to survive and proliferate. The second was that when the activity of L1 was turned on, it could impair the growth or survival of AML cells. This in turn activated a DNA damage response that triggered cell death or eliminated the cell’s ability to replicate itself. “Our initial finding was a surprise because it’s been long thought that activated transposons promote cancer development by generating genetic mutations. We found it was the opposite for blood cancers, and that decreased L1 activity was associated with worse clinical outcomes and therapy resistance in patients,” said Jian Xu, Ph.D., Associate Professor in CRI and senior author of the study. “Our discovery that L1 activation can suppress the survival of certain blood cancers opens up the possibility of using it as a prognostic biomarker, and possibly leveraging its activity to target cancer cells without affecting normal cells,” Xu said.

DR. RALPH DEBERARDINIS RECEIVES 2021 PAUL MARKS PRIZE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

alph DeBerardinis, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor at CRI, was one of three researchers awarded the 2021 Memorial Sloan Kettering Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research. The award recognizes outstanding early and midcareer investigators who have made significant contributions to increase the understanding of cancer or improve the treatment of the disease through basic or clinical research. Dr. DeBerardinis, who is also a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator, is known for his discoveries in cancer metabolism and research into genetic conditions in children known as inborn errors of metabolism. At UT Southwestern, he is co-leader of the Cellular Networks in Cancer Program at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. “I am honored to receive this award and follow in the footsteps of many other amazing cancer researchers,” said Dr. DeBerardinis, who is Chief of the Division of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism at UT Southwestern and an attending physician at Children’s Health. “It’s a particular honor to receive an award named for Dr. Marks, a geneticist and physician-scientist who had a transformative impact on research and treatment in cancer.”

Dr. DeBerardinis’ achievements include helping to pioneer a new way to study altered metabolism directly in cancer patients. This has allowed his team to uncover the mechanisms by which tumors use nutrients to produce energy and to identify metabolic pathways that allow tumors to grow and spread. The approach provides researchers with insights about cancer metabolism in the human body, which differs in some ways from the metabolism of the same cells growing in laboratory dishes. This approach is now being used to study metabolism in patients with nearly a dozen forms of cancer. The long-term goal of this research is to develop new drugs that destroy cancer cells by targeting metabolic differences between cancer cells and normal cells. “Ralph is changing the field of cancer metabolism by pioneering new approaches to study tumor metabolism in humans. His studies reveal the importance of mitochondrial function in many cancers, a facet of cellular metabolism that was underappreciated in cancer,” said Sean Morrison, Ph.D., Director of the CRI and member of the Simmons Cancer Center, who serves on the selection committee.

SAM MCBRAYER RECEIVES THE SONTAG FOUNDATION’S DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIST AWARD

am McBrayer, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern of Pediatrics in CRI, is one of six winners of the 2021 Distinguished Scientist Award, presented by the Sontag Foundation. The award is given annually to extraordinary scientists with the potential to make a significant impact in the field of brain cancer research. “The generous support of the Sontag Foundation will accelerate our research and allow us to pursue innovative, high-yield approaches to studying how altered metabolism promotes brain cancer development and progression. It is a true honor to receive the Distinguished Scientist Award and join the remarkable group of past awardees who have made an indelible impact on the brain tumor research field,” said Dr. McBrayer, who is also a member of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. The McBrayer laboratory focuses on understanding how changes in metabolism control cell fate and cell function in the setting of brain cancer, particularly for gliomas. A significant portion of gliomas are driven and

initiated by mutations that affect IDH genes. These genes encode metabolic enzymes and cause profound metabolic reprogramming when acquired in brain tumor cells. One of the major roadblocks to understanding how changes in metabolism influence cancer risk is the lack of genetically engineered mouse models that are driven by alterations in metabolism. To address this roadblock, Dr. Brayer’s laboratory recently developed a new mouse model of brain cancer that is driven by an IDH mutation. This model creates new opportunities to dissect the molecular changes that link altered metabolism with brain tumor formation. “We’re hoping this new model will help us address a critical unmet need for new brain tumor therapies,” said Dr. McBrayer, a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar and an Abeloff V Foundation Scholar. “Essentially, standard of care for brain tumor patients hasn’t changed since 2005. The new insights that we’re gaining into the altered metabolic state of these brain tumors will point the way to new therapeutic targets and ultimately allow us to develop more effective therapies. This work would not be possible without the Sontag Foundation’s generous support.”

SISI ZHENG, M.D., AWARDED HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS GRANT TO STUDY THE MECHANISMS THAT DRIVE THE ORIGINS OF PEDIATRIC LEUKEMIA

isi Zheng, M.D., wants to understand what drives the evolution of one of the most common and aggressive pediatric blood cancers — acute myeloid leukemia (AML) — to develop better treatments for children diagnosed with the disease. And Dr. Zheng, an Instructor of Pediatrics in the Division

of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UT Southwestern, has been awarded a Hyundai Hope on Wheels Young Investigator Grant to support her research toward that goal in the Xu lab at CRI. These highly-competitive grants are aimed at expanding the knowledge base of pediatric cancers and improving the standards of care. AML is the second most common pediatric leukemia, and despite intensive chemotherapy regimens and the possibility of hematopoietic stem cell transplants, a cure is still a challenge and survival rates remain at 65-70%. Dr. Zheng’s research will explore an early-stage process that can progress to AML: clonal hematopoiesis, in which blood-forming stem cells gain mutations that allow them to outcompete normal blood-forming stem cells for growth and expansion. Understanding the mechanisms that drive the origins of AML will allow researchers to develop better biomarkers and treatment strategies for children with leukemia. “Research is the way to push the envelope to make cures more accessible to more patients. It’s particularly gratifying if I can do something at the bench that can directly be translated into something that can improve the quality of life for patients as well,” Dr. Zheng said. “I am very honored to receive this grant in support of my project to broaden our understanding of how the bone marrow harnesses inflammation and immunity to drive the development of myeloid leukemias.”

10 YEARS OF DISCOVERY AT CRI F

or the last decade, the faculty and researchers at Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) have made innovative discoveries in the areas of regenerative medicine, metabolism and cancer. And with the support of generous donors, they have built a biomedical research powerhouse that is changing the medical landscape. Because these donors knew that an investment in research was an investment in the future. “When I agreed to start the institute 10 years ago, I remember dreaming about what it would become,” CRI Director Sean Morrison said. “But I never thought of all the things that we would actually do. I never got this far in the dream.” In the last decade, Morrison has recruited some of the world’s top researchers to make discoveries and to train the next generation of scientists. And he built a culture where innovation is encouraged, and failures are expected. In the last 10 years, CRI has grown from two employees to over 150. Faculty members have published more than 95 papers in top scientific journals. They have founded biotech companies and

been involved in the creation of new FDA approved anticancer therapies. And they have trained researchers who have gone on to start their own laboratories at other universities.

CRI DISCOVERIES • F O U N D how the skeletal stem cells that form new bone cells help maintain the skeleton and repair fractures. • U N C O V E R E D the microenvironment within the bone marrow, creating innovative ideas for how to improve the safety and effectiveness of bone marrow transplants. • D I S C O V E R E D the cells that regenerate the liver. • C H A N G I N G how we study cancer metabolism to inhibit disease progression.

But more importantly, these researchers have made big discoveries. “There is a moment when you see something that you know no one has seen before and that explains part of this world in a way that wasn’t understood before,” Morrison said. “There’s a quiet excitement and joy inside you when you see that, but your mind immediately goes to the next step: How can I turn this into something that will help people?” Because as they head into the next decade of discovery, the scientists at CRI have lofty goals. They want to keep recruiting outstanding researchers. They want to keep making discoveries. And they want to cure people who wouldn’t have been cured otherwise. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary, CRI!

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS Follow the code to hear more from Dr. Morrison about what makes this 10-year milestone significant and where CRI is headed next.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

COMMUNITY

5-YEAR-OLD KADENCE, A PATIENT AT CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO, PARTICIPATES IN A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY — A MILESTONE MOMENT IN THE EXPANSION OF THE PLANO HOSPITAL — IN OCTOBER 2021.

EXPANDING CARE FOR KIDS

hildren and families north of Dallas have been served at Children’s Medical Center Plano for more than a decade. And soon, the world-class care Children’s Health offers there will be more comprehensive than ever — and closer to home. Children’s Medical Center Plano is undergoing a major expansion to be able to continue providing more specialized and world-class care

to the rapidly growing North Texas pediatric population. The crucial project was officially “kicked off” with the ground-breaking ceremony in October 2021. This major expansion of the Plano hospital will significantly increase capacity by adding more inpatient beds, physicians, services and support. Over the last decade, populations of various North Texas counties have increased by more than 30%. With

more people living in and moving to communities north of Dallas than ever before, it is imperative we expand our Plano campus to serve this increasing population where they live, learn and play. Upon completion, the building will house additional services and medical treatment capabilities to bring care closer to home for children who live in Plano and surrounding communities.

AN EXPANDED PLANO HOSPITAL WILL INCLUDE • A new 395,000-square-foot tower housing expanded specialty care programs and patient family support services • Expanded ancillary services, such as pharmacy, lab and imaging

• More than triple the number of ICU beds • Expanded Emergency Department that will allow us to care for our growing pediatric population, along with dedicated behavioral health treatment rooms

• More specialized care within programs such as cancer and blood disorders, surgical services, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurosciences, a new NICU and with a new pediatric trauma program

TOTAL PATIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT

he fear of the unknown that may accompany a hospitalization or diagnosis can be overwhelming for both the patient and the family. Our expanded hospital will allow us to offer patients and families access to existing and new support services, coping strategies, education and normalization through programs such as:

• Additional support through Child Life and Social Work departments • Enhanced patient family amenities • Overnight accommodations for some families • A new all-abilities playground, which opened in 2021. • Additional 34,560 square feet of outdoor/park respite area

SCAN THE CODE TO WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE PLANO CAMPUS EXPANSION:

BRIGHT INDUSTRIES DONATES $7.5 MILLION TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOR EXPANSION OF CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO THE GIFT WILL HELP INCREASE PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES IN COLLIN AND DENTON COUNTIES.

ore than two decades ago, former Dallas Cowboys owner H.R. “Bum” Bright made his first donation to Children’s Health, marking the family’s name on a specialty building across from Children’s Medical Center Dallas. And soon, the new emergency department currently under construction at Children’s Medical Center Plano will bear the Bright name, following a generous $7.5 million donation to Children’s Health from Bum’s children and grandchildren. The donation from Bright Industries, which was announced in January 2022, is the largest philanthropic gift in the Plano hospital’s history and one of the largest donations made in Collin County. “Children’s Health is, and has

been, a tremendous contributor to the North Texas community for more years than I can remember,” Chris Bright said. “Their devotion to serving and protecting our youngest and most vulnerable has inspired the Bright family’s admiration for most of our lives. My dad, Bum Bright, was honored to serve on their board for many years, and the Bright family is equally honored to be able to participate in helping Children’s Health in their continued growth and service to the Collin County area.” Groundbreaking for the Children’s Medical Center Plano campus expansion took place in October 2021. The new emergency department will be relocated to provide increased space and stateof-the-art equipment and resources critical to serve the growing pediatric population in this region. It will also

include dedicated behavioral health treatment rooms. “As a nonprofit hospital system for kids, philanthropic support is critical to ensure we’re ready to meet the wide-ranging needs of our community’s growing pediatric population,” said Brent Christopher, president of Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “The generosity of Bright Industries, building upon the long legacy of the family’s support to Children’s Health, will have a big impact as we make life better for kids now and for decades ahead.” When Clay Bright passed away from cancer in 2020, the Bright family wanted to honor his legacy of generosity with their gift to Children’s Health. And as the Bright family has moved north, they wanted to expand their partnership with Children’s Health

LEFT TO RIGHT: ED HEFFERNAN, CHAIRMAN, CHILDREN'S HEALTH SYSTEM OF TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS; CHRISTOPHER DUROVICH, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CHILDREN'S HEALTH; AND MICHAEL DARDICK, CHAIRMAN, CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO OPERATING DIVISION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BROKE GROUND ON THE EXPANSION OF CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER PLANO DURING A CEREMONY IN OCTOBER 2021.

to the north as well, supporting others in the nearby Castle Hills community they helped develop. “Through their years of giving across many generations, the Bright family has been alongside us supporting the needs of patients and families,” said Chris Durovich, president and CEO of Children’s Health. “We are extremely grateful for their generous gift to our Plano campus expansion and for their continuing commitment to helping us deliver outstanding pediatric care in North Texas.” Our sincere condolences and sympathy are with the Bright family on the recent passing of Stuart Bright. For decades, you have supported us, and your Children’s Health family is here for you during this time.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN T

he Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance (BHIG) initiative is tackling the pediatric mental health epidemic from a new lens — redistributing when and where children’s mental health concerns are assessed and managed. This effort combines the expertise of Children’s Health and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to effectively and sustainably equip and empower pediatricians across North Texas to incorporate mental health services into standard primary care practice. The shift will lead to early intervention; convenient and trusted care management; a lower prevalence in severe cases; and reduced pressure on the limited mental health specialists. Rather than caring for kids’ needs at the breaking point, this approach will enable primary care providers across the region to detect and address needs early, before they escalate.

his initiative offers an achievable, affordable solution that will benefit children, their families, pediatricians, and the larger health care system. The impact of our behavioral health initiative will be big — both now and for years to come. “To me, this initiative represents a unique opportunity to make significant and lasting change,” said Dr. Sabrina Alexis Browne, the Child Psychiatrist for Children’s Health Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance (BHIG) Initiative and an Assistant Professor in the department of Psychiatry at UT

THE THREE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF BHIG ARE: • Training community pediatricians, where families usually have trust and regular access, to identify mental health issues and provide early therapies for things like mild-tomoderate anxiety and depression. Training will be online and in-person at a demonstration clinic and will include billing processed so these new services can be reimbursed. Experts will be available for referrals to help with more serious cases. • Evaluating patient- and provider-level data and outcomes to inform evidence-based practices that will ensure consistency and quality within pediatricians’ offices. • Advocating for sustainability and scalability of this approach by changing the way stakeholders, insurance carriers and the legislature addresses mental health needs of children.

Southwestern. “In my previous role with the Child Psychiatry Access Network, I provided support to pediatricians in managing the mental health needs of their patients, and I'm excited to continue the work of expanding access to mental health care for kids.” For several years, Children’s Health and the Meadows Institute have been developing this new approach and generous support from donors has been the driving force to bring BHIG to fruition in 2021. From those who provided funding to help advance any pressing mental

health-related needs to those who specifically supported the BHIG initiative, we would not have been able to launch this important and significant endeavor without philanthropy and the confidence our community places in us to make life better for many children. “To be part of something that has received so much community support and interest makes it that much more promising,” Dr. Browne said. “The mental health and well-being of children affects everyone and BHIG is an effort we can all stand behind.”

CURRENT PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH STATE MILD

MODERATE

SEVERE !

• Limited providers • Limited and at-capacity facilities • Inadequate resources Mild and moderate cases are left undiagnosed and untreated due to a lack of specialized training and limited providers, leading to a progression in mental and behavioral health symptoms and severity that is later treated at a crisis mode within a hospital.

• • • • •

Late identification More severe consequences More pressure on resources Reliance on ERs No treatment at all

ENVISIONED PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH STATE MILD

• Expanded providers and resources • Trained pediatricians providing early diagnosis and management • Convenient, trusted access to care

MODERATE

SEVERE

• Acute resources preserved for acute cases • Less pressure on system

etter care for children who needed it. Groundbreaking research. More community resources for kids’ mental health. Through the ups and downs of 2021, when it seemed like every challenge was thrown our way, we reached new heights and overcame obstacles. And that’s because for more than a century, Children’s Health has been steadfastly devoted to one mission: To make life better for children. As one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric health care providers in the country and the leading not-for-profit pediatric health care system in North Texas, Children’s Health cares for children through more than 860,000 patient visits annually. The Children’s Health system includes Children’s Medical Center

Dallas, Children’s Medical Center Plano, Our Children’s House inpatient rehabilitation hospital, the Children’s Health Care Network, specialty centers, rehabilitation facilities and physician services. Children’s Medical Center Dallas continues to be the only North Texas hospital to be ranked in 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. Through its academic affiliation with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Health is a leader in life-changing treatments, innovative technology and ground-breaking research. This affiliation led to establishing the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute in 2011, committed to pursuing research in regenerative medicine, cancer biology and metabolism.

Note: Data reflects totals from 2021, ending Dec. 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted. Volume counts for 2021 include re-occurring visit types, unlike previous years’ annual reports. Therefore, volume counts from earlier annual reports should not be compared to the 2021 counts published here.

PATIENT ENCOUNTERS PER MAIN LOCATION

550,821 DALLAS

168,579 PLANO

2,786

OUR CHILDREN’S HOUSE

270,663 TOTAL UNIQUE PATIENTS SEEN

275,575

OUTPATIENT VISITS

22,180

$4.1 BILLION GROSS REVENUE

SURGERIES

7,494

$30.3 MILLION CHARITY CARE*

FACILITY THERAPY DOGS

$251.0 MILLION COMMUNITY BENEFITS**

*Retail value of Charity Care | **2020

601

141,938

ANCILLARY VISITS

LICENSED BEDS

13,227

NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PATIENT DAYS

EMPLOYEES

155,875

TOTAL EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS

45,313

TELE-HEALTH VISITS

104,078 DALLAS

51,797 PLANO

2021 CORPORATE PARTNERS M

ore than three-quarters of consumers believe it is no longer acceptable for companies to just make money; they expect companies to positively impact society as well, according to a recent Cone/Porter Novelli Purpose Study. Corporate donors play a critical role as part of our Red Balloon League. Together, they stand alongside us to help fund clinical programs, patient and family support services, care for the underserved and pediatric research. Your philanthropic support helps Children’s Health accomplish our mission to make life better for children. Together, you help make us the league of extraordinary care.

or more than 30 years, Children’s Health has been a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, operating as the local beneficiary for 40 national fundraising partners in North Texas. In 2021, these partners raised more than $4.1 million through point-of-sale and other fundraising campaigns, bringing lifetime giving to about $36 million.

ince 2007, Panda Express and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have partnered together to change kids’ health and change the future. To date, Panda has raised more than $100 million for numerous CMN Hospitals, including Children’s Health. Panda Express guests and their associates in North Texas have raised more than $2.7 million for Children’s Health since 2007.

PANDA EXPRESS BRINGS HOPE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES, AFTER DONATING $7.5 MILLION TO ESTABLISH THE PANDA CARES CENTER OF HOPE AT CHILDREN’S HEALTH

2021 CORPORATE PARTNERS

oey was 18 months old when she was rushed to Children’s Health after a near-drowning accident. On a feeding tube and barely moving, doctors told her mother, Rebekah, that she’d likely be in a semi-vegetative state for the rest of her life. But as Rebekah leaned over the crib to tell her baby that she loved her, Zoey smiled. And that smile filled Rebekah with hope. “From then on, I knew she was going to be OK,” Rebekah said. Now 12 years old, Zoey loves to talk about the novel she is writing and illustrating. She laughs as she spins donuts in her wheelchair. And she’s proud of how far she’s come since her accident, including eating on her own and bearing about half of her body weight when she stands. She and her mother credit much of her success to the nurses and rehabilitation therapists at Children’s Health. Through several intensive, weekslong therapy sessions, Zoey's clinical team coached Rebekah on how to care for Zoey. Therapists worked with Zoey to strengthen her leg muscles so she could bear some of her body weight, after surgery to correct her inward turning legs and knees left the muscles weakened. Her care team decorated her hospital room to make it feel more like home. And

sometimes a curly-haired therapy dog visited Zoey for cuddles. More importantly, the team gave Zoey and Rebekah hope for a future. Now, Panda Express, a corporate donor to Children’s Health, wants to spread that same hope to more families. Last year, Children’s Health received a $7.5 million total commitment from Panda Express — which includes a new pledge and historical giving made possible by donations from Panda Express customers and employees through the partnership with Children’s Miracle Network — to establish a Panda Cares Center of Hope in the hospital. “I don’t know of another hospital that does intensive therapy like they do. We wouldn’t be as far as we are now without them,” Rebekah said. The Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. Programs offered at the Children’s Health Panda Cares Center of Hope include patient family education, support groups and strength and reflection activities — all of which are designed to give children the ability and courage to thrive. “There's a set of kids who get treated in the traditional hospital,

and when their care is done, they can go straight home. But there are a lot of kids for whom that’s not quite true,” said Brent Christopher, President of Children’s Medical Center Foundation. “Having this designation as a Panda Cares Center of Hope and knowing that Panda Express associates and guests are all stepping up to do their part to be with those families, to be with those kids on their journey toward healing, that is incredibly powerful.” The numerous Panda Cares Centers of Hope across the country are made possible by donations from Panda Express guests and associates. Funds raised in-store and online at Panda Express go toward each store’s local community. Following a multimillion-dollar commitment to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to fund Panda Cares Centers of Hope, Panda and CMN Hospitals have debuted Center of Hope locations at several hospitals in the U.S. from California and Texas to Hawaii and Washington D.C. “It's rare that a corporation really gives this much back to the community,” said Kelli Terpstra, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Children’s Health. “That supports our staff. It supports our families. It supports our children. It's very, very touching to know that they would care to be able to offer that to us.”

BANK OF TEXAS MANDY AUSTIN, DALLAS MARKET PRESIDENT

BANK OF TEXAS FUNDRAISING TOTALS 2019

2020

2021

$17,000

$27,679

$25,000

ACE HARDWARE

ach Jablonowski stood behind the counter, clicking the keys of the cash register as he’s done for the last 16 years, when his parents opened the first Jabo’s Ace Hardware in Coppell. “Would you like to round up your purchase to support Children’s Health?” he asked the customer. The question is one every cashier at the family’s four hardware store locations asks after each transaction because they understand 100% of the money raised when customers round up — no more than 99 cents — goes to support local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals like Children’s Health. In 2020, the Coppell store raised more than $45,000 through Round

ast year, after her nephew had been diagnosed with cancer in his abdomen months earlier, Mandy Austin found herself driving to the roof of the parking garage at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. She makes the one-hour roundtrip drive from her home so she can wave to her sister and nephew from outside their hospital room. Because of COVID-19 safety restrictions, Mandy couldn’t visit her family in the hospital. And even though she couldn’t be there in-person, she knew her nephew was in good hands at Children’s Health. For many years, Bank of Texas and Mandy, Dallas Market President, have been supporters of the hospital system, most recently as the inaugural presenting sponsor for Cape Day, which launched in 2018. In 2021, Bank of Texas returned as the presenting sponsor for Cape Day, which encourages community members to help provide capes to our superhero patients as part of our

Red Balloon League campaign. The campaign recognized the band of team members, volunteers, donors, families and researchers fighting for and raising funds for patients at Children’s Health. “Bank of Texas was a supporter of Children’s Health before this happened to my family,” Mandy said. “But after living the experience firsthand, I see the critical importance of financial support to ensure Children’s Health continues helping families going through some of the scariest moments in their lives.” Now, Mandy’s family understands the impact of the life-saving treatments and procedures happening at Children’s Health. After six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy to reduce the softballsize tumor in her nephew’s abdomen, a recent PET scan showed no signs of disease. “We couldn’t have asked for a better clinical team,” Mandy said. “Children’s Health has a very holistic approach of treating the entire family."

Up for Kids and other efforts to benefit Children’s Health, qualifying the hospital to receive additional grant dollars. Those funds help support the hospital’s area of greatest need and services that rely on philanthropy like the Pet Therapy program and Child Life. "We’re a neighborhood Ace, so we need to support our neighborhood. We can’t expect the community to support us if we don’t support them,” said Zach, who oversees marketing and in-store experiences for the franchise. One of the pioneers among Ace store leaders to begin using round up, Zach often preaches about the benefits of it as a fundraising tool to raise money for pediatric hospitals. More than 50% of customers at the family-owned business opt to round up their purchase. “And no one is donating more than

$1 at a time. It’s just pennies, and that is making a huge impact,” Zach said. “We know the kids who live in Coppell get treated at Children’s Health. We see them and hear their stories. This is as local as it gets.” The family now counts five Ace Hardware locations, most recently opening their fifth and largest store in Rowlett, which benefits Children’s Health through round up. “Our family has been impacted by CMN Hospitals, and it’s hard to find a family that hasn’t,” Zach said. “Where else are you going to put your money?”

2021 CORPORATE PARTNERS

EL RIO GRANDE MARKET

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

n 2021, Ace Hardware Foundation, the charitable division of Ace Hardware Corporation, celebrated its 30th anniversary and its threedecade partnership in fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In 2020, Ace Hardware stores raised a record-breaking $17.9 million for CMN Hospitals.

DFW-AREA ACE HARDWARE FUNDRAISING TOTALS 2019

2020

2021

$129,327

$149,278

$145,079

lmost a decade ago, Hamdy Shalabi and his family opened the first location of El Rio Grande Latin Market on Maple Avenue — a short fiveminute drive from Children’s Medical Center Dallas. And since then, patient families — often tired and worried about their children — have stopped by the neighborhood grocery store for food and to use the money services booth. Hamdy understands their feelings of worry and fear because several years earlier, his son was a patient at the hospital, too. “We spent five nights at Children’s Health, and that was a big piece of the emotional connection for me and my family to the hospital,” said Hamdy, CEO of El Rio Grande Latin Market. “No one wants to be in a hospital, but if you have to be there, Children’s Health is the right place to be.” Since 2014, Hamdy and his family have been supporters of Children’s Health, donating meals and leading point-of-sale campaigns to give back to the hospital, including the 2021 holiday season. In 2018, the Shalabi family donated more than $71,000 to support the Family Resource Library at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, which provided Hamdy’s son with books that sparked his imagination and distracted him from treatment during his hospital stay. And last holiday season, El Rio Grande Latin Market held another point-of-sale campaign to fundraise for Children’s Health. A neighborhood grocer, Hamdy is proud of the role El Rio Grande Latin Market plays in influencing the lives of women and men, who work in the store as their first job, and the support it provides community organizations like Children’s Health. “To us, the people who shop in our store aren’t customers — they are neighbors, and we want to support them in every way we can,” he said.

EL RIO GRANDE FUNDRAISING TOTALS

ince 2014, El Rio Grande Latin Market has been a fundraising partner for Children’s Health. The company has a lifetime giving of more than $332,000 and has supported Children’s Health through meal donations, the Red Balloon League, point-of-sale campaigns and the Hispanic Radiothon.

2019

2020

2021

$71,000

$11,038

$18,000 39

SERVING CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOR

60 YEARS THE WOMEN’S AUXILIARY TO CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER

he Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center has served as advocates for Children’s Health for decades. Members from across North Texas come together to volunteer and raise funds for critical hospital needs that push the mission forward to make life better for children. This year, the Auxiliary celebrates an incredible milestone in their organization — a commitment to service for the last 60 years. Established in 1962, the Women’s Auxiliary began their rich tradition of service through their fundraising, advocacy and volunteering to provide support to the patients, families and hospital staff at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. In the beginning, the Auxiliary focused their support on lifesaving equipment and crucial programs and services,

all the while operating the Women’s n addition to raising funds for Auxiliary Children’s Corner Gift priority programs, the Auxiliary’s Shop — still a favorite stop for all fingerprints remain throughout the hospital visitors. hallways of Children’s Health, nimbly “For years, our dedicated adjusting amidst COVID-19 members managed to provide the important the Women’s Auxiliary services the patients, Children’s Corner Gift Shop families and hospital THE PARTNERSHIP and together we had so staff rely on. BETWEEN THE much fun,” said Debbie Through their innovation, HOSPITAL AND THE Scripps, past Auxiliary the Auxiliary members AUXILIARY IS president, 1991-1992, were able to recognize SO IMPORTANT. Dallas chapter. “The Gift staff with special treats, Shop was a way for all of provide snack baskets LISA ROCCHIO us to see and experience for families in the waiting the important work rooms, distribute essential happening inside the walls hygiene items to those of Children’s Health. From with long-term hospital nurses shopping for their patients stays and serve boxed meals to to cheer them up, to families buying patient families during the holidays. much needed items for their stay in The Auxiliary also provides toys the hospital. Children’s Health really for the Toy Closet, which are used is a special place.” to celebrate significant milestones

2021 WOMEN’S AUXILIARY

in a patient’s care journey, along with craft and activity kits to keep patients and their siblings engaged during their appointments. And most importantly, the Auxiliary creates a festive, magical atmosphere to bring smiles and cheer to everyone spending the holidays in the hospital. “The partnership between the hospital and the Auxiliary is so important,” said Lisa Rocchio, current Auxiliary president, 2021-2022, Dallas chapter. “Everyone is so appreciative and thankful for the contributions of our volunteers. We’ve got the full support of the hospital, which is really special.” More than a decade ago, Children’s Medical Center Plano opened its doors to serve the growing community in Collin County closer to where they live, work and play. The opening of the Plano hospital spurred the launch of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano. And, right from the start, the Plano chapter has been there every step of the way to serve families north of Dallas. “We mirror the Dallas chapter in some ways,” said Lisa Raskin, inaugural Auxiliary president, 20102011, Plano chapter. “But we also created distinct programs and activities unique to Plano to support the needs of areas like with the Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders.

We work with the hospital staff and experts to thoughtfully provide resources and source craft and art supplies to help patients and their families cope as they’re navigating tough and sensitive situations.” The Women’s Auxiliary is a dedicated and diverse group of women who come together to serve a special mission. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, business professionals, civic leaders and community volunteers — all committed to raising awareness and raising dollars. People from across the community participate in cherished traditions, including visits with the beloved NorthPark Santa, Santa’s Workshop, Legacy of Love, Family Night at Six Flags and the BOO Yard Sign Challenge. For the Auxiliary members in Plano, their flagship fundraiser Legacy of Love is commemorating a remarkable achievement, celebrating its 10th year raising funds for Children’s Medical Center Plano. Along with raising

crucial funds for the hospital, the event raises community awareness about Children’s Health. “It’s our biggest fundraiser and is made even more special because it showcases the patients we serve,” said Allison Doyle, current Auxiliary President, 2021-2022, Plano chapter. For decades, the growing Auxiliary in Dallas and Plano has shown dedication and commitment to the patients and team members at Children’s Health. “Sixty years is important because it makes a statement that the Auxiliary is not going away and has remained committed to its purpose of helping make life better for children through all these years,” Scripps said.

THE WOMEN’S AUXILIARY FUNDRAISING TOTALS 2020-2021

OVER 60 YEARS

$870,000

$24,000,000+ 41

BOO YARD SIGN CHALLENGE

he BOO Yard Sign Challenge was back for another spooktacular year, to raise funds so patients can enjoy a special Halloween treat during their hospital stay. Sponsored by Neighborhood Credit Union, friends and families across the community sold more than 2,330 signs, raising over $69,000 for Children’s Health.

NORTHPARK VIRTUAL SANTA VISITS

he Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas continued their cherished holiday tradition by partnering with NorthPark Center for A Season of Giving. Over 800 children, of all ages, enjoyed virtual visits with the iconic NorthPark Santa from the comfort of their home and over 850 patients in-hospital had the chance to experience Santa live from the North Pole. Through this magical experience over $100,000 was raised to support critical needs of the hospital.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP

he Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano hosted Santa's Workshop, in the neighborhood of Deerfield, for a spectacular drive-thru experience. Raising over $35,000, the enchanted winter wonderland allowed participants the opportunity to grab kid-friendly craft kits, a delicious takeaway breakfast and a chance to leave holiday wishes in the North Pole mailbox as they waved to Santa.

2021 WOMEN’S AUXILIARY WOMEN’S AUXILIARY DALLAS CHAPTER

Board of Directors | 2021-2022 Lisa Rocchio Courtney Gilbert Brittany Glendenning Bobbi Shaw Ginny Searcy Arden Ellis Kristin Mitchell Kristin Mitchell Sarah Hall Natalie Lesikar Madison Strode Brittney Hunt Chelsea Hunt Lisa Macaraeg Amy McEvoy Jessica Barnett Joanne Gates Carrie Hanna Merritt Quigley Kacy Tolleson Nikki Kapioltas Alexa Spears Andrea Nayfa Elise Danner Ali Watkins Lisa Leet Allison Fainter Angie Ratliff Suzie Curnes Audra Hopper Katy Brooks Megan Brooks Elle Finney Gina Finney Mary Catherine Finney Meredith Finney Joanna Clarke Shelley Moore Amy Opsal Elizabeth Post Gita Shah Amy Thompson Claire Bussard Caitlin Stinnett Ashley Dana Lindsey Miller Lauren Swann

President President-Elect Treasurer Treasurer-Elect Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Parliamentarian Advisory Boo Yard Sign Challenge Boo Yard Sign Challenge Boo Yard Sign Challenge Breakfast with Santa Spectacular Breakfast with Santa Spectacular Breakfast with Santa Spectacular Breakfast with Santa Spectacular-Elect Change for Children’s Change for Children’s Change for Children’s Change for Children’s Change for Children’s Children’s Art Projects - Holiday Cards Children’s Art Projects - Holiday Cards Children’s Art Projects - Ornament Children’s Toy Closet Children’s Toy Closet Communications and Social Media Deck the Halls Deck the Halls Deck the Halls-Elect Deck the Halls-Elect Family Night at Six Flags Family Night at Six Flags Family Night at Six Flags Family Night at Six Flags Family Night at Six Flags Family Night at Six Flags Family Support Family Support Family Support Family Support Family Support Family Support Gift Shop Gift Shop Gift Shop Treasurer Gifts Gifts

Monica Knake Jamie Singer Stephanie Berry Haylie Crouch Lara Gaither Anna Moss Charlotte Savage Beth Smith Joanna Clarke Annie Fernandez Sally Dutter Monica Egert Smith Amy Lobner Melissa Graham Sally Dutter Jennifer Gunnin Mary Margaret Spies Laura Zeballos Amy Prestidge Mollie Shelby Emily Haddock Kelley Ledford Katie Tauscher Julie Bagley Jill C. Bee Lindsay Billingsley Mary C Corrigan Marie Crowe Christina Durovich Chelsea Duvall Dansby Erwin Gini Florer Jennifer Knox Becky Lacour Carolyn Lane Holly Lawrence Andi Lemme Katherine Lewis Katy Miller Aphrodite Paulos Carol Piering Lillian Richey Bryanna Roop Margot Ruebel Katie Walters Kirsa Williams Liz Young

Hospitality Hospitality Membership Membership Membership Membership Membership Membership Mother’s Day Weekend Dinner Mother’s Day Weekend Dinner New Year's Eve Dinner New Year's Eve Dinner Nominating Public Relations Special Events Special Events Special Events Special Events Staff Appreciation Staff Appreciation Sundaes on Sunday Sundaes on Sunday Sundaes on Sunday Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large Members-at-Large

Amanda Konersmann Caren Zepeda Debi Means Marilyn Mahoney Jennifer Johnson Heather Lothes Diane Danks Jenny Wood Aliina Plunk Jenna Maynard Maggie Tarsinos Amber Wax Lori Antonioli Nannette Pirek Lisa Raskin Carol Schauer Justine Sweeney Janie Burke Kim Gleason

Nominating Patient Support Patient/Family Support Cart Patient/Family Support Cart Patient Support Blanket Coordinator* Patient Support Blanket Coordinator* Patient Support Hospital Party Coordinator* Patient Support Hospital Party Coordinator* The Red Balloon League Santa’s Workshop Santa’s Workshop-Elect* Santa’s Workshop-Elect* Social Media* Special Events Sponsor Development Sponsor Development Staff Appreciation Staff Appreciation Basket Coordinator* Staff Appreciation/Holiday Gift Wrap Coordinator*

WOMEN’S AUXILIARY PLANO CHAPTER

Board of Directors | 2021-2022 Allison Doyle Donna Ivy Melanie Wong Mary Ellen Owen Kathy Schell Christel Morrison Joan C. Smith Elyse Graver Beth Vasil Beth Webb Linda Jung Wong Kelley Feagins Melissa Bullock Diane Hopson Joa Muns Joan C. Smith Sharon Yager Joyce Logan Sheri Steele Heather Webb

President President-Elect Treasurer Treasurer-Elect Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Parliamentarian Boo Yard Sign Challenge Boo Yard Sign Challenge Communications Deck the Halls Deck the Halls-Elect* Graphic Design* Hospitality Hospitality Legacy of Love Benefit & Fashion Show Legacy of Love Benefit & Fashion Show Membership Membership Newsletter*

*Ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors

2021 PHILANTHROPY AS A NONPROFIT, YOUR SUPPORT OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH HELPS US DO MORE THAN PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE. YOU HELP US MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR CHILDREN.

here are many ways you made a difference for Children’s Health in 2021. Because of you, we made major strides to fund lifesaving research to find cures; to expand programs and facilities to provide advanced care and treatment (including breaking ground on an expansion of Children’s Medical Center Plano!); and to improve the health and wellness of kids throughout our community, including their mental health. As we move forward, now is the time to ensure we’re ready to meet the unique and wide-ranging needs of generations to come. Our vision for the future includes: CAMPUS ENHANCEMENTS: Build more patient rooms, facilities and amenities to improve our ability to provide high-quality patient care to the rapidly growing pediatric population of North Texas. RESEARCH: Discover breakthrough treatments and be on the cutting edge of pediatric medicine, allowing our expert team to bring promising new therapies and hope to patients. MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Enhance current programs and create a firstof-its-kind pediatric mental health initiative that will help kids have easier, earlier access to mental health support in their own neighborhoods. As an integral part of our Red Balloon League, we look forward to what we can accomplish together in the years to come.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS,

THANK YOU! 44

GIVING SOURCES

2021

INDIVIDUALS, FAMILY FOUNDATIONS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

$121,706,712.68

CORPORATIONS

$10,589,015.18

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

$3,039,139.56

FOUNDATIONS

$7,789,417.57

ESTATES AND TRUSTS

$3,836,556.67 TOTAL: $146,960,841.66

INDIVIDUALLY, WE’RE STRONG. TOGETHER, WE’RE UNSTOPPABLE. SM

JOIN US ONLINE. T

hank you for joining us in our mission to make life better for children. We’ve made an exciting change this year and moved our donor listings to our expanding digital annual report. To see the donors who stood alongside us in 2021, follow the code with your phone or visit the web address below.

childrensannualreport2021.com

Presort First Class Mail US Postage PAID Dallas, TX Permit No. 2866

2777 N. Stemmons Freeway | Suite 1700 Dallas, Texas 75207 give.childrens.com

Children’s Health President and CEO Christopher J. Durovich

Communications Specialist Greer Johnson

Children’s Medical Center Foundation President Brent E. Christopher

Contributors Robbie Aaron Kyra Barnett Marvis Browder Jessi Cole Harmonie Farrow Colten Hendrik Nicola Lawrence Aracely Munoz Katie Regan Ilyssa Schlereth Angelica Timpany Fatima Villarreal

Chief Advancement Officer Laran O’Neill Communications Director Jessica Kaszynski Content Manager Nanette Light Digital Content Specialist Jason Brynsvold

Design Eric Rob & Isaac Photography Juan Pulido