small
wonders A publication for the donors of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
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Meet Quinn Evans, who aspires to be a doctor thanks to the great care she received at Children’s
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See how one family’s planned gift reflects a lifetime of generosity
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Learn why our System Board Chairman considers philanthropy good for the soul
fall 2013
Strength in numbers
If your child or grandchild has ever been a patient at Children’s, you know how difficult it can be to entrust his or her care to strangers. Every day, our clinical staff earns that trust with their medical expertise and limitless compassion. Just as parents put their faith in our staff, our staff puts their faith in you—our legion of generous donors and passionate volunteer leaders, including people like Jonathan Goldman, Managing Partner of Genesis Capital. In his new role as System Board Chairman, Jonathan is focused on charting the
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation Board
future strategy of our pediatric healthcare system, backed by fellow System Trustees, Children’s CEO Donna Hyland and her executive team. See page 12 for an insightful Q&A session with Jonathan. One of those longtime trustees,
of Trustees
Doug Garges, serves as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board where he helps
Thomas M. Holder, Chairman
planned gift to our not-for-profit organization, as featured on page 6. Between
raise awareness, engagement and funds for Children’s—beginning with his own
Douglas K. Garges, Vice Chairman
these two Children’s boards, we have 51 trustees working tirelessly on behalf of our patients and their families.
Claire L. Arnold
Mary Ellen Imlay
Kathy T. Betty
Mark Kauffman
Doug Black
Scott MacLellan
Virginia Feltus Brewer
Jack Markwalter Jr.
issue) and will present its inaugural event, The Scrubs Party, in spring 2014.
Robert W. Bruce Jr., M.D.
Richard J. McKay
Beyond our boards and ELC, there are countless other groups carrying the
James A. Carlos
Ira L. Moreland
Patricia L. Dickey
Charles H. Ogburn
Dean H. Eisner
William C. Pate
David H. Fagin, M.D.
Beatriz Perez
Molly Fletcher
Nancy E. Rafuse
R. Brad Foster
Christy Roberts
Adam T. Fuller
Lovette Russell
Tom Giddens
John L. Simms II
Eugene A. Hayes III
Scott Slade
Adding to our dedicated volunteer leaders, we also spotlight our Emerging Leaders for Children’s (ELC) group on page 8. Established in 2011, ELC engages rising business professionals and community volunteers in their 30s and early 40s in the mission and vision of Children’s at a leadership level. This exciting group has taken on a fundraising challenge for our ECMO Program (see Quinn’s story in this
Children’s banner into the community. From the Friends organization, to the Children’s Sports Network to Community Advisory Boards and more, Children’s is only as strong as the people behind it—and we are so fortunate that you, our dedicated donors and volunteers, are unstoppable. Sincerely,
Donna W. Hyland
Thomas M. Holder Chairman, Board of Trustees Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation
Fall 2013
Features
Connect with us
The mighty Quinn
The life-saving treatment Quinn Evans received at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta inspired her to pursue a career helping children and families facing similar challenges.
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As a not-for-profit organization, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta pledges to direct the greatest portion of community gifts to serving patients
Giving is part of the Garges family plan
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Through their planned gift to Children’s, Esther and Doug Garges hope to encourage a legacy of philanthropy in their family and community.
and their families. To that end, we produced this report in-house, using the most cost-efficient paper and printing techniques. This book is printed on paper containing a minimum of 10 percent post-consumer waste and is manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner. We
Questions & answers
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Jonathan Goldman, System Board Chairman, shares how his experience with the healthcare industry helps guide his work on behalf of Children’s.
8 Highlights & happenings 10 Around Children’s
encourage you to recycle this magazine or pass it along to friends so they can learn about Children’s.
Help save us money Visit choa.org/smallwonders to sign up to receive this publication electronically and save us related printing and postage costs.
14 Friends around town 17 Mark your calendar
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Fall 2013
The mighty Quinn Quinn Evans is an exceptional teenager. The 16-year-old from Carrollton, Ga., excels in school and is involved in her community. With a broad smile and a ready laugh, she seems like the kind of friend every girl would want and a daughter who would make any parent proud.
She is also lucky to be alive.
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“I now live every day like it could be my last.”
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itting at a picnic table across from her mom, Zoe, Quinn is
at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. When Zoe hesitated about the
perfectly dressed for the summer morning in a bright pink
40-plus-mile drive, the doctor asked why she would take Quinn to a
sundress and open-toed sandals with a matching pedicure.
nearby adult hospital when Children’s has such great pediatric facilities.
Zoe is ready to tell Quinn’s miraculous story. She looks at her daughter with a hint of sadness in her gaze as she launches into
the tale with speed, as though this will make the memories easier to share. “It was August 2008, and I was at school setting up my classroom, getting ready for the new school year,” says Zoe, who is currently assistant principal at Central Middle School, where Quinn would soon be starting the sixth grade. That morning, Quinn was picking blueberries with her brother, Kent, when she began feeling tired and felt a pain in her chest. Zoe attributed the chest pain to a recent day of waterskiing and thought Quinn may be suffering from a flu bug. When Zoe checked in with Quinn later that day, she had not improved and had developed a deep cough. Zoe quickly left school to take her daughter straight to the local pediatrician. By the time they arrived, Quinn had turned blue. Fearing Quinn might have a serious kidney infection, the pediatrician advised them to immediately go to the Emergency Department
Little did Zoe know, the doctor’s advice would help save her daughter’s life. Before she knew it, Zoe was holding Quinn’s hand in the back of a Hope and Will ambulance as emergency technicians gave Quinn oxygen. When they arrived at Egleston, Quinn was checked into a regular room. But, because Quinn was on 100 percent oxygen, protocol required she be moved into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for observation. “I’m so thankful the nurses recognized there might be complications. PICU is prepared for those super fragile kids whose health might take a turn for the worse,” says Zoe. That night, Quinn went into cardiac arrest three times. The emergency team performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a total of 45 minutes, once for 24 minutes straight, to save Quinn’s life. Diagnosed with acute myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, which in this instance was caused by an upper respiratory virus, Quinn needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is life-saving technology that takes over the heart and lung
Fall 2013 functions in critical situations. Quinn was lucky to be at Egleston—one of the few pediatric ECMO centers in the Southeast. While on ECMO, Quinn required heart surgery, and she also suffered a stroke. Quinn’s large group of family and friends were aware she might not survive, and if she did make it, she could have neurological damage from the stroke.
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About Quinn’s treatment
When the picture looked as bleak as it could get, Quinn’s heart regained the strength it needed to work on its own. After six days she was removed from the ECMO machine, recalls the mother who set up a bedside vigil at Egleston. “I never left her side. I ate, slept and showered there.”
What is ECMO? Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO is a life-saving procedure that uses a heart-
Quinn cleared another hurdle when she was taken off the ventilator that was
lung machine similar to the one used in open-heart
helping her breathe. “I was really mad—I thought I had not been given anything
surgery. The ECMO machine consists of several
to drink for 24 hours,” Quinn says. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me I had
parts: a pump, artificial lung, blood warmer and an
been in the hospital for 15 days.”
arterial filter. The machine takes blue blood (without
Recognizing her daughter’s feisty mood, Zoe knew Quinn had won the battle. Once off the ventilator, Quinn was taken to the Cardiac Step-Down Unit where she spent a few days recovering. She was then taken to our Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU). “I was there for two weeks—I had to learn how to swallow, talk and eat again,” Quinn says. “Looking at her now, it’s as though none of that ever happened,” her mother says. “She just bounced right back.”
oxygen) out of the right side of the heart and pumps it through the artificial lung to turn it into red blood (with oxygen). This blood is then warmed and filtered before it returns to the patient. An ECMO machine takes over the work of a patient’s heart and lungs to allow the organs to heal and oxygen levels in the blood to improve. ECMO patients are also connected to a ventilator, which
Quinn did more than bounce back; she is thriving. An honor student with a
keeps their lungs from collapsing. At the beginning
4.12 GPA, Quinn has big plans for her future. After she attends college at The
of the procedure, the ECMO machine does most
University of Georgia, she wants to study medicine at Emory University or
of the work. Patients are slowly weaned from the
Georgia Regents University.
machine as the heart and lungs begin to heal.
“With a life-or-death situation, there is no way to come out of it unchanged.” “I want to be a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s so I can provide others with the great care I received,” Quinn explains, as her mother squeezes her hand, a look of pride on her face. Zoe has praise for the doctors and the entire Egleston staff who took such great care of her family. “The chaplain provided so much comfort, and the child life specialists also did a great job—they really helped Kent cope with his big sister’s illness,” she says. For a girl her age, Quinn has been through a lot. “I used to take everything for granted, just like any kid,” she says. “But when you are faced with a life-or-death situation, there is no way to come out of it unchanged. I now live every day like it could be my last.”
ECMO is considered the last option when treating acute respiratory and heart failure. It was originally reserved for children predicted to have only a 20 percent chance of survival. Currently, cardiac ECMO is used when a child’s heart is not strong enough to keep him alive. While some patients need ECMO before heart surgery, cardiac ECMO is mainly used after conventional cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, either because a child cannot be weaned from bypass or because he experiences clinical decline in the Intensive Care Unit after surgery.
Did you know? The Children’s ECMO Center is the national and international leader in pediatric ECMO.
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“Philanthropy is something you live.”
Giving is part of the Garges family plan Atlanta natives, Esther and Doug Garges, met in kindergarten and started dating as freshmen at The University of Georgia. The couple is passing on a legacy of giving to their children—one that began in the 1960s with Doug’s father—and spans three generations.
Fall 2013 The couple perpetuated the Garges family legacy of giving when
Doug now advises the organization about its real estate
they generously named Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as the
needs, and his involvement includes major projects such as the
beneficiary of their individual retirement account (IRA). Doug,
redevelopment of our Egleston and Scottish Rite hospitals. “We
who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Children’s Foundation
doubled the size of both facilities and delivered the projects on
Board of Trustees, stresses that the donation was made on behalf
time and on budget,” he said. The real estate executive also
of the entire family. “This is something we hope our children and
helped oversee construction at our Hughes Spalding hospital
grandchildren will continue after we’re gone,” said Doug.
and served a term as Chairman of the Children’s System Board
The couple made the planned gift when they revised their wills.
Finance Committee.
“Donating proceeds from an IRA to a charitable organization is an
Doug is continually impressed with the Children’s leadership and
easy way to begin to give,” Esther said. “It is something anyone
believes “they are the most professional group of people I have
can do, regardless of their financial situation.” Recently, Esther and
ever been around.”
Doug have continued their philanthropy by funding the Garges Family Laboratory in the Health Sciences Research Building, a partnership between Children’s and Emory University.
Esther, a member of two of the Children’s giving societies, Circle of Care and Hope’s Circle, also enjoys her work on behalf of Children’s and is pleased the organization offers so many
Philanthropy runs deep in the Garges family. Doug’s father, Herbert
opportunities to help. “Giving should be on everyone’s agenda,”
Kelly Garges Jr., was vice chairman of the Board of Directors for
she said. “Philanthropy is not something you learn—it is something
the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI), and Doug became
you live.”
chairman of CVI years later. Today, Doug’s son, Kelly, has joined the CVI board. “Our involvement spans three generations,” Doug said. “My father would be proud of the legacy he inspired.” After overseeing the acquisition and build out of a new headquarters for CVI in Midtown, Doug searched for a new challenge. “I was looking for an organization that needed someone with real estate expertise,” said Doug, Vice President of Cummings, Horsley & Maddox, an Atlanta-based commercial real estate firm. In 2004, a friend mentioned that Children’s needed someone to help with real estate projects. “I filled a need, and I accepted the invitation to join the Foundation Board,” Doug said. A year later he also joined the Children’s System Board.
Make a tax-free gift from your IRA Are you 70.5 years or older? Your chance to make a tax-free gift from your individual retirement account (IRA) for 2013 ends Dec. 31. You can transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to a qualified charity such as Children’s. Since the transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, you do not have to itemize the deduction on your tax return to take advantage of this opportunity. Visit choa.org/plannedgiving to learn more.
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Highlights & happenings Get ready to run Lace up your running shoes and join us for the 29th annual Kids II Strong Legs Run, Saturday, Nov. 2, at Turner Field. Whether you are a long-distance runner or prefer to walk, this event has something for everyone. Even our youngest participants can get in the spirit during the Mascot Trot or Stroller Roll. The festivities will include music, refreshments, prizes and awards. Register now to participate and help us raise funds for our patients and families. Visit choa.org/stronglegs for more information.
Fashion and fundraising Calling all fashionistas. Join us for a day of high style for a good cause at the Saks Fifth Avenue First Look Fashion Show and Luncheon Monday, Nov. 4. The lower level of Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps Plaza will be transformed into a special runway for the event, hosted by Co-chairs Sarah McElroy and Kimbrell Stribling. The “Best of Saks” fashion presentation will follow a champagne reception and silent auction. Proceeds from the event benefit Marcus Autism Center. Visit choa.org/saksfashionshow or contact Jeanne Walters at 404-785-9402 or jeanne.walters@choa.org to purchase individual tickets or reserve a table today.
Dr. Ami Klin and Don Mueller of Marcus Autism Center posed with models at the 2012 Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show featuring designs from Max Mara.
Emerging Leaders for Children’s to host inaugural Scrubs Party Emerging Leaders for Children’s (ELC) will host its inaugural Scrubs Party Saturday, March 22, 2014, in a private hangar at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. In addition to live music, guests will enjoy a silent auction featuring scrubs decorated by celebrities. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Critical Care Program and ECMO Center. Established in 2011, ELC engages rising business professionals and community volunteers in their 30s and early 40s at a leadership level. Stephanie Blank, a Children’s Trustee and philanthropist, serves as a mentor to the 22-member group, which operates under the oversight of the Children’s Foundation Board of Trustees. Visit choa.org/elc to learn more about ELC and the Scrubs Party.
Several ELC members and mentor Stephanie Blank gathered for a recent social event.
Fall 2013
Tim Hudson Atlanta Braves Celebrity-Am presented by Fidelity Investments Atlanta’s largest field of celebrities and amateurs teed off at our 21st annual golf tournament in August. The two-day event benefited patients of our Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. St. Marlo Country Club hosted golfers on the first day of play, followed by an Auction and Draw Party at the City Club of Buckhead. The greens of Atlanta National Golf Club, Hawks Ridge Golf Club and White Columns Country Club welcomed players at the Celebrity-Am tournament’s second day. Children’s would like to thank Kim and Tim Hudson, the Atlanta Braves, Fidelity Investments, Outback Steakhouse, City Club of Buckhead, and our celebrity participants for being part of this popular event, which raised more than $110,000 in 2013. The Georgia Power Charitable Giving team won first place honors. Shown left to right: Kevin George, Sam Aube, Charlie Leibrandt, Jeff Petrea and Gene Hallman.
Nutrition takes center stage The Kohl’s Healthy Halls School Wellness Program is scheduling educational performances at elementary schools in metro Atlanta throughout the school year. Facilitated by a professional theater company, these 40-minute programs are a fun way to teach kids about the importance of nutrition and physical activity. Coordinated by the Children’s Strong4Life movement, this free wellness initiative is made possible by a generous grant from Kohl’s Cares. Visit strong4life.com/kohlshealthyhalls for more information.
UGA and GT fans show team spirit to fight cancer During the first week of September, Children’s welcomed the start of another exciting college football season with the launch of our Kicking Childhood Cancer campaign. Retailers around the state took part in this month-long effort to raise funds for childhood cancer research at our Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Fans showed their support for University of Georgia or Georgia Tech football by purchasing a football icon for $1 each at participating retailers. Customers kept the icons as souvenirs or added them to the in-store displays to help fan the flames of good-natured rivalry for a worthy cause.
Falcons coach rallies players for our CMN Hospitals In April, Atlanta Falcons players traded their football uniforms for aprons to raise funds for our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Huddle Up for Miracles. Players and coaches served dinner and cocktails at the event hosted by Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith. They also showcased their karaoke talent as they competed for “tips” from guests at the event at 103 West in Buckhead. The evening featured a live auction with prizes any fan would covet—from a round of golf with quarterback Matt Ryan and Coach Smith to a day as an honorary member of the coaching staff. The night’s festivities scored a record-setting $250,740 for cardiac Falcons QB, Matt Ryan, entertains the crowd.
services at Children’s.
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Around Children’s Our physicians ranked among Atlanta’s top docs Atlanta magazine named 83 physicians from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in its listing of the city’s top doctors. Laurence Greenbaum, M.D., Ph.D., our Chief of Pediatric Nephrology, was among those featured. In addition to Dr. Greenbaum’s clinical expertise, he boasts the skills of a master juggler. Dr. Greenbaum and his wife, Jordan Greenbaum, M.D., Medical Director of the Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children, are also avid supporters of the 1998 Society, the Children’s philanthropic society for physicians. Check out the July issue of Atlanta magazine to see the full list. Visit atlantamagazine.com/issues/2013 to read the complete story. Top doc, Laurence Greenbaum, M.D., shows off his silly side.
Expanding our care to help our kids In order to keep up with the growing pediatric population in Georgia and the surrounding area, we are expanding our facilities and adding hospital beds, a child life playroom and a parent lounge to our Egleston and Scottish Rite hospitals. We are also increasing the size of critical care areas such as our Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) and medical/surgical rooms. Construction will begin this fall at an estimated cost of $30 million. Children’s is investing $20 million in the project and is seeking to raise $10 million from the community over the next year and a half.
Spoken Communication Core opens at Marcus Autism Center Gaps in social communication are common characteristics of autism. The Spoken Communication Core at Marcus Autism Center seeks to understand why children with autism spectrum disorders have problems learning to speak. Through partnerships between Children’s, Emory University School of Medicine and Florida State University, the program focuses on vocal development in a child’s first three years. Our state-of-the-art technologies measure aspects of a child’s social communication so that we can give every child a voice. These advancements are possible through the generous support of our donors, including The Marcus Foundation, Inc., Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and the Georgia Research Alliance.
Fall 2013
Health navigator joins Hughes Spalding team Lachelle Witherspoon, R.N., has joined our Hughes Spalding
Long term, having a health navigator on the Hughes Spalding
hospital care team as health navigator. Lachelle has begun her
care team will help the hospital earn its designation as a
tenure by focusing on patient families with newborns, hoping to
Patient-Centered Medical Home, an initiative of the National
help increase immunization rates and the “show rate” at
Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA), an organization that
well-child and development screening appointments.
sets standards for the healthcare industry.
Hearing Loss Program gives children hope Though they may have challenges with communication, children with hearing loss are still able to reach their full potential. Our Hearing Loss Program provides a wide range of medical services for patients from birth to age 21. Under the direction of Brian Herrmann, M.D., Medical Director, our talented team of pediatric-trained ear, nose and throat doctors, audiologists, social workers, child psychiatrists, and therapists provides comprehensive care, support and education to our patients and their families. In cases of profound hearing loss, we offer cochlear implant surgery. Contact us at 404-785-7174 or visit choa.org/hearingloss for more information about the program and how you can help our patients reach their full potential.
New treatment offers hope for relapsed neuroblastoma patients Children’s recently treated our first patient with therapeutic I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). MIBG delivers a high dose of radiation directly to a tumor while preserving normal adjacent tissue. While MIBG is not curative, it is one of the most effective treatments for children with relapsed neuroblastoma, a cancer of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. The treatment also offers fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. More importantly, it may provide a better quality of life. Children’s is one of the few centers in the country offering this treatment. Funded by Press On To CURE Childhood Cancer, the Children’s MIBG treatment facility has a unique, two-room design to protect family members from radiation exposure. Families can communicate, watch movies and play video games together using our specialized closed-circuit TV system.
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Questions & answers Jonathan D. Goldman, Founder and Managing Partner of Genesis Capital LLC., has been unofficially preparing for his work with Children’s since birth—he was born while his father was attending medical school to become a pediatric surgeon. The investment banker worked with not-for-profit healthcare providers when he began his career as a financier on Wall Street 25 years ago. Jonathan’s exposure to both the clinical and financial aspects of the healthcare industry has given him the perfect skill set for his role as Chairman of the Children’s System Finance Board.
“Becoming involved with Children’s is the best ‘soul food’ anyone can imagine.”
Fall 2013
How did you become involved with Children’s? Doug Hertz, former chairman of the Children’s Board of Trustees,
How do you balance your charitable involvement with your other commitments?
and Stephanie Blank, former Foundation Board chair, invited me
Balance is an interesting term. It implies two ends of a scale. But,
to lunch to discuss Children’s and see if I was willing to become
life is multifaceted—sometimes more like a 3-D Chinese puzzle!
involved. They “had me at hello.” I had been interested in
Whatever your passion is in life, you figure out how to make it
Children’s for some time, between my personal experience with
part of your priorities. I love the saying from my grandfather’s
three active sons, and my professional experience with healthcare
generation: “If you want an important job done, ask a busy person
finance and mergers. I felt Children’s was an organization where I
to do it.” We are so fortunate to have some of the community’s
could contribute my experience in a meaningful way.
most influential leaders give so much to Children’s, even though they are incredibly busy, they give so generously of their time and
How has your professional experience been of benefit to your work with Children’s?
talents. I am so inspired by our trustees and motivated by the
My first job on Wall Street was working with and financing
thing in perspective.
not-for-profit healthcare providers. While I have worked with companies in other industries since then, I have stayed involved in the healthcare industry throughout my career. This industry
importance of the Children’s mission. It puts the whole “balance”
How has your philanthropy made an impact on your life?
has been in a continuous state of change and has recently
Philanthropy is “soul food;” it has a tremendous impact on your
faced significant reform. With change comes opportunity, and
life from all perspectives. Being involved with any great cause
Children’s is taking action to anticipate and act on the trends
is extremely rewarding and provides a great deal of satisfaction
we are seeing in other areas of the country. My professional
and personal fulfillment. I have had the honor of working with
experience has helped me stay on top of the organization’s
several worthy philanthropic causes, but all it takes is one walk
opportunities, issues and key initiatives.
through the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), heart transplant area, Emergency Department, wellness event, or any of the other
Is there an initiative that you have found especially meaningful?
important programs at Children’s, and you will know why I think
I am impressed by the sheer number and breadth of initiatives
What is your advice for budding philanthropists?
the organization takes on every day. I credit our deep bench of physicians, nurses, researchers, management and staff, as well as our partners, donors and volunteers. Excellence seems to be the hallmark of everything Children’s sets out to do. There are too many remarkable things to list, let alone single out. Our board is currently working with the Children’s management team to update and implement our strategic plan. There is significant change occurring in the healthcare industry, and we want to be proactive rather than reactive. While we just started this process earlier this year, a tremendous amount of work has been done and progress is being made at an impressive rate. I am so proud of our management team and board members for the time, effort, focus and care they have committed to this most important initiative. Stay tuned—there is more to come.
Children’s ranks number one on the “soul food” scale.
I love the Nike slogan, “Just Do It.” Being involved with Children’s is so easy. There are so many ways to be involved— from activities to events and committees. Just look at the calendar on our website; it seems like there is something going on almost every day all around metro Atlanta. Visit choa.org/events to view a listing of upcoming events and to become more involved.
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Friends around town The Summer Sizzle Guests enjoyed Mexican cuisine and mariachi music at the third annual Summer Sizzle. The August fiesta at Summerour Studio on Atlanta’s Westside featured music by the Bradley Cole Smith Band and a silent auction. The event raised $90,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Derby Day While the nation watched the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” more than 200 guests cheered at the seventh annual Derby Day party presented by Johns Creek Friends. Guests held court in their best Kentucky Derby-style fashions at the event that was held at Country Club of the South in May.
Cheers for Children Nearly 600 of Atlanta’s young professionals gathered for the fifth annual Cheers for Children event in June at the W Atlanta Midtown hotel. Budding business tycoons enjoyed an evening of networking and fundraising. Hosted by the Friends Junior Committee, the event raised $20,000 for Children’s.
Nine at Night Chastain Friends hosted the eighth annual Nine at Night twilight golf tournament in April at the North Fulton Golf Course at Chastain Park. A record success, the event raised more than $50,000 for Children’s. The festivities were made possible through the leadership of the Nine at Night Chair, Moira Denton, and Chastain Friends Co-chairs, Melissa Ginsberg and Masami Middleton.
Fall 2013
Friends around town upcoming events
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Every four years, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the renowned Radio City Rockettes triumphantly returns to Atlanta for a night of holiday joy. This year, Children’s will benefit from one special performance, Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. We would like to thank Delta Air Lines, for sponsoring this evening of entertainment. Featuring brand new scenes, sets and costumes, breathtaking special effects, and an unforgettable finale, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a great way to kick-off the holiday season. The Rockettes will perform five new numbers that showcase their signature precision moves. You can mingle with the Rockettes at a VIP reception following the performance. And, if you have always wanted to be a part of a high-kicking chorus line, visit our website to become a family sponsor and take a class with the famous dance troupe. Reservations won’t last long, so visit choa.org/rockettes to become a sponsor or purchase tickets today.
Hope and Will Ball The 11th annual Hope and Will Ball will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, at the St. Regis Atlanta hotel in Buckhead. The black tie gala honors Foundation Trustee Jimmy Carlos and his wife, Helen, President of the Marcus Advisory Board and Marcus Board member, for their generosity to Children’s. Featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, live auction and dancing, this is the largest annual fundraising event of the year for Children’s. It will sell out quickly, so get your tickets soon. Visit choa.org/hopeandwillball for more information. Committee chairs for the 2014 Hope and Will Ball, led by Liz Shults and Kay Douglass, are busy planning our largest annual fundraiser.
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Friends around town upcoming events
Merry and Bright Brighten the holidays by purchasing festive ornaments, vibrantly colored trees or giant toy soldiers to honor patients, families and caregivers. The second annual Merry and Bright program will take place at our Egleston hospital to benefit the Ryan Seacrest Foundation’s in-hospital studio, Seacrest Studios. Decorations will be on display through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Visit choa.org/merryandbright or call Kathy Hastings at 404-785-8946 to learn more about the program.
Taste of Dunwoody Dunwoody Friends are looking forward to the 11th annual Taste of Dunwoody on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014. This year’s event will be better than ever at our new, expanded location, the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. This annual evening will feature live music performed by Yacht Rock Revue, food tastings from more than 30 Dunwoody restaurants and a silent auction. Visit choa.org/tod for more information and to purchase your tickets before they sell out. Co-chairs, Amanda Becker and Tracey Nies, with Rosemary Gorham, are busy planning another successful Taste of Dunwoody.
Poker Tournament Do you feel lucky? Test your poker skills at Kevin Rathbun’s second annual Celebrity Poker Tournament, benefiting Children’s. You won’t want to miss this event on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, at Kevin Rathbun Steak. Visit choa.org/poker for table sponsorships and to purchase tickets.
Fall 2013
Mark your calendar The Children’s Christmas Parade Santa’s got a brand new route. The 33rd annual Children’s Christmas Parade will march through Midtown this year. The largest holiday parade in the Southeast will feature festive floats, giant helium-filled balloons and award-winning marching bands. The Distinguished Clown Corps—a group of Atlanta community leaders and business executives who make a difference by donning red noses and curly clown wigs to benefit Children’s—will also be part of the day’s festivities. The parade will start at 16th Street and travel down Peachtree Street to 5th Street. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus Saturday, Dec. 7, to kick-off your holiday season with this Atlanta tradition. The day’s events will be broadcast live on WSB-TV. Bleacher tickets are on sale now. Visit choa.org/parade for more information.
Kids II Strong Legs Run Nov. 2 choa.org/stronglegs Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show Nov. 4 choa.org/saksfashionshow Radio City Christmas Spectacular Nov. 12 choa.org/rockettes
Poker Tournament Jan. 26, 2014 choa.org/poker Hope and Will Ball Feb. 1, 2014 choa.org/hopeandwillball Cards for a Cause Feb. 19, 2014 choa.org/cardsforacause
Teddy Bear Crusade Dec. 6 teddybearcrusadeatlanta.org
Family Fin Fest Feb. 23, 2014 choa.org/finfest
Taste of Dunwoody Jan. 25, 2014 choa.org/tod
ELC Scrubs Party March 22, 2014 choa.org/elc
Visit choa.org/events for information about these and all events supporting Children’s.
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FBI Agent for a Day ©2013 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Inc. All rights reserved. STEW 953947.cb.8/13
By Scott Stephan, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation When a 12-year-old cancer patient shared her story on the radio, she mentioned her dream of becoming an FBI agent.
Are CT Scans Safe? By Kimberly E. Applegate, Pediatric Radiologist, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.R The debate about CT scans for kids and their effect on childhood cancer is growing. Parents should arm themselves.