St. Louis Children's Hospital Magazine: Summer 2025
Editor: Janelle Ammel | Janelle.Ammel@bjc.org
Tanya L. Waskiewicz
Chief Development Officer, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Dear Friends,
I can’t believe we are already more than halfway through 2025! It’s been a busy year at St. Louis Children’s Foundation as we continue to support the hospital’s mission to do what’s right for kids. As the top children’s hospital in the region and a destination for patients from across the world seeking specialized care, we have a responsibility to support our diverse patient population. Because of your support, more than 273,000 children facing serious illness or injury found expert care, hope, and healing at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in 2024.
This issue gives some insight into several projects that focus on bringing our efforts outside the hospital walls and into the community. The new
mental wellness campus, located in nearby Webster Groves, Missouri, will give families and caregivers hope for their kids with a world-class facility that offers a continuum of behavioral health services with children’s healing at its heart. We are also celebrating 20 years of Camp Rhythm, one of our specialty summer camps for children with heart defects. Thanks to generous donors, both projects— while very different from each other—offer muchneeded support to our patients.
You help make it possible for kids to thrive—and for families to hold onto hope. Amazing things are happening because of you. Thank you for your philanthropic commitment to providing essential care for children in our community, across the United States, and around the world. St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation
Warm Regards,
Tanya L. Waskiewicz Chief Development Officer, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
For young adults living with sickle cell disease, transitioning from pediatric care to adult care is a significant milestone. In recognition of this event, a meaningful new donor-funded art installation was recently unveiled. This innovative rite of passage allows graduating patients, like Tristan, to decorate a handprint, which is then shrunk and placed in a display box so each patient can be visible and celebrated for years to come.
It was prom season for our patients this spring thanks to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. A glamourous evening was provided for more than 100 teens with formal wear, professional hairstyles, makeup, and jewelry added to the ambiance. The evening ended with many on the dance floor enjoying a special evening.
The St. Louis Blues hosted their 2025 Blues for Kids “Hockey Havana Nights” Casino Night at Enterprise Center. The event highlighted St. Louis Children’s Champions Kaylee and Logan, who spoke about their medical journeys. All proceeds benefit St. Louis Children’s Hospital and will be used to support the Child Life Zone, a state-ofthe-art therapeutic play area inside the hospital where patients can relax, play, and feel like kids.
Ella’s Umbrella, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing inspiration, connection, and resources for kids with heart conditions, raised more than $21,600 at their annual trivia night benefiting St. Louis Children’s. Ella’s Umbrella was founded in honor of Ella, who passed away in 2017 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. The organization has raised more than $100,000 to date for pediatric heart research and technology.
During National Donate Life Month in April, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Mid-America Transplant hosted a private gathering to honor organ donor families. Held in the serene Olson Family Garden, the event paid tribute to the selfless heroes—organ, eye, and tissue donors—whose generosity provides a second chance at life for both pediatric and adult recipients.
Unexpected Turns Create a Path From Diagnosis to Discovery
With the help of groundbreaking research and a dedicated medical team, Elliana is thriving
Whether you call it fate or coincidence, a particular series of events played a monumental role in Elliana’s journey from diagnosis through treatment. And thanks to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine (WashU Medicine), an 11-year-old child is a shining example of how pediatric research changes lives forever.
In January 2022, Elliana was constantly sick. Whether it was a cold, sinus infection or cough, Elliana couldn’t recover at a normal rate. Her mom, Tina, who is a physician assistant, knew there was something more to her daughter’s constant sickness, and took her daughter to her pediatrician. Elliana was eventually referred to the Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hematology Clinic for a low white blood cell count and saw WashU Medicine hematologist-oncologist David Wilson, MD, PhD.
From left to right: Dr. David Wilson, St. Louis Children’s patient Elliana, and Dr. Melissa Mavers at the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Handprint Ceremony.
Dr. Wilson knew he needed to find answers, so he sent a next-generation genetic sequencing panel to be tested that yielded a very unexpected diagnosis—GATA2 deficiency, a serious congenital immunodeficiency and leukemia predisposition syndrome.
But even more unexpected, Elliana’s family learned that Dr. Wilson cloned the human GATA2 gene as a postdoctoral fellow in 1990. His work laid the foundation for the discovery and naming of GATA2 deficiency syndrome by other investigators in 2011—21 years later.
After her diagnosis, Elliana met with five doctors in five days. In addition to her appointment with Dr. Wilson, she saw WashU physicians from immunology, audiology, pulmonology, and transplant. Tina says it was a whirlwind and extremely emotional. Because this gene mutation is still considered new, there hasn’t been a lot of research into the condition, but Dr. Wilson ensured the family he would provide as much information as he could.
The only path forward for Elliana was a bone marrow transplant to rid her body of her own malfunctioning bone marrow. Her older sister, Madelina, was tested even though she only has a 25% chance at matching her younger sister. Days later Dr. Wilson delivered his second piece of unexpected news—Madelina was a 100% match and eligible to be her sister’s bone marrow donor.
Dr. Wilson knew in March 2023 that he needed to move forward with the procedure. Elliana’s transplant—while taxing physically, emotionally, and mentally—went smoothly. She is now two years post-transplant and is back to her active self. She’s playing soccer, riding horses, and hanging out with her friends.
Elliana’s story illustrates how basic laboratory research ultimately impacts patient care. For Elliana’s family, it’s knowing that further research at WashU Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital will save more children with similar conditions. “Research can save a person’s life,” Tina says. “But research takes a long time. It’s a process and that takes people, time, and money. We want to thank the people who did all that work.”
Helping Hands
Dr. David Wilson, pictured above, was recently awarded a research grant by Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by Hyundai Motor America and its more than 835 U.S. dealers. He will continue to focus on improving outcomes and treatments for children with cancer through the cancer predisposition program. The money was presented during the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Handprint Ceremony, the organization’s signature event in which children impacted by cancer, doctors and researchers, and Hyundai partners place their painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, symbolizing the collective fight against pediatric cancer and hope for a cure.
If you would like to help St. Louis Children’s deliver new breakthroughs sooner and identify new research avenues faster, make a gift at StLouisChildrens.org/Give.
Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Care for Kids
New mental wellness hospital will open its doors in 2026
No family should ever feel alone or without support in their time of need. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many families in the St. Louis region seeking mental health services for their children. Emergency departments (ED) across the area are overwhelmed. Behavioral health bed capacity has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Patients face long waits in the ED for beds due to a massive shortage. St. Louis Children’s Hospital is determined to change the trajectory through a new joint venture to help approximately 4,800 youth each year.
St. Louis Children’s and KVC Missouri are partnering to create an expertly designed, worldclass children’s mental wellness campus offering a continuum of behavioral health services — with children’s healing at its heart. With combined experience and resources, St. Louis Children’s and KVC will provide an ideal healing environment that ensures the safety of our patients, our staff, and the community.
The proposed facility (pictured above) will share space on the campus with existing buildings and outdoor spaces like courtyards and a basketball court.
The state-of-the-art campus, located in Webster Groves, Missouri, will include a full scope of behavioral health services to address the needs of children in our community. Clinical care on the campus will be provided by pediatric specialists from St. Louis Children’s, WashU Medicine, KVC Missouri, and Camber Children’s Mental Health. A pediatric behavioral health inpatient hospital will include 65 beds for kids who need close medical care averaging 5–7 days as well as 12 resident beds for kids who will benefit from extended clinical treatment averaging 30–60 days.
Outpatient services include a partial hospitalization program for patients needing higher levels of care in a more structured environment and an intensive outpatient program for patients with less severe conditions. Patients in either program may receive the following:
• A full mental health assessment
• Intensive psychiatric care and medication management
• Individual, family, and group therapy sessions
• Case coordination
• 24/7 nursing support
• Innovative neuroscience-based treatment and education
Our Goal
The project is backed by $15 million in government funds and matched by $15 million from BJC HealthCare and St. Louis Children’s. Together, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation and KVC aim to raise $41 million from donors to cover capital and initial startup costs.
Investment
Philanthropic Support
($41 million)
BJC/St. Louis Children’s Matching Funds
($15 million)
State and Federal Funds
($15 million)
You can change lives. Philanthropic support ensures all children in our community receive the services they need before mental health issues reach crisis level. Help us build a safe, highquality children’s mental wellness campus. Make a gift today at StLouisChildrens.org/Give.
Faster Help. Better Healing. Brighter Futures
Imagine that a child arrives at St. Louis Children’s ED with concerns of self-harm and suicidal ideation. After being treated and medically cleared, the child receives much-needed support at the children’s mental wellness campus instead of waiting hours or days for an available bed in a hospital.
Going from St. Louis Children’s to the children’s mental wellness campus means that a child will receive consistent care from admission to discharge and beyond. A child will not be overlooked or undertreated in a system of different care providers. Physicians and staff can communicate easily and work together to treat and care for the child. For those with subsequent medical conditions not related to mental health, their care team will be able to monitor all of their medical needs at this location.
We will close the gaps in access and help remove the barriers that keep care out of reach. We will improve children’s wellbeing and save lives.
Innovative Ways to Support Healing
When cancer hit, Camille hit harder
Regina George is a complex character from the movie “Mean Girls.” With such a memorable personality, it makes sense why 11-year-old Camille turned to the 2004 film for inspiration when naming and decorating a 3D replica of the life-threatening tumor located in the base of her neck. According to Camille, “Regina George” is the root of all her problems and in Camille’s own words, started all the bad things that happened to her body. Camille has been on a yearlong mission to beat the golf ballsized tumor. Recently, she did—literally.
The middle schooler took a 3D printed mallet to a 3D printed model of Regina George, the one that her medical team at St. Louis Children’s found when Camille was diagnosed with medulloblastoma.
“This project was the realization of a dream I’ve had for over a decade. And to see how it put the biggest smile on Camille’s face made it all the more impactful.”
–Brian, 3D Printing Engineer
Donning a pair of blue jeans with smiley faces, she pounded the exact replica of the mean girl until it burst into pieces and was a pile of glittery mess. During the school year, Camille was also able to bring the 3D-printed tumor to school and share it with her classmates, who asked thoughtful questions. She was grateful for the opportunity to help them understand what she was going through and truly appreciated their support.
The Medical 3D Printing Center at St. Louis Children’s harnesses technology to support and enhance medical care in a variety of inventive ways—from replicating patient anatomy so surgeons can prepare for upcoming procedures to creating memorable handprints in end-of-life situations. Thanks to donor support, the Foundation funded the initial development and creation of the Center and has continued to fund initiatives and advancements over the past few years. Realizing their services could be used for pediatric patient healing, the team used Camille’s scans and created a 3D model on the computer and then 3D printed an identical replica of her tumor made out of resin.
This idea came to fruition when St. Louis Children’s Child Life Specialist Nikki and 3D Printing Engineer Brian began discussing an opportunity to utilize 3D printing as a way to help patients emotionally process their medical journey. The Child Life Department and 3D lab now work together to create replica tumors for patients and hope to
expand to other areas. Brian explains this is a decadelong dream to provide such a service to patients and he says seeing the smile on Camille’s face while destroying her glitter-filled 3D tumor makes the project worth it.
Creating realistic models like this helps educate patients by giving them a better grasp of what their tumor looks like inside their own body. Camille’s mom, Jenna, said it was emotional seeing the 3D tumor for the first time and it has been a symbolic representation of Camille’s medical journey.
“This project was the realization of a dream I’ve had for over a decade,” says Brian. “And to see how it put the biggest smile on Camille’s face made it all the more impactful.”
The child life specialists believe the 3D printed models have the potential to be therapeutic for patients. While some patients choose to decorate their 3-D model, others, like Camile, have chosen to smash it to pieces.
Jenna says her daughter’s care at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s has been phenomenal. Camille was diagnosed on her birthday last year, which was very difficult. While her prognosis is good, Camille is looking forward to completing her last treatment and resuming normal activities this summer. They plan to get Camille stronger through various therapies and finally taking a family vacation—but Regina George will have to stay home.
Did you know that unrestricted donor gifts help support the many programs and services that are available to kids like Camille and their families? Make a gift today at StLouisChildrens.org/Give.
Left: Camille with the 3D hammer used to smash the 3D replica of her tumor.
Right: The original 3D tumor decorated to look like Regina George of “Mean Girls.”
The Little Shop with a Big Heart
Volunteers band together to create an iconic storefront in their community
For six years, The Nook was a cute shop situated along a busy stretch of high-end boutiques, charming storefronts, and popular local restaurants. Filled with unique gifts, clothes, children’s items, and Missourimade merchandise, it was a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Even better, its proceeds benefited Child Life Services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This past spring, the shop closed its doors, but its legacy will live on.
The Nook was founded by a group of 12 visionary women, led by Mary Lemkemeier, who came together with a common goal to create a store and gathering space that would generate vital support for St. Louis Children’s. Run entirely by volunteers, The Nook opened its doors just six months later. After the first year, the Nook was already considered profitable with zero debt—quite an accomplishment for any new business! Local artists allowed the store to sell their work on consignment and class teachers donated their time as they taught mahjong and art classes and held book signings.
Unfortunately, the store’s second year was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shop’s physical location was forced to close temporarily. Team members pivoted to online sales and personal deliveries. Their customers were incredibly loyal and everyone worked together toward a common goal— providing funds for patients and their families who were dealing with life-changing illness and injury.
A new influx of volunteers allowed The Nook to re-open after COVID and they began the Wishlist, which encouraged customers to purchase toys and books for kids who were spending their holidays in the hospital. Customers flocked to the website to purchase highly sought-after items for the Child Life Services team knowing they would provide comfort to St. Louis Children’s patients.
Child Life Services works with patients and families to develop ways to cope with fear, anxiety, and separation from friends and family by using play, music, art, recreation, and education techniques. The team offers a variety of activities that allow patients to have normal play experiences while they are at the hospital. Generous donors help ensure that patients and families have access to these services that meet their social and emotional needs.
The store continued to shine as its group of volunteers worked daily while their teachers taught, artists created, and customers supported. Pop-up shopping events inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital gave patient families, visitors, and staff the chance
Donation Totals by Year
to shop The Nook’s merchandise inside the hospital’s walls. Unfortunately, the shop’s staff decided to close its doors in February 2025 as they felt it was time to move on to other endeavors. More than 80 volunteers committed to keep the store open 30 hours a week during its six-year run.
While the store is missed by many, its impact was profound—donating almost $190,000 during its time in business. “Working with a variety of people toward the common goal of raising money for Child Life Services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital while building community has been an exceptional experience,” says founder Mary Lemkemeier. “Our St. Louis community is so supportive! The Nook has been an incredible blessing in my life.”
Left: A drawing of The Nook’s storefront was created by St. Louis Children’s patient Liljana and presented to the volunteers as a thank you.
A Heartfelt Thank You for 20 Years of Camp Rhythm
Your support gives kids a summer to remember
Twenty years ago, a nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital named Charlotte spoke with a young patient diagnosed with heart disease and learned that the child was not approved to attend any local summer camps due to her condition and medication needs. Moved by this young patient’s disappointment, Charlotte envisioned a summer camp where children living with congenital or acquired heart defects could fully participate while receiving the medical care they required. Charlotte rallied support from fellow hospital staff, and with support from the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, launched the first overnight heart camp in 2005 with 25 kids attending.
Since then, Camp Rhythm has grown to more than 250 kids from across the Midwest. Today, the camp includes options for either a week-long day camp or overnight camp. Attendees have the full camp experience at Camp Rhythm, including ziplining, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, and more. Because of generous donor gifts, the camp has remained free to attend for two decades—a true testament to the power of giving.
For St. Louis Children’s patient and former camper Jayden, his favorite memories include winning games at the carnival, dancing with friends on the last day, and even waiting more than 20 minutes to catch a fish. He remembers it as the best week of his life and he didn’t want to leave. Now that Jayden is becoming an adult, his camp experience is transitioning to camp counselor. He is looking forward to this role because he wants to encourage other kids to have fun and enjoy the few days away from home.
Many campers make lifelong friends at Camp Rhythm and realize they are not alone in their medical journeys, which is just what the heart doctor ordered.
“Our daughter, Shawn, was born with a severe congenital heart defect in the mid-1970s. She lived until the day after her 6th birthday. At the time, we tried so hard to give her the very best life she could experience in spite of her major health issues. At the time there were no ‘camps’ for children to go and enjoy activities with other children experiencing the same type of health issues. We are so happy to be able to contribute to the programs available to children like Shawn. In planning our estate, we have set aside a contribution to be made to the St. Louis Children’s and Washington University Heart Center, specifically to be used for programs such as Camp Rhythm. How lucky are the children and families who get to experience this kind of ‘kid fun.’ We feel there is no lovelier way to honor our daughter’s life than by donating yearly and in our estate to her memory.”
—Shawn’s parents, Mike and Barb Schmidt
The Table Is Set for the Last Time—But
the Impact Lives On
Childhood-themed finale charms guests at last Table Tops Spring Event
Each year, guests enjoyed strolling through the ballroom admiring the elaborate and detailed table designs.
For the past 22 years, supporters of St. Louis Children’s Hospital have flocked to the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis for the beloved Table Tops Spring Event. The one-of-a-kind event treats attendees to cocktails and boutique shopping before moving into the ballroom to view gorgeous tablescapes created by local florists, event designers, and storefronts. In 2025, the event took its final bow—and delivered a farewell as unforgettable as its legacy.
Each year’s theme brought excitement, and storybooks, fairytales, and children’s songs have all been featured. In 2025, the theme was childhood, and designers were inspired to create their displays influenced by the St. Louis Children’s Champions
favorite things. Harry Potter, Paris, and the Golden State Warriors graced tables this year along with countless flowers, candles, and balloons. The event sold out as past guests came from across the country to celebrate the end of an era and give Table Tops the sendoff it deserved.
Founded by Sally Ledbetter and Kathy Pope and carried forward by the Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, the event raised $2.6 million for St. Louis Children’s Hospital over its 22 years. More than 5,300 guests attended during its remarkable run. Thanks to the time, talent, and generosity of Table Tops supporters, vital programs and family-centered services continue to thrive and give even the sickest kids the chance to be kids.
To be one of the first to learn about Foundation happenings, make sure to sign up for our emails at StLouisChildrens.org/Sign-up-Newsletters or scan the QR Code.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation
1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 160
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.286.0988 or 888.559.9699
StLouisChildrens.org/Giving
WHEN A CHILD IS IN THE HOSPITAL, EVERYTHING CHANGES.
Families are suddenly faced with sleepless nights, emotional strain, and the weight of the unknown. But your monthly support offers something steady—comfort, hope, and relief when it’s needed most.
Your $19 a month gift can:
Provide two patient family caregivers with meals for one day.
Maintain 24/7 access for two families to our Center for Families, a donor-funded hub open 365 days a year that provides snacks, beverages, showers, laundry facilities, and more.
Give monthly. Give meaningfully.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a limited-edition cozy blanket—a reminder of the warmth and hope you provide to families during their most difficult days.
Start Your Monthly Gift Today! Visit StLouisChildrens.org/MonthlyGiving or scan the QR Code to give.
