gifts “I love this place. I love everything about this place,” she says, smiling a broad, light- up-the-room smile. Talk about crazy amazing. How this 18-year-old has been able to maintain a positive attitude about anything is a little bewildering after hearing about her harrowing journey. Willow was born with a genetic

time bomb that detonated her freshman year of high school.

A mutation in one of her genes causes chronic pancreatitis (CP), while a different mutated gene unfortunately makes CP nearly

impossible to treat. CP results in

progressive, irreversible destruction of the pancreas. Along the way, it wreaks havoc on its victims’ lives. Through her sophomore, junior and senior years,

Willow was hospitalized more than she was at school. Instead of enjoying a promising cross country and track career and hanging out with her friends at school, she became close

friends with her St. Louis Children’s Hospital 8 West nurses. Her “crazy amazing” gastroenterologist, Dr. Faris Murad, who performed several advanced endoscopic procedures to remove the pain-inducing stones that formed in her pancreas also became a mentor to Willow. Ultimately, her painful pancreatitis attacks became too frequent to manage, and Willow’s only hope was to have a total pancreatectomy involving the removal of the pancreas, spleen, gall bladder, appendix and part of the intestines.

Meet WillowCrazy amazing. That’s how Willow Tolly describes the care she received at St. Louis Children’s Hospital over the past four years.

? DID YOU KNOW? Featuring fun facts about our new Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. Generous donations allowed designers to weave in traditional elements found at the hospital’s Kingshighway campus, like the playful metal giraffe sculpture, into the design of the new Specialty Care Center.

A publication of St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation • Showing the positive impact your gifts make in the lives of children.

Fall 2015

In this issue:

“I’m so lucky to have had

such a great team on my side.

I know I could not have

gotten through the last four

years without them.”

—Willow Tolly

“I didn’t even know you could live without your pancreas,” Willow says. In fact, you can, but not without complications, as she learned in the months following her return to her home in Edwardsville, Ill. “I was doing great. I had used summer school to make up what I missed my almost-entire junior year and was sailing through my senior year.” That is, until her second semester. While her friends were gearing up for prom, graduation and a fun-filled summer before college, Willow battled on. Doctors thought she was going into sepsis, but then found

continued on back

2 | KIDstruction Week Marks MilestoneFrom a simple idea, to a fundraising model, KIDstruction Week celebrates $1 million raised.

4 | U.S. News RankingOf the 184 pediatric hospitals surveyed nationwide, only 21 ranked in all 10 specialties— including St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

5 | Volunteer SpotlightStephanie Schmidt brings the hospital’s volunteer culture to the new St. Louis Children’s Specialty Care Center.

? DID YOU KNOW? Featuring fun facts about our new Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. An internal bike track with picket fence graphics surrounds the interior of the therapy center and gives patients the feeling of riding on a sidewalk.2

Rich Ledbetter, who led the civil construction firm Castle Contracting for 15 years, doesn’t do anything halfway. So when, after being on the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation development board for a few years, he felt he wasn’t making enough of a contribution, he considered resigning. But, after a conversation with

a Castle Contracting foreman whose son was being treated for pneumonia at the hospital, it hit him.

“Why not create a way for people in the construction trades to support the hospital in a meaningful way?” Ledbetter says. “These are salt-of-the-earth folks with huge hearts and pride in their community.” KIDstruction Week was born. During one

week in August, Ledbetter gave his employees the opportunity to contribute $1 for each hour

worked. The idea spread like wildfire, he says. “One hundred percent of our 80 tradesmen

participated. We grew closer as a company because we heard each other’s stories about Children’s. That’s when we thought, let’s take this to the greater construction community and see what happens.” For the past five years, regional architectural, engineering and construction industries have joined together in support of Children’s Hospital through KIDstruction Week. The companies can match their employees’ gifts as a percentage of their choice or make a lump-sum donation to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. More than 120 companies participated in the 2015 campaign, completed in August, with many of the companies matching their employees’ gifts dollar for dollar. Since the program began in 2011, KIDstruction Week has raised more than $1 million. Funds raised help Children’s Hospital fulfill its promise of providing a superior patient experience through such programs as music and art therapy, pediatric neuro-critical care, the hospital’s Family Resource Center and sibling playroom and the Healthy Kids Express mobile health vans. Chairing the campaign for the third year in a row, Patrick Kozeny, president, Kozeny-Wagner Construction Services, shares Ledbetter’s passion for building KIDstruction Week participation in the St. Louis construction community. He matches that passion with energy generated from his family’s personal experience with the hospital.

In 2005, while visiting her cousins in California, the Kozenys’ then 10-year-old daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a very rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. “We were devastated,” he says, “and naturally were willing to travel the globe to find the best of the best for her. As it turns out, we had that in Dr. Josh Rubin, right here in St. Louis.” Joshua Rubin, MD, PhD, a pediatric neuro-oncologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, had been a Harvard University mentor to the Los Angeles doctor who took care of Elizabeth. “When we arrived back in St. Louis, Dr. Rubin was our first stop, and he did not disappoint,” Kozeny says. “He is one of the most talented and compassionate caregivers a parent could ever ask for. We have been blessed to have him orchestrating Elizabeth’s care.” That level of skill and compassion, Kozeny says, is the rule, not the exception, at Children’s. That and the fact that Elizabeth is a vibrant, healthy 20-year-old and a college student celebrating her 10-year anniversary being cancer-free are two of the many reasons he dedicates so much time to making sure KIDstruction Week gets bigger and better each year. “In our fifth year of KIDstruction, we have pushed the total amount raised over the $1 million mark and we hope to eventually raise that amount every year,” Kozeny says. “But most importantly, we want St. Louis Children’s Hospital to always be able to attract and retain the best and brightest talent. We want the hospital to continue exploring new frontiers in pediatric care.”

KIDstruction Week Makes Big ImpactA shared passion of two St. Louis construction industry leaders turns into model for fundraising success

Remember those rainy summer afternoons when you and your friends broke out the games? Oh, to be a kid again, when world domination of RISK and BATTLESHIP was possible, and bragging rights from winning OPERATION or CLUE were all that mattered. Or how about those blissful days spent in SUPER MARIO WORLD? On November 21 at St. Louis Union Station, get ready to relive your greatest childhood victories at Play Date, the unique and totally-not-boring adult fundraising event for St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Imagine a room full of the best childhood games and toys, some larger-than-life! For one night only, check your

Game On at Play Date 2015

2014 Play Date guests were treated to a surprise roller skating afterparty.

Pat Kozeny (left) and Rich Ledbetter visit with Corbin, a 3-year-old patient at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

responsibilities at the door and experience a return to childhood. After all, that’s what we do best at St. Louis Children’s Hospital: we help kids be kids. “We are so excited to bring back the excitement and surprises of Play Date in 2015,” says event chair, Heather Hawk Lalumondiere. “Bring your childhood memories and a youthful spirit—this is truly an event like no other!” It’s GAME ON at Play Date 2015. Visit StLouisChildrens.org/PlayDate and register today.

Spoehrer Scholarships AwardedIn June, the Friends Board gathered to celebrate the 2015 recipients of the Jane Spoehrer Memorial Scholarship. The Friends established the Spoehrer Scholarship to honor Jane Spoehrer’s commitment and dedication to volunteerism. Each year, the

Friends and Young Friends: Doing What’s Right for Kids

Friends award the Spoehrer Scholarship to deserving youth for their volunteer commitments to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The 2015 recipients included Paul Bigg, Shane Eyermann and Nicole McAmis (pictured here with (L-R) hospital President Joan Magruder, Sally Lemkemeier and granddaughter Sally, and Susan Elliott).

Young Friends Happy Hour to Support Patients with Sickle Cell On July 15, the Young Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital held a happy hour to collect items for the hospital’s Camp Crescent, a donor-funded summer camp for children living with sickle cell disease. The Young Friends donated everything from pool floats and sunscreen, to marshmallows and graham crackers for the camp’s bonfire and talent show party.

Friends Visit Camp Independence and Connect with CampersOn July 15, several members of the Friends Board visited Camp Independence. Carol Hatfield (pictured here with a camper), a donor to this program, also visited and met several campers and their parents who shared their appreciation for her support of the camp. Thanks to the support of Carol and Paul Hatfield, the Friends, and many of the Foundation’s generous donors, hundreds of children with motor disabilities have enjoyed this one-of-a-kind sports therapy camp since it began in 2003.

On May 18, golfers gathered for the annual Joe Buck Classic at Old Warson Country Club. Since its inception in 2000, the event has raised more than $6 million for the Joe Buck Imaging Center, which gives St. Louis Children’s Hospital patients access to the most advanced imaging devices in the world. “People just want to give to the hospital,” says Buck. “It just means the world to me that people come out to support this event.” The St. Louis Rams once again joined in on the fun, which included 18 holes on the prestigious course and a special dinner auction. Joining dinner auction attendees was a special patient named Luke. He and his family shared the story of their hospital journey, which includes Luke’s cancer diagnosis in 2014, and many subsequent visits to the Joe Buck Imaging Center. As a big sports fan, Luke enjoyed meeting some of his favorite St. Louis sports figures, some of whom now proudly wear his #IGotThis bracelet during games!

Thanks to our generous 2015 Joe Buck Classic sponsors:

Joe Buck Classic Celebrates 15 Years 2015 golf tournament raises $435,000 for Joe Buck Imaging Center

Major SponsorAlbrecht Family Foundation

Ace SponsorNestlé Purina PetCare

Eagle SponsorsAlberici Constructors Anita & John O’ConnellApollo Aviation GroupBJC HealthcareBlackstone/GSO Capital Partners

Centric GroupDePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc.DTZEnterprise Holdings FoundationGarrison Investment Group III Capital ManagementSt. Louis RamsUlrich Medical USAU.S. Bank

Birdie SponsorsEdward JonesNewSpace

Par SponsorsJet Linx Lazard Asset ManagementNorthern TrustPonder & Co.RawlingsRBC Capital Markets

Joe Buck with Luke and his family at the Joe Buck Classic

3Gifts Fall 2015 StLouisChildrens.org/giving 888.559.9699

The Friends and Young Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital don’t take summers off from their efforts to support our patients! Here are a few recent events led by these groups.

Children’s Hospital Launches Scene Response Program

U.S. News Ranks St. Louis Children’s Hospital in All 10 “Best Children’s Hospital” Specialties

Bringing Pediatric Life-Saving Skills Directly to Accident Scenes

St. Louis Children’s is only St. Louis hospital to rank in all 10 U.S. News categories

On July 1, St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Critical Care Transport Team became one of the first pediatric hospitals in the nation—and the first in Missouri and Illinois—to offer scene response—the capability of sending a pediatric specialty care team via helicopter directly to the scene of an accident involving children. “There is a time-critical factor for trauma—the first 60 minutes or the ‘golden hour’—when rapid treatment can have a significant impact on outcomes for patients,” says Martin Keller, MD, Washington University pediatric surgeon and St. Louis Children’s

Hospital (SLCH) trauma medical director. “Providing scene response is a cutting-edge service enhancing our ability to ensure pediatric trauma patients receive the kinds of immediate interventions that have the potential for improving children’s response to treatment.”

The scene response program continues what has been an ongoing effort by SLCH to ensure injured children receive the highest level of care as quickly as possible. Two years ago, the Transport Team embedded nurses and paramedics at two rural hospitals, Alton Memorial in the Metro-East and Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Mo. One of the team’s two medical transport helicopters, is housed at each hospital. The two registered nurses and flight paramedic who make up each scene response crew already were certified for neonatal care, pediatric intensive care and pediatric trauma. In order to provide care outside of a hospital setting, the nurses underwent additional training to obtain certification in pre-hospital trauma life support. The Scene Response Program is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Requests for an SLCH pediatric specialty care team are made at the discretion of the first responders. Designed as a community service, the flight crew transports patients not only to Children’s Hospital but also to other children’s trauma centers and hospitals. Information regarding patients’ care during flights is reported back to fire and ambulance districts partnering with SLCH. St. Louis Children’s Hospital offers the most comprehensive and experienced pediatric and newborn transport service in the Midwest, completing more than 2,500 trips each year.

In each of the 10 specialties surveyed, St. Louis Children’s Hospital is again among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. In June, the publication released its annual “Best Children’s Hospitals” edition, along with the methodology used to prepare the rankings.

Of the 184 pediatric hospitals surveyed nationwide, only 21 ranked in all 10 specialties, including St. Louis Children’s Hospital—and the only hospital in St. Louis to rank in all 10 specialties. The 10 pediatric specialties are cancer, cardiology/heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology. Surveyors measured hospitals in three categories: resources, delivery of healthcare, and clinical outcomes. “At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, we strive to consistently provide the best care for children and adolescents in our region,” says Joan Magruder, hospital president. “These rankings confirm that we are accomplishing

? DID YOU KNOW? Featuring fun facts about our new Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. The eye center features degrees of shadowing in its design to assist patients who have had their eyes dilated.4

“In the nine-year history

of the Best Children’s Hospitals

list, we’re proud that St. Louis

Children’s Hospital has ranked

in every category, every year.”

—Joan Magruder, hospital president

that goal. In the nine-year history of the Best Children’s Hospitals list, we’re proud that St. Louis Children’s Hospital has ranked in every category, every year.”

Volunteer Spotlight

Pedaling for ColinPedal the Cause Ambassador for Team St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Long-time St. Louis Children’s Hospital volunteer, Friends board member and supporter, Stephanie Schmidt knows what it’s like to have a sick child at the hospital. More than 20 years ago, her 3-year-old son Drew was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and 8 months later, passed away. “Even though it was the most difficult experience of our lives, St. Louis Children’s Hospital staff provided us—including my husband, Tom and two boys, Corey and Brad—with the best care,” says Stephanie. “And they made sure that Drew’s last 8 months were the best they could be for us and for him.” In turn, the Schmidt family was grateful and expressed a desire to give back. For Stephanie, that included giving regularly to the hospital and volunteering in various capacities, including becoming one of Children’s Hospital’s first ever ambassadors. This unique volunteer

At age 10, Colin Schlereth knows his way around an ice skating rink. That’s fitting for a hockey kid in a hockey family. That’s also why, in December 2013, when skating suddenly became a struggle, his parents, coaches and teammates noticed. “We were wondering if we were pushing him too hard,” says his mom, Becky, “or that maybe his new skates weren’t working out.” A cross-check from behind during a hockey tournament in March 2014 resulted in a fall and concussion. After 10 days, he was back on the ice but still not skating with his usual confidence and balance. When he started complaining of headaches and dizzy spells, Becky decided enough was enough,

Stephanie Schmidt stands in front of a colorful, hanging petal sculpture she and her family donated in memory of their son and brother, Drew. The sculpture can be seen in the lobby of the St. Louis Children’s Specialty Care Center.

“ Can’t Stop Colin” is the mantra of the Schlereth family.

5Gifts Fall 2015 StLouisChildrens.org/giving 888.559.9699

opportunity has been crucial to establishing the importance of volunteer interaction with patient families, helping improve their experience. As an ambassador, Stephanie visits floors, talks with families, answers questions, and allows families to vent if they are experiencing crises. Once, a nurse told Stephanie, “You don’t want to go to that room—the family is very angry.” And Stephanie replied, “Then that’s where I need to be.” In addition to her ambassador role, which she still fulfills at the hospital once a week, Stephanie spearheaded the volunteer program (and volunteers once or twice a week) at the new St. Louis Children’s Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. “It’s a different type of volunteer experience at this facility. Mostly, we are welcoming people and making sure they feel comfortable with where they are going.” The

goal is to have 4-6 volunteers staffed at the Specialty Care Center every day, as the need for support in outpatient surgery and therapy grows. To potential volunteers, Stephanie says, “If you want to be out in the community, touching the lives of individuals and helping them, this is a great place to do that.”

and since her best friend works at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, that’s where she took Colin to get an MRI. Before she knew it, Becky was talking with the neurosurgeon on call. “After showing me several scans, he stopped on one and, pointing to something at the back of Colin’s head, used the word lesion. At the time, that word didn’t register as cancer. Then he said ‘brain tumor’ and everything just stopped.” The Schlereths’ life of traveling to elite hockey tournaments, soccer matches and golf games became one of scans, needles, questions and fear. Colin’s tumor was removed on June 11, 2014, and he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Medulloblastoma

the next day. Medulloblastomas are fast-growing tumors that develop in a part of the brain that controls movement, balance and posture. After recovering from surgery, Colin had six weeks of proton beam radiation therapy before beginning the first of nine rounds of chemotherapy, with four-week healing breaks in between. It has been a difficult,

sometimes brutal, journey. Somehow the Schlereth family has found a way to get through it all by relying on laughter, smiles and Colin’s zest for life. That zest got the attention of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Pedal the Cause team leader, Whitney Kohlmeyer. And, when she approached Becky and her husband, Rick, about Colin being the hospital’s team ambassador, they were thrilled. With the bold model of using 100% of public donations to fund world-class cancer research in St. Louis, this community-wide cycling event has quickly become an important pediatric cancer research funding source for the Children’s Discovery Institute (CDI). In merely five years, Pedal the Cause has donated $9.36 million to adult and pediatric cancer research projects taking place at Siteman Cancer Center and St. Louis Children’s Hospital through the CDI. “We are so grateful for people who understand the importance of pediatric cancer research and support it with their gifts and efforts,” Becky says. This year’s Pedal the Cause event takes place September 26 and 27. Visit stlouis.pedalthecause.org for more information or to make a donation toward a world without cancer.

It was another successful March to the Arch, sponsored by Mark Harrell Horse Shows. This event, now in its sixth year, includes a horse show, a special dinner and live auction. This year, March to the Arch raised more than $50,000 to support cancer research through the Children’s Discovery Institute. At the main event, former cancer patient Kate (pictured above) wowed the crowd with both her equestrian skills and her heartfelt speech.

Eden’s Army, a foundation created in memory of Eden Elizabeth Neville, marched forward this spring raising more than $50,000 to create an endowment for the Heart Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (pictured below). “We can’t tell you how happy we are to do this for the hospital and staff that did so much for our Edy,” says Adrianne Neville, Eden’s mom. Though she lived just 28 days, little Eden will continue to make a big impact.

Inspired by the World Record Soccer Game, a 2014 event created to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research, Rick Diericx of Dynegy created the Midwest Golf Scramble on June 13. The $12,000 raised will support the work of pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. David Limbrick.

? DID YOU KNOW? Featuring fun facts about our new Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. Because the majority of Pediatric Acute Wound Service (PAWS) patients have wounds that require them to lie on their stomachs during treatment, walls in this area feature images on the lower half.

6

Nearly 3,600 people attended the highly anticipated St. Louis Children’s Hospital Day at Six Flags on Friday, May 29. In its 32nd year, the event helped raise more than $456,000 to support hospital programs and pediatric research through the Children’s Discovery Institute.Pictured here: Robert Trask with his children, Luke and Samantha.

Six Flags Day

Thanks to You!The following is a list of some of the recent fundraisers and gift drives held by various organizations, businesses and individuals to support St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s mission.

Eagle Scout-in-the-making Patrick Hetlage (pictured with Children’s staffer, Kel Ward) went above and beyond the call of duty when he collected hundreds of pairs of socks for our Healthy Kids Express mobile health program. His dedication and hard work will earn him a new ranking in the Eagle Scouts, as well as help kids in underserved areas in St. Louis stay warm this winter. Way to go, Patrick!

Katie Plax, MD, Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of The SPOT (Supporting Positive Outcomes for Teens), has been named the Ferring Family

Chair in Pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The endowed chair was established with a gift from Alison and John Ferring, who have been strong supporters of Children’s Hospital for many years.

Ferring Family Chair Named

(L-R) Alison Ferring, Dr. Katie Plax and John Ferring

7Gifts Fall 2015 StLouisChildrens.org/giving 888.559.9699

Thanks to You!

Giving Back and Giving LocallyOne donor’s secrets to finding meaning in tragedy

Like so many of our remarkably generous donors, Nelda and Conrad Hinckley’s association with St. Louis Children’s Hospital began with great heartbreak. The Hinckleys, from Carbondale, Ill., lost their daughter to leukemia in 1970. Galen was just 5. Nearly half her life was spent battling the disease, from her diagnosis in 1968, to remission, to relapse. Nelda says, through it all, her valiant little girl showed great compassion and sensitivity to the other children she saw fighting their own battles. “I remember one time she wanted me to go down to the gift shop and buy a present for a little boy who also had cancer. That’s just the kind of child she was.” Through the years, even while pursuing their careers in higher education and raising Galen’s two older siblings, Nelda and Conrad have always honored their daughter’s memory through donations to the hospital. Nelda even organized local book fairs with all proceeds donated to Children’s. Recently, the Hinckleys established a charitable gift annuity as just one more way of thanking the hospital for the compassionate care their family received. The knowledge that what doctors understand about childhood leukemia today would quite possibly have saved their daughter’s life fuels Nelda’s passion for directing some of her charitable giving to pediatric research. Just good old-fashioned common sense, she says, drives her to remind others of the importance of giving locally. “I would never take anything away from places like St. Jude’s in Memphis,” she says. “They do wonderful work. But when I hear about people around Carbondale directing memorial gifts down there, I just want to say, ‘Wait a minute. Don’t you want your money to go where your children or grandchild will most likely be treated if they are diagnosed with something serious?’” Nelda goes on to emphasize that no one at Children’s ever asked her or Conrad if they would be able to pay for Galen’s care. “They don’t ask because it doesn’t matter,” Nelda says. “St. Louis Children’s Hospital treats every family who walks through the door, whether or not their child’s treatment needs fits a certain testing protocol.”

Jackie and Randy Baker

Nelda Hinckley

Paying It ForwardTwo Generations of NICU Experience Since the 1970s, major advances in neonatal care have improved survival for all infants. This is primarily the result of research efforts focused on advancing treatment of lung and heart disease. However, comparatively little research has been done to understand brain injury sustained by surviving infants. St. Louis Children’s Hospital (SLCH) and Washington University School of Medicine possess a high-level of neonatal neuroscience expertise. But, the growing need for clinicians to treat this high-risk population has highlighted the lack of training opportunities for physicians who want to establish a career in this vital area of pediatrics. That’s now changing at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, thanks to a $1.2 million gift from Jackie and Randy Baker to establish an endowment to fund a newborn neurology fellowship program.

The origins of this extraordinary gift go back 37 years, when the Bakers’ twin daughters spent their first days of life in the SLCH newborn intensive care unit (NICU). The couple have been involved with the hospital ever since. Jackie was instrumental in the formation of the current-day Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the hospital. Then, when their newborn grand-daughter experienced complications that required a stay in the same NICU, the Bakers decided it was time to redouble their efforts and make a lasting difference. “It is an honor for us to provide this opportunity for doctors at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to receive specialized training in newborn neurology,” Jackie says. “Our family has received excellent care in this area in the past. It is an extraordinary hospital filled with very talented, compassionate doctors, nurses and staff. We view that any gift to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, small or large, helps attract and keep these talented people in our community to provide excellent care for future generations.”

“It is an honor for us to provide this

opportunity for doctors at St. Louis

Children’s Hospital to receive specialized

training in newborn neurology.”

—Jackie Baker

that she had adrenal insufficiency, which didn’t allow her body to fight off infections. “Basically, my pituitary gland was pooped,” she says. “I’m so lucky to have had such a great team on my side. I know I could not have gotten through the last four years without them.” Now for some good news, and there is plenty of that. In spite of missing so much school, Willow graduated, even earning an A in advanced placement biology. This fall she’ll be attending Greenville College to pursue a double major in biology and chemistry, a big step in her quest to become a surgeon. Meanwhile, to pay all that “good fortune” forward, Willow joined the hospital’s Teen Life Council. She played a key role in making the second annual Teen Prom a success and is very interested in plans for improvements to the 8th floor Teen Lounge, underway with funding from St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Employee Giving Initiative. “It’s vital that teens at the hospital are given some space,” Willow says. “And what’s great is that the hospital values our opinions and includes us in discussions of what that space looks like.” Even one more reason to love this crazy amazing place.

Follow Us!We’re on Twitter, Facebook and many more! Share your love and enthusiasm for St. Louis Children’s Hospital by joining us on our official social networking and media sites. Become our friend, hang out with other supporters, get health tips, news, videos and updates from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Just visit StLouisChildrens.org for links and stay connected!

Go Green With Us!

gifts St. Louis Children’s Hospital FoundationOne Children’s PlaceSt. Louis, MO 63110

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSt. Louis, MO

Permit No. 858

? DID YOU KNOW? Featuring fun facts about our new Specialty Care Center at Highway 40 and Mason Road. Each department has its own theme, with accompanying “factoids” in patient rooms. We hope you get to know our Specialty Care Center! Visit StLouisChildrens.org/SpecialtyCare for more information.8

Because the price of printed materials can be costly and because we want to stay in touch with you regularly, we encourage you to sign up for e-gifts, our monthly e-mail newsletter as a fun, easy way to stay connected! Each month, you’ll meet a patient who has been helped because of your support. You’ll learn the latest on recent events and we’ll offer you fun opportunities to support the hospital. To receive the e-gifts newsletter, simply send your name and e-mail address to Stephanie Perry at sperry@bjc.org. And, if you would rather receive this Gifts magazine via e-mail rather than in your mailbox, we can update our records once you let us know. Thank you!

Meet Willowcontinued from front

Fall 2015