Children's National Launches Holiday Giving Campaign

From Children's National: This holiday season, Children’s National, one of the nation’s top five children’s hospitals and the premier provider of pediatric services in Washington, D.C., is launching an interactive fundraising campaign with an immediate glimpse of impact for both donors and patients.

“Light Up Dr. Bear” features 316 bears placed around the D.C. metro area and at Children’s National, its community clinics and outpatient centers. With each donation, all 316 bears light up simultaneously; brightening patients’ days, assuring families of community support and reminding donors that their gift makes a difference. Modeled after Children’s National’s iconic mascot, Dr. Bear, the bears represent the 316 patient beds at Children’s National.

The campaign, running from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, supports Children’s National in its efforts to find cures, fuel innovation, and provide world-class care to every child, regardless of illness, injury, or ability to pay.

“Through the ‘Light Up Dr. Bear’ campaign, we are pleased to encourage the community to show their support for children and their families in a truly meaningful and impactful way,” said DeAnn Marshall, MHA, president of Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This year, approximately 300 children and their families will be spending the holiday season in the hospital. Each donation makes an immediate impact on the families in our care, brightening their day and bringing a smile to their face.”

As a nonprofit hospital, Children’s National and its patients depend on generous support from the community. Children’s National cares for more than 230,000 kids annually and donations help ensure every child, from every background and walk of life, receives exceptional care, regardless of illness, injury or ability to pay. Last year alone, Children’s National provided more than $66 million in uncompensated care and more than $100 million in community benefit. Philanthropic support from “Light Up Dr. Bear” will go towards helping children like Priest, a patient featured in the campaign.

Born extremely premature and weighing just ounces, Priest was transferred to the Children’s National neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) shortly after birth and has spent the first 16 months of his life there.

“It’s a really amazing thing for families like ours who spend so much time here to see the bears light up and know people are out there caring and supporting us,” said mom Tierra. “All I can say is thank you. I’ve been here a long, long, long time, so I know the needs of the parents and the children here, and it’s a great cause, so please continue to donate.”
As Washington, D.C.’s only hospital specializing in kids, Children’s National treats the whole child and the whole family with a child-centered focus. This approach includes medical equipment and facilities that are specifically designed for kids, care teams with specialized training for kids’ healthcare and emotional needs, and unique programs for play, including art and music therapy, a library and reading room, Seacrest Studios and the Healing Garden.

To make a donation or find a bear near you, visit ChildrensNational.org/Light or text Light10 to 50555 to send a gift (Message and data rates may apply. Terms at mGive.org/T). Consumers are also invited to share photos and videos on social media, encouraging donations and spread awareness using #LightUpDrBear.

Image via Shuttershock