A PublicAtion For the Donors oF chilDren’s heAlthcAre oF AtlAntA

smallwonders®

holiday 2011

2Meet ritesh Vunnam, who is fighting for his life

6learn how emerging leaders are changing lives

12Give from your heart to heal a child’s heart

hElP US CUT CoSTS iN 2012

details on Page 1

Pictured: Emery King, age 2

This issue of Small Wonders is all about leadership.

Our feature story about 3-year-old Ritesh Vunnam captures his experience with the newly launched Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Because this progressive and life-threatening disease affects many different body systems in most patients, Children’s took the lead in establishing a multidisciplinary team to provide highly coordinated care to children like Ritesh.

Next, the donor spotlight celebrates the success of Emerging Leaders for Children’s or ELC. This new group engages up-and-comers in the mission and vision of our not-for-profit organization, with a goal of developing future volunteer leaders. I congratulate these leaders for the instrumental role they played in the rollout of the Children’s Strong4Life health and wellness movement in metro Atlanta schools.

Finally, our Q & A article introduces you to a top clinical leader at Children’s, Robert Campbell, M.D., Chief of Cardiac Services for Sibley Heart Center. In addition to his day job—overseeing a group of 41 pediatric cardiologists—Robert has volunteered his time for more than five years as a Trustee of the Children’s Foundation Board, providing a critical physician’s perspective on our fundraising and community advocacy efforts.

As we move into the holidays, I hope that you, our donors, will continue to be leaders for Children’s by including our organization in your year-end giving plans. Beyond supporting the immediate, lifesaving work happening each day, philanthropy enables Children’s to look to the next horizon—pushing medical boundaries, growing a world-class research program, recruiting and training the next generation of pediatric specialists and leading statewide efforts to tackle childhood obesity.

Thank you for stepping up for Georgia’s sick and injured kids throughout the year and especially during this time of giving thanks. Best wishes to you and yours!

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Holder Chairman, Board of Trustees Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation

Leading by example

G.F. Agerton III

Claire L. Arnold

Kathy T. Betty

Robert W. Bruce Jr., M.D.

Robert M. Campbell, M.D.

James A. Carlos

Allen M. Chan

Dean H. Eisner

Rev. Dr. Darrell D. Elligan

Molly Fletcher

R. Brad Foster

Tom Giddens

Jonathan D. Goldman

Donna W. Hyland

Mary Ellen Imlay

Mark Kauffman

Mary Jo Kirchner

Scott MacLellan

Richard J. McKay

William C. Pate

Beatriz Perez

Margaret Conant Reiser

Christy Roberts

Michael B. Russell

John L. Simms II

Scott Slade

Terri Theisen

Thomas M. holder, Chairman

douglas K. Garges, Vice Chairman

Charles h. ogburn, Vice Chairman

Eugene a. hayes iii, President

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Foundation Board of Trustees

Contents

2

6

12

When every moment mattersSince 3-year-old Ritesh Vunnam was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart and lung disease, every second spent with him is precious.

Questions & answers Robert Campbell, M.D., Chief of Cardiac Services and longtime Children’s Foundation Trustee, talks about new research plans and fundraising efforts for the Children’s Sibley Heart Center.

Emerging leaders set the pace for a dynamic future for Children’sA new group engages up-and-comers at a leadership level for Children’s.

As a not-for-profit organization, children’s healthcare of Atlanta pledges to direct the greatest portion of community gifts to serving patients 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 encourage you to recycle this magazine or pass it along to friends so they can learn about children’s.

Connect with us

www.choa.org/give

8 highlights & happenings14 among friends17 mark your calendar

Holiday 2011 | 1

Visit www.choa.org/smallwonders for:

– Exclusive content featuring our Pediatric Pulmonary

Hypertension Program

– More information about Emerging Leaders for Children’s,

including photo galleries of recent events

– An in-depth look at cardiac care at Children’s

If you would like to receive Small Wonders electronically and save us related printing and postage costs, visit www.choa.org/smallwonders.

As a recipient of Small Wonders, you can also receive our quarterly e-newsletter. Visit www.giving.choa.org to sign up.

hElP SaVE US MoNEy

2 | smallwonders

When every moment matters

But for Sandhya and Srinivasa Vunnam, time spent with their son

Ritesh is even more precious. Every second, every word, every hug

and every laugh are cherished because the 3-year-old is living with

a rare, life-threatening disease that affects his heart and lungs.

Facing their fears with hope, the Vunnams put their faith in the

doctors at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center

and strive to make every moment matter.

They cheer at a first step. They delight in a first word. They cry on the first day of school. Every milestone makes a memory, and time seems to go too fast as parents watch their children grow.

Holiday 2011 | 3

4 | smallwonders

RiTESh’S illNESS STaRTEd more than 8,000 miles away from the Vunnams’ home in Atlanta. While visiting family in India in November 2010, Ritesh developed a high fever and was unable to keep food down. Thinking it was a stomach bug because their son was getting used to India’s culture and food, Sandhya took the young boy to a doctor, who prescribed antibiotics. Soon after, the Vunnams traveled back to the U.S., where their lives would change forever.

Upon their return to Atlanta, Ritesh’s symptoms worsened. He was still vomiting at least once a day. He was lethargic, and his breathing was labored.

“He was really breathing heavily through his mouth. I thought at first he might just be congested, but he seemed so tired. He usually likes to play, and he wasn’t playing at all,” Sandhya said.

Ritesh’s pediatrician ordered a chest X-ray, which showed an enlarged heart. The pediatrician then referred Ritesh to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Sandhya is soft-spoken. But even within her quiet voice, the strength

of a fiercely protective mother is evident—and when she speaks of her only child’s struggles—so is her pain. “It was terrifying. He was just 3 years old. We were hoping it was nothing,” she said.

ThaT iNiTial ViSiT To ChildREN’S turned into a six-week inpatient stay. Doctors at the Children’s Sibley Heart Center told the Vunnams that Ritesh had pulmonary hypertension. The condition causes abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and forces the right side of the heart to work harder than normal.

Ritesh’s little heart was failing, and his parents were devastated. He spent 10 days in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) where doctors began treating the pulmonary hypertension by placing a central line tube in his chest. Though he initially showed improvement, he later took a turn for the worse.

After more tests, doctors determined Ritesh had pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, an extremely rare form of high blood pressure in the lung area that caused his pulmonary hypertension. Sandhya and Srinivasa had done their research, and they knew the severity of their son’s diagnosis.

“All the things that once seemed so important are not. The only thing that

matters is being with your child.”

Pediatric Pulmonary hypertension Program– The program offers a range of services from imaging to long-

term treatment and follow-up care for children or young adults who have—or are at risk for—pulmonary hypertension.

– It is part of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center.

– Usama Kanaan, M.D., leads the program, which includes four cardiologists, one pulmonologist and a dedicated nurse practitioner.

– The nurse practitioner’s role is especially critical in helping families overcome obstacles, including dealing with insurance companies and scheduling appointments around parents’ schedules.

Visit www.choa.org/ph for more information.

Visit www.choa.org/smallwonders for exclusive online content, including:

– A behind-the-scenes video about the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program

– More information about pulmonary veno-occlusive disease

“At the very moment they started talking about Ritesh’s condition, I started crying. I knew that it was much worse than pulmonary hypertension,” Sandhya said. “But I realized crying was not really helping, so I went back and started searching for more information.”

ThERE iS No CURE for Ritesh’s disease, and the prognosis is generally poor. But the Vunnams are ensuring Ritesh gets the care he needs through the Sibley Heart Center Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Program, led by Usama Kanaan, M.D. Because pulmonary hypertension can affect so many different systems in the body, Ritesh’s team includes other specialists throughout Children’s to make things as convenient as possible for his family.

“The doctors are just incredible. They have done everything to keep Ritesh safe. They are always available to us,” Sandhya said. “Dr. Kanaan even gave us his personal cell number. He’s always there when we have questions.”

Ritesh currently takes eight medications a day, and he has shown an unusually positive response to steroid treatment.

Ritesh’s disease is under control—for now. He visits the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic monthly for treatment and checkups. Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease is serious and progressive, but Dr. Kanaan believes that current research could lead to new hope for Ritesh. He also credits the Vunnams for their positive attitudes.

“Ritesh and his family have been remarkable throughout this entire process. They are truly partners in his care,” he said. “Ritesh is almost always smiling and upbeat despite his medical challenges. We are optimistic that we will be able to continue to help him beat the odds of this progressive disease.”

QUaliTy FaMily TiME is imperative for Sandhya and Srinivasa, who both try to spend as much time as possible with their son. Both parents work full-time, trading off so one can work from home and take care of Ritesh while the other commutes to work. For Sandhya, splitting her time between her son and her job is especially challenging.

“I would like to stop everything else in my life and just be with him. The hard part is that I can’t be with him every second. But I have to support him and make sure we can care for him, and that means I have to work,” she said.

Once again, the mother’s strength is betrayed by the sadness in her voice.

“I would tell parents they should spend as much time as possible with their children, because you never know how much time you will have with them. All the things that once seemed so important are not. The only thing that matters is being with your child.”

Holiday 2011 | 5

Earlier this year, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta launched an exciting new endeavor to engage up-and-coming professionals and community volunteers at a leadership level. Known as Emerging Leaders for Children’s (ELC), this group made up of 30- to 40-year- olds was born out of the Children’s Trustees’ desire to identify, involve and develop potential future volunteer leaders for our not-for-profit organization.

Trustees and executives nominated an impressive list of qualified individuals, from which 23 inaugural members were selected (see roster on Page 7). Stephanie Blank, longtime Children’s Trustee and well-known philanthropist, serves as mentor to the group.

“ELC is a dynamic mix of the next generation of longtime Children’s families and new, rising corporate and civic leaders. Each member was handpicked based on his or her passion for helping kids, willingness to serve and commitment to Children’s,” said Gene Hayes, President of the Children’s Foundation, which oversees ELC.

Members gain unique access to key Children’s leaders and physicians and, through two years of service, will have the opportunity to enhance skills in fundraising, program development and relationship building.

Core to the ELC experience is a group project focused on bringing the Children’s Strong4Life program to three downtown Atlanta elementary schools. Strong4Life is a significant part of the Children’s comprehensive statewide plan to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in Georgia. Strong4Life brings together the four essential building blocks every child needs to be healthy—nutrition, activity, support and fun—and empowers kids and families to develop lifelong healthy habits.

“Children’s strives to be the leading voice for the health of Georgia’s children. And, we must be the voice of child wellness, no matter how big the task. As we roll out our childhood obesity campaign in metro Atlanta, ELC members’ vision and energy have been critical success factors,” said Hayes.

Every day, our donors make a

difference in the life of a child.

Visit www.choa.org/give

for more information about

the individuals, corporations

and organizations that

support Children’s.

“Many of our ELC members are raising young families and benefiting from the amazing care at Children’s for everything from broken bones to cardiac care, so they have a very powerful connection with the heart of our mission,” said Stephanie Blank, Children’s Trustee and ELC mentor.

6 | smallwonders

Emerging leaders set the pace for a

This fall, ELC members kicked off Strong4Life at each school with a Challenge Week that included a pep rally and fun run for students. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (pictured above) stopped by to show his support at one of the events. To maintain momentum throughout the school year, ELC members have been charged with developing four Strong4Life follow-up activities. Importantly, members are also working closely with the schools to conduct pre- and post-Strong4Life behavioral and fitness assessments, to help determine the impact of the program on the children’s overall health and wellness. The ultimate goal is to use best practices from the group project to establish an effective and efficient model replicable in schools throughout Georgia.

In addition to their generous gifts of time and talent to Children’s, ELC members are also donors, collectively giving more than $60,000 this year alone.

Visit www.choa.org/elc for more information about Emerging Leaders for Children’s, including photos from the Strong4Life Challenge Weeks.

Meet the Emerging leaders for Children’s

Holiday 2011 | 7

dynamic future for Children’s

David W. Adams Baker Donelson

Amy Hertz Agami Community volunteer

David M. Amar JPMorgan Private Bank

Matthew H. Brill Foundation Source

John “Jack” E. Cay IV Palmer & Cay LLC

Farah F. Cook Cook Law Group LLC

Richard W. Courts IV Carter

Richard W. Deriso BB&T

Barbarella Diaz Diaz Foods

Kimberly J. Englehardt Primrose Schools

Michelle Falconer Real Estate Investments

Kristine N. Faulkner Cox Communications

Nicholas D. Fletcher, M.D. Emory Orthopaedics

C. Elijah “Lige” Gillis Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Daniel L. Gordon Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers

Dexter A. Harris Aflac Inc.

Nicole G. Iannarone Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore LLP

Joshua Pechter Cacti Asset Management

A. Rian Perry Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

Louis “Tripp” M. Rawls III Merrill Lynch

John W. Rooker III Rooker Properties

C. Austin Stephens Merrill Lynch

Marti M. Walsh The Coca-Cola Company

la Raza Radiothon benefits Children’s

Thanks to the generosity of our community, the 2011 La Raza 102.3/100.1 FM and La Mega 96.5 FM Por Los Niños Radiothon raised more than $208,000 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The October event, which was broadcast live from Children’s at Scottish Rite, featured inspiring stories from the families of some of our Spanish-speaking patients.

Big Show for little Voices makes impressive debut

The dave-fm Big Show for Little Voices Radiothon raised $417,953 for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Throughout the three-day broadcast at THE VOICE at Children’s at Egleston, dave-fm radio personalities shared stories of hope and healing from patients and families and illustrated the vital role Children’s plays in the community.

highlights&happenings

8 | smallwonders

CRASH CLARK

JIMMY

YVONNE

MARGOT

RENEE

MARA

SULLY

10 years of leading by example

Founded in 2001, the 1998 Society is a philanthropic group for physicians named in honor of the year in which Egleston Children’s Health Care System and Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center merged to form Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Celebrating its 10th year, the 1998 Society boasts nearly 200 members who since its inception have contributed a total of more than $4.2 million to Children’s.

This year, led by Chairs Judy C. Mills, M.D., Robert Pettignano, M.D., and Kevin O. Maher, M.D., the 1998 Society Board has set a fundraising goal of $650,000, a portion of which will support three key areas at Children’s:

■■ Diabetes—Funds will support an educational program that addresses the growing epidemic of diabetes. Each year, Children’s treats about 400 newly diagnosed patients with Type 1 diabetes and provides ongoing care to more than 4,000 children with the disease. Type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate, likely correlating with Georgia’s ranking as the second highest state for childhood obesity.

■■ Palliative care—Support will help fund a comprehensive palliative care program that is being developed by nationally recognized specialist Jeffrey Klick, M.D. This type of care focuses on comfort and pain relief for children living with life-threatening conditions.

■■ Research— Fundraising efforts will help fund an advanced pediatric research center, in conjunction with Emory University School of Medicine, that focuses on childhood cancer, immunology, cystic fibrosis and clinical outcomes.

Visit www.choa.org/1998society for more information.

Holiday 2011 | 9

ThE VoiCE hits a high note for patients

Since opening in late 2010, THE VOICE, a broadcast media center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston established by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, has brought joy to the lives of many patients. An impressive roster of celebrities has generously stopped by during this inaugural year to visit with patients, including: the 2011 American Idol finalists, Backstreet Boys, Selena Gomez, New Kids on the Block, Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks, Joe Jonas and, of course, Atlanta’s own Ryan Seacrest.

Located in the lobby of Children’s at Egleston, the studio gives patients a much-needed escape from their hospital experience. They can learn about radio, introduce songs on-air, record greetings or play games. Broadcasts are repeated at all three of the Children’s hospitals through closed-circuit TV for patients who cannot leave their rooms.

Visit www.choa.org/thevoice to learn more and see photos of recent celebrity visits.

Emily Samai, Cyrus Samai, M.D., Shelly Kim, M.D., and Sujata Chanani

Selena Gomez with patients

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is now home to the first Level 1 pediatric trauma center in Georgia. This is the highest ranking of its kind that a hospital can attain. Children’s at Egleston achieved the designation.

Children’s at Scottish Rite remains the state’s only Level 2 pediatric trauma center. With the only two pediatric trauma centers in Georgia, Children’s treats two‐thirds of the pediatric trauma patients.

The two centers house advanced technology and employ multidisciplinary teams with extensive training in pediatric

trauma services. Both Children’s at Egleston and Children’s at Scottish Rite offer access to pediatric specialty coverage including general pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, hand surgery, maxillofacial surgery and rehabilitative services. As a Level 1 center, Children’s at Egleston also provides cardiothoracic surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass capabilities and conducts academic research for trauma care.

Visit www.choa.org/trauma to learn more.

10 | smallwonders

highlights&happenings

New leaders for neurosciences and gastroenterology

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine recently appointed two new medical leaders.

– Ton J. de Grauw, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally known neurologist and researcher, was named Chief of the Children’s Neurosciences Program and Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurology in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Prior to joining Children’s, Dr. de Grauw was Director of Neurology and Clinical and Training Programs in Child Neurology for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

– Saul Karpen, M.D., Ph.D., was appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Emory-Children’s Center and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Karpen comes to Children’s from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital where he served as a professor of pediatrics and Director of the Texas Children’s Liver Center of the Texas Children’s Hospital.

only level 1 and 2 pediatric trauma centers in Georgia

Holiday 2011 | 11

Ninth annual black-tie gala to honor Fran and Joe Rogers Jr.

Ladies will don their best evening wear and gentlemen their finest tuxedos to celebrate Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the ninth annual Hope and Will Ball, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at the St. Regis Atlanta. The gala begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, a special guest speaker, live auction and dancing. This year’s honorees are Fran and Joe Rogers Jr., a longtime Trustee and former Chairman of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Board of Trustees, respectively. Patient family Brittany and Steve Karasick and their son, Brent, also will be honored.

Proceeds from the black-tie event will help fund vital medical equipment for the Children’s Emergency Departments, as well as transport vehicles to treat critically ill and injured children.

Join us at www.choa.org/hopeandwillball for more information or to secure your reservation while seats are available.

Share your message of hope

We want to share a video of a typical day for our brave patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In return, you can share a message of hope with them. Our goal is to reach 1,280 messages—one for each patient—by Dec. 15. We’ll share your message through the TVs in the hospitals—just in time to brighten a child’s holiday.

2012 Committee Chairs, led by Tara Widener, gather at the St. Regis to plan this signature event for Children’s.

Go to ShareWithChildrens.org.

scan to send your message.

&Questions

AnswersAffecting one out of every 100 newborns in the U.S., congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects. As Chief of Cardiac Services and longtime Children’s Foundation Trustee, Robert Campbell, M.d., is committed to helping these children—and the thousands of others who develop heart conditions—live the fullest lives possible. Thanks to a new collaboration, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center is now performing groundbreaking research that can make a life-changing impact for children around the world.

What would you say makes the Sibley heart Center unique?

I think our approach to care makes us unique. We offer comprehensive care for patients from before birth to age 21, and we involve families in the process. Our high volumes and great outcomes, which are much higher than the national average, also set us apart. And our crown jewel is our new designation as a Pediatric Heart Network (PHN) core site for clinical research.

Why is the PhN designation so important?

It is an external validation of who we are and what we do. It is a huge deal for us. The PHN is created and funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is a cooperative network of pediatric cardiovascular clinical research centers that conducts studies in children with congenital or acquired heart disease. The PHN carries out the highest quality clinical research in our

12 | smallwonders

Holiday 2011 | 13

field. The Emory-Children’s Pediatric Research Center, which is a collaboration between Children’s and Emory University, is now one of only nine core sites across the U.S. and Canada that are co-recipients of the $19.6 million funding.

As part of the multicenter PHN, we will contribute to new knowledge. Our findings will change the lives of not only our patients, but other children with congenital and acquired heart defects around the world.

What else defines your comprehensive program?

With the community’s help, we are not only committed to clinical care and research, but also teaching and wellness. Fellowship training beyond traditional internship and residency education develops the next generation of specialists. Our fellows are selected from the best and brightest of candidates throughout the U.S. Training this new generation is our opportunity and will become part of our legacy.

In addition, we are not just caring for children with heart disease. Through Project S.A.V.E. (Sudden Cardiac Death: Awareness, Vision for Prevention and Education), we work with healthcare providers, schools and families to prevent pediatric sudden cardiac arrest. Early recognition of warning signs, effective bystander CPR and the appropriate use of automated external defibrillators have saved 30 lives in Georgia schools since 2007.

how does donor support make an impact?

There is no way clinical dollars alone could cover everything. We are critically dependent on donors to help us stay at the forefront of cardiac care and invest in advanced technology and treatments. We cannot help the families who need us without donor support.

about the Sibley heart Center

– Each year, the center provides comprehensive care to more than 35,000 children who have congenital and acquired heart defects.

– The center is part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and is a national leader in both volumes and outcomes.

– Fellows receive training in pediatric cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and anesthesia.

– The center performs clinical, translational and basic research to

define new and best therapies for children.

Visit www.choa.org/heart to learn how you can support the Sibley Heart Center.

Robert Campbell, M.D., has volunteered for more than five years as a Trustee of the Children’s Foundation Board, providing a critical physician’s perspective on fundraising and community advocacy efforts.

This is a model of a heart used to explain cardiac procedures to patients and their families.

14 | smallwonders

among friendsCelebrate the holidays with Children’s

It would not be the holiday season in Atlanta without the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade, which celebrates 31 years Saturday, Dec. 3. For 20 years, spectators have enjoyed the silliness of the beloved Distinguished Clowns, one of the fan favorites in the parade. But these are no ordinary clowns—they are CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and leaders in some of Atlanta’s top companies. For one morning a year, they don clown faces and costumes to first delight patients in the hospital and later the crowd gathered for the parade. Last year the Distinguished Clowns raised more than $57,000 to support Children’s.

No tickets are required, but bleacher seats are available for $12 each. Visit www.choa.org/parade to learn more.

Experience the Pink Pig tradition

Bring your family to take a holiday ride on Priscilla the Pink Pig at Macy’s Lenox Square, Saturday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. From its 1953 debut as a children’s ride at the downtown Rich’s store, to its brief stint at the Egleston Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees, five generations of Atlantans have ridden the Pink Pig into the holiday season. Making her way on a track beneath a 170-foot, 1950s-themed Pink Pig Tent at Lenox Square’s upper-level parking deck near Macy’s, Priscilla delights visitors with her travels through a life-size storybook of holiday magic. Each ride costs $3 and repeat rides have a special discounted price. Proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and to date, Macy’s has donated more than $400,000.

Visit www.choa.org/pinkpig for further details.

Friends begins new fundraising year

In August, leaders from more than 35 Friends groups gathered at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to kick off the 2011-2012 fundraising year, which will raise funds for the Children’s Emergency Departments and transport vehicles. Donations will support the specialized equipment and services needed to help the critically sick and injured children of the community.

Guest speaker for the event was James Broselow, M.D., the inventor of Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape. This special equipment, which is among the Friends Funding Goals, gives

staff lifesaving information about proper medication dosages and equipment sizes right at their fingertips.

Attendees also learned about fundraising and in-service opportunities available to their groups. This year, because of the opening of Children’s Healthcare of Forsyth, Friends is looking to grow in the North Fulton and Forsyth areas.

Contact Ashley Dollar at ashley.dollar@choa.org for more information.

Holiday 2011 | 15

Santa’s workshop delights visitors, benefits Children’s

In November, guests and patients joined jolly old St. Nick, the elves of the North Pole and the creators of the best-selling Christmas book, The Elf on the Shelf, for the world premiere of a 2011 animated Christmas spectacular, An Elf ’s Story. Guests felt like they were at a Hollywood premiere when they walked down the candy cane-colored carpet and into the historic Fox Theatre, which was transformed into Santa’s North Pole workshop. Children got the chance to play in Santa’s workshop, indulge at the hot cocoa station, decorate delicious Christmas cookies, design their own keepsake ornaments and take pictures with the mascot elves. Proceeds from this event benefited Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

an evening of sights and sounds

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then the inspirational artwork created by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta patients and 15 local artists speaks volumes. These works were the centerpiece of the first Jazz and Art from the Heart, sponsored by TRC Staffing Services Inc., and hosted by Dunwoody Friends Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Bill Lowe Gallery. Stunning works of art and other prizes, such as trips to Antigua and Italy and a diamond necklace courtesy of Jewelry Artisans, raised more than $25,000 for Children’s during the live and silent auctions.

Guests enjoyed hors d’ouevres, special heartini cocktails, live jazz music performed by the Jason Salzman Band and U.K. singer-songwriter, Callaghan, and of course, the art auctions. Proceeds from the event benefited the 2011-2012 Friends Funding Goals.

Jill Wirka, Dunwoody Friends chair, John Lowe of the Bill Lowe Art Gallery, musical guest Callaghan, Shannon Wickley, event chair, and Stacey Elgin, event emcee, enjoyed a jazzy evening to benefit Children’s.

Generous Generation

Players from Tophat Soccer League collected coins in October for their first ever Change for Children’s coin drive, raising more than $3,000 for the 2011–2012 Friends Funding Goals. Change for Children’s is part of the Generous Generation program, which engages children and teens in community service and encourages lifelong volunteerism and philanthropy. Visit www.choa.org/generousgeneration for more information.

Visit www.facebook.com/childrensvolunteers to view more photos from Tophat’s Change for Children’s event.

Encore for a Cure

From the yellow brick road in Wicked to the sugar plum fairies in the Nutcracker, winners from Encore for a Cure’s ultimate dinner and show package, sponsored by the Melting Pot, enjoyed a delicious fondue meal at the Melting Pot and a Broadway play at the Fox Theatre. This fundraiser raised $20,000 for Children’s.

FJC Party atlanta

Guests at Party Atlanta joined forces for one fun night for Children’s. More than 400 young professionals enjoyed mixing and mingling at three of midtown Atlanta’s favorite hot spots.

Taste of Peachtree

Children’s and La Amistad Outreach Program hosted the first Taste of Peachtree event Sunday, Oct. 9, at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. The event was a hit with more than 400 guests who enjoyed tastings from more than 10 Buckhead-area restaurants.

Teddy Bear Crusade

During the past six years, the Teddy Bear Crusade has raised more than $90,000 and approximately 3,500 new stuffed teddy bears for patients at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The seventh annual Teddy Bear Crusade will be Friday, Dec. 2, at Tantra Restaurant and Lounge. Visit www.teddybearcrusadeatlanta.org to purchase your ticket to this year’s event.

Be sure to “like” Children’s

Help us reach our year-end goal of 500 Friends by visiting the Children’s volunteer Facebook page and clicking the “like” link. Visit www.facebook.com/childrensvolunteers to get connected.

Shop, save and support

Simplify your online bargain hunting while supporting a good cause with My Shopping Genie. The safe, free online application helps you find the lowest prices on millions of products, and you can donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta by simply clicking through products the Genie suggests. No purchase is necessary. Visit www.choa.org/myshoppinggenie for more information.

BaPS Walk

Hundreds of supporters joined the fourth annual BAPS walkathon to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Thursday, Sept. 18. BAPS has raised more than $40,000 for the patients at Children’s.

16 | smallwonders

friends around town

holiday Card Sales Through Decemberwww.choa.org/cards and www.choa.org/tinyprints

Macy’s Pink PigThrough Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 www.choa.org/pinkpig

Christmas on Peachtree Friday, Nov. 25, to Saturday, Dec. 31 www.200peachtree.com

Teddy Bear CrusadeFriday, Dec. 2 www.teddybearcrusadeatlanta.org

Children’s Christmas ParadeSaturday, Dec. 3 www.choa.org/parade

Taste of dunwoodyFriday, Feb. 3, 2012 www.choa.org/tod

hope and Will BallSaturday, Feb. 11, 2012 www.choa.org/hopeandwillball

Fin FestSunday, Feb. 26, 2012 www.choa.org/finfest

Tim hudson–Chipper Jones Birdies and BaseballSunday, Feb. 26, to Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 www.choa.org/birdies

Celebrate Christmas in Atlanta and benefit Children’s

with a ride on Priscilla the Pink Pig at Macy’s Lenox Square,

now through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. A new holiday tradition,

Christmas on Peachtree, will be Friday, Nov. 25, through

Saturday, Dec. 31, at 200 Peachtree, the former Macy’s

building in downtown Atlanta, and the 31st annual Children’s

Christmas Parade will make its way through the streets of

downtown Atlanta at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.

mark your calendar

Holiday 2011 | 17

Remember:Saturday, Dec. 31, is the last day to contribute to the Children’s 2011 fiscal year.

Visit www.choa.org/events for information about these and all events supporting Children’s.

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Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

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Buy holiday cards to support Children’s

Whether you plan to send traditional or custom photo greeting cards this holiday season, you can support Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s Holiday Card Program features artwork from nine patients. The sales of each of the cards will go toward the unit of the hospital where the patient was treated, including Marcus Autism Center, the Children’s Emergency Department, the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service and the Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Go to www.choa.org/cards to place your order today. You can also visit www.choa.org/tinyprints to order holiday photo cards to support Children’s. Tiny Prints also has announcements, invitations, labels and e-cards available year-round.

Use promotion code CHOA12 to receive a 10 percent discount on orders of $49 or more on Tiny Prints.

Share the_______.hopeyour words mean the world to a young patient at Children’s

Go to ShareWithChildrens.org.scan to send

your message.