Dell Children's Hospital Named Sole Beneficiary for Capitol 10,000

CowParade Austin Auction Raises nearly $1.5 Million for
Superhero Kids at Dell Children’s

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/morning_call/2011/11/austin-cowparade-rounds-up-15m.html

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/cow-parade-art-auction-raises-$1.5m

Mooove Over, Jay Leno — $1.5 Million Just for Kids.

More than 1,200 attendees witnessed a public art auction unlike anything seen in Austin before.

40 artistic cows of Austin’s Cow Parade, found new homes, raising $1.49 million for The Superhero Kids Endowment at the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

The cow auction, emceed by the Tonight Show’s Jay Leno, also broke records with two $150,000 cow bids. The previous record was $146,000 at CowParade Dublin in 2003.

The famous cow art — fiberglass cow sculptures that were transformed by local artists and displayed on the streets of Austin for the past three months — were sold to the highest bidders. Final bids ranged from $10,000 to a world-record-breaking $150,000.

One of the $150,000 cows included the Vince Young Championship Longhorn created by Scott Tao LaBossiere, a steer covered in more than 8,000 copper pennies. The cow was purchased by CowParade Austin Honorary Chair, Luci Baines Johnson.

Superhero Kids founders Samia Joseph and her husband John Joseph created organization to support children and their families confronted by cancer and blood disorders said, “We can’t thank this community enough for their keen eye for creative art and for their unbelievably generous spirit.”

A special thank you to Milton Verret and U.S. Money Reserve as well as the CowParade Austin Sponsors and Artists. This event would not have been possible without you!

About Superhero Kids

Superhero Kids, founded in December 2009 by Samia and John Joseph, specifically addresses quality of life issues for children and their families battling cancer and blood disorders at the Children's Blood and Cancer at Dell Children’s.

The Endowment provides financial assistance to patients and families for non-medical expenses incurred and those that are not reimbursed by insurance.

These include transportation, basic living expenses, and special educational needs for families who are unable to address these extraordinary and often unanticipated additional costs of battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders.

Recently CowParade Austin announced Jay Leno to be the VIP host of the CowParade Auction, held on November 10th at the ACL Moody Theatre.

Check out the recent exciting CowParade Austin news coverage:

Austin CultureMap Jay Leno Corrals CowParade

http://www.kvue.com/news/CowParade-reveals-auction-date-celebrity-guest-132061393.html

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/jay-leno-to-emcee-cowparade-auction

For more information about this exciting event visit www.cowparadeaustin.org

RE/MAX Rocks For Kids!

RE/MAX presents A Concert to Benefit Dell's Children's Medical Center of Central Texas

A Children’s Miracle Network Hospital

Sunday, October 23rd

Concert is from 12 Noon to 9:45 PM at the Nutty Brown Café

Featuring Marcia Ball, Dale Watson, Leeann Atherton, Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88s, Miss Lavelle White, The Governors, and more!

Bob Cole will emcee this event

Tickets online are $35

Children under 14 are free when accompanied by an adult

Corporate Sponsors levels:

Diamond:  $5,000  gets 10 tables – Admission and premium seating. A company banner next to RE/MAX on the Center of the Stage.

Platinum:    $4,000  gets 8 tables – Admission and prominent seating. A company banner next to RE/MAX on the Center of the Stage.

Gold:  $3,000  gets 6 tables – Admission and prominent seating.  A company banner, side stage.

Silver:  $2,000  gets 4 tables – Admission and good seating. A company banner, side stage.

Bronze:  $1,000  gets 1 table– Admission and good seating.

For more infromation about this event contact Lynn Taylor at 512-923-1146
Proceeds from this event will benefit the greatest needs at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.

Dell Children's Medical Center was awarded a $100,000 Hope Grant from Hyundai
Hope on Wheels.

The organization arrived in a fuel cell electric car to officially present the $100,000 Hope Grant during a ceremony at Dell Children's. At the event, patients had the opportunity to place their handprints in colorful paint on Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle.

Hope Grants are aimed at new pediatric cancer research and treatment projects. Dell Children's will use the grant to expand psychosocial services aimed at improving the quality of life for children and their families battling the disease.

Dell Children's is one of just 71 recipients of the 2011 Hope Grant program. $7.1 million will be awarded during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Sharon Lockhart, pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Dell Children's, accepted the grant on behalf of the hospital and the Children's Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas.

Extra Life
Play Games. Heal Kids.

October 15th

8am (for 24 hours)

Extra Life Donor Drive
Fun for the family, a 24 hour gaming marathon for any age.

In 2008 and 2009, Extra Life raised a combined $302,000, 100 percent of which went directly
to help kids with cancer at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, a Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
While thousands of gamers, more than 100 websites and more than 12,000 donors were happy
to support Extra Life, many expressed their desire to raise money to help kids closer to home.
This year, when you sign up to play video games for 24 hours on Oct. 15, 2011, you won't just
be raising money for kids. You'll be supporting LOCAL kids and their families. Kids right in your
own backyard.
Do you want to have more fun than you can handle while helping some of the bravest
(and smallest) warriors in your community? All you have to do is:

1. Register at Extra-Life.org and create your personal fundraising page.

2. Try to get four friends or family members to sponsor you at $1 per hour ($24 each).

3. Sit on your rear end and play video games for 24 hours straight on Saturday, Oct. 15, beginning at 8 a.m.

You will make such a big difference and have so much fun doing it!

To learn more about this event or to register, please visit www.extra-life.org.

One Lucky Little Girl

One Sunday evening last December, four-year-old Kloē Souhrada, was getting ready for bed. She had just taken a bath and was playing on the couch before bedtime. Suddenly, Kloē fell off of the couch and landed on her back on a knitting bag. When she got up, her parents, Mary and Kevin, were shocked to see a 12-inch knitting needle protruding from her back. In a panic, they immediately called 911 and Kloē was transported via ambulance to Dell Children's Medical Center's Emergency Department.

While the trauma team examined Kloē, she protested that her back didn't hurt and that she only needed a band-aid. Nurses were amazed by this brave little girl as they prepped her for emergency surgery. Dr. Kenneth Fox, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr. Julie Sanchez, a pediatric trauma surgeon, told Mary and Kevin that Kloē would need surgery and may need to be put on cardiopulmonary bypass as the diagnostic tests showed that the knitting needle may have pierced her heart and possibly other vital organs. The team would work together in the operating room to ensure the best possible outcome.

Once Kloē's surgery began, the hours seemed like days as Mary and Kevin nervously watched the clock ticking away. Kaleb, Kloē's six-year-old brother, was also at the hospital, since the Souhrada family did not have any family close by. Dell Children's Child Life Specialists worked with Kaleb to explain what was happening and keep him occupied while Mary and Kevin spoke with doctors and phoned family. Dr. Fox finally emerged from surgery to happily tell them that Kloē was one very lucky little girl. The knitting needle had just missed her trachea, esophagus and heart but had pierced her right lung, with the tip actually moving the aorta out of position. In fact, the needle had missed her pulmonary vein and pulmonary artery by less than a centimeter. The needle was successfully removed with no long-term effects.

Kloē spent several days at Dell Children's recovering from open-heart surgery and letting her punctured lung heal. One nurse, Jeri, even brought her a special box full of Hello Kitty pink band-aids (her favorite color), so she could finally get the band-aid she had bravely asked for in the Emergency Department. Mary and Kevin thankfully watched as Kloē made a full recovery.

Mary recalls, "Dell Children's was wonderful from the minute we arrived. My husband and I were devastated and the staff was knowledgeable and reassuring. The Child Life Specialists really helped Kaleb cope with seeing his sister get hurt so traumatically. We will be forever grateful for the care and support Dell Children's provided to not only my daughter, but to our whole family during this traumatic event."

Dell Children’s Trust Votes to Grant $50,000 to Dell Children’s Programs

This year’s funding options ranged from high chairs and play mats to advanced medical equipment and many members fought to contain their emotions as Dell Children’s program staff explained the reasons for the requests. View vignettes on each of the incredible program finalists.

The Dell Children’s Trust had $50,000 in their granting pool this year. Each member cast their vote and the following areas received funding.

Fully Funded:

• Bereavement Care: Annual Memorial Service
• Emergency Department: Critical Monitoring Unit
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: NIRS Monitor

Partially Funding:

• Family Centered Care: High Chairs and Play Mats

About the Trust: The Dell Children's Trust of Central Texas was established to nurture the next generation of leaders for Dell Children's. It is a philanthropic organization comprised of people who share an interest in pediatric healthcare and are dedicated to providing leadership through service and philanthropic support to Dell Children's.

The Dell Children's Trust is collaborative giving to create impact. Departments and programs within Dell Children's apply for grants each year. The annual membership donations are pooled and the Trust members vote on which programs they would like to fund. For more information on this group or to join, please visit their webpage.

Is Your Child Wearing a Helmet This Summer? Kasey is Glad He Did!

Once they got home, Kasey started acting lethargic and complained of stomach pains. He even lay down on the couch and said he wanted to go to sleep, highly unusual behavior for this energetic little boy. To be on the safe side, Kasey’s mom Debbie took him to Dell Children’s Medical Center. The Trauma Service staff determined that Kasey had injured one of his kidneys. Doctors told Debbie that if Kasey had not been wearing a helmet, he could have sustained a serious head injury and would probably not be the same boy as he was before the accident.

Kasey suffered from abdominal pain due to a serious laceration to his kidney. His injuries required close monitoring in the hospital for the next several days. Once he was released from Dell Children’s, Kasey spent a week on bed rest (quite a challenge for a 6-year-old), and then was able to return to school, although he was restricted from P.E. for three months. He was also seen in the Trauma Clinic as an outpatient until his abdominal pain ended and testing showed that he had a completely healed kidney. After his recovery, Kasey was determined to keep riding his bike and to stay healthy and fit. He has since participated in 4 kid triathlons!

During Kasey’s treatment, Debbie was particularly impressed with Kasey’s Nurse Practitioner, Kelly. “Kelly was so personable and sweet with Kasey. They really formed a bond during his stay at Dell Children’s. In fact, to show Kasey how proud she was of him for wearing a helmet, Kelly presented him with a new helmet with blinking lights. Even though Kasey couldn’t wear the helmet for a few months after the incident, he displayed it in his room as a reminder of how proud Kelly was of him”, says Debbie.

As a result of his accident, Kasey has become an advocate for bike safety. When Kasey sees someone without a helmet, he asks his mom if he can talk to them about helmet safety. Kasey even spearheaded a recent school assembly of more than 700 students about helmet safety and invited his favorite nurse, Kelly, to speak. He also raised $300 and partnered with community organizations to purchase helmets to distribute at the assembly. View the helmet safety handouts Kasey and his family provided at the assembly: handout #1 and handout #2.

Did You Know?

• National estimates report that bicycle helmet use among child bicyclists ranges from 15 percent to 25 percent (Rodgers GB. Bicycle helmet use patterns among children. Pediatrics 1996; 97:166-73.)
• Among the 44 bicycle related admissions to Dell Children’s Medical Center in 2009, 75% of the pediatric patients were not wearing a helmet (Dell Children’s Trauma Service Annual Report, 2009)

Top Bike Safety Tips (Safe Kids USA 2011)

• Make it a rule: Every time you and your child ride a bike, wear a bicycle helmet that meets the safety standards developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If your child is reluctant to wear a helmet, try letting him or her choose his own.
• Helmet fit is important: Make sure the helmet fits and your child knows how to put it on correctly. A helmet should sit on top of the head in a level position, and should not rock forward, backward or side to side. The helmet straps must always be buckled but not too tightly.
• Proper equipment fit and maintenance are also important for safety: Ensure proper bike fit by bringing the child along when shopping for a bike. Buy a bicycle that is the right size for the child, not one he will grow into. When sitting on the seat, the child’s feet should be able to touch the ground. Make sure the reflectors are secure, brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly and tires are tightly secured and properly inflated.

Meet the Wallin Family

Last summer, the Wallin family suffered a traumatic boating accident on Lake Travis that would change their lives forever.

Featured at the 2011 Dell Children's Gala click here to watch the video highlighting thier story as told by the Wallin family. 

Have You Herd? CowParade is Coming to Austin!

CowParade, the largest and most recognized public art event in the world, is coming to Central Texas. Beginning in June 2011, between 100-150 cows painted by local artists will be on display throughout the community.

On October 30, 2011 at the CowParade Austin Auction Gala at The Driskill Hotel, a select number of cows will be auctioned off to benefit Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and Dell Children’s Superhero Kids Fund. Globally, CowParade has raised in excess of $30 million for its nonprofit partners.

Ways to join the herd:

• Become an Official CowParade Austin Artist – We are now accepting applications to become an official CowParade Austin artist. Click here to find out more.
• Become a CowParade Austin Sponsor - Individuals and companies of all sizes are invited to get involved in CowParade by sponsoring a cow or even a herd.
• Follow CowParade Austin - Follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook to keep up with the latest news from CowParade Austin. We’ll have contests, special announcements and more.

A Look Back at the Dell Children's Gala

The Dell Children's Gala was one of the most anticipated and successful events of the new year. Chaired by Beth and Marshall Durrett and hosted by members of the Dell Children's Council, the gala was held January 29, 2011, at the Austin Convention Center's Grand Ballroom. Over 1,000 attendees enjoyed a phenomenal event while making an impact in the lives of Central Texas children.

As guests entered, they were greeted with a glass of champagne and a stunning, vibrant, orange, floral sculpture designed and created by David Kurio that stood almost two floors high, symbolizing the theme of the event – One Child at a Time. Once upstairs in the cocktail lounge, guests enjoyed music by DJ Manny, cocktails, and delicious hors d'oeuvres while casting their bids on items from a weekend stay at an ocean-view condo in Santa Monica, to a first-class hunting package at Four Canyons Ranch.

During dinner guests were amazed by floor to ceiling projection design that lined two entire walls of the ballroom, allowing artistic visual effects and a great view of videos and sponsor recognition during the program. After dinner guests danced the night away to the Matt Wilson Band and tried their luck at the casino lounge. The night continued on with an exclusive after-party at Trio at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin featuring late-night fare and music by DJ Manny.

The Dell Children's Gala was an incredible success raising $1,080,000 for the medical center. The Dell Children's Council, the Foundation's support group that raises funds and provides volunteer leadership through the annual gala, and the event Chairs were proud to boast that the funds raised that night, $263,000, exceeded previous galas.

Every year, the gala committee works hard to incorporate meaningful ways to involve the community. The Miracle Book and Kids 4 Kids projects have been wildly successful. All gala guests receive a Miracle Book which is unveiled each year at the event. This year's Miracle Book is a beautiful social calendar featuring 225 family and business photos. To see the Miracle Book online, visit http://www.cerqa.com/images/cerqanew/themiracle2011/themiracle2011.html.

Kids 4 Kids, spearheaded by the Dell Children's Council, provided a wonderful opportunity for middle and high school children to learn about the joy of giving. Twenty-four motivated children signed up to participate in the inaugural year of Kids 4 Kids. Participants attended a hospital orientation where they learned about Dell Children's patients and received a private tour to better understand how they could make a difference in their community. The children created online fundraisers with photos and a personal note which they emailed to friends and family. In just four month the group of twenty-four children raised over $16,000 for Dell Children's!

Children's Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas and Dell Children's would like to thank our sponsors, donors, and attendees as well as all the volunteers and Dell Children's Council members that made the event such a huge success. Thanks to you, we will continue to provide excellence in pediatric healthcare for the patients and families of Central Texas.

Dell Employees Help Patients Discover Their Creativity

On Friday, January 21st, ten Dell employees volunteered to lead an art project with patients at Dell Children's Medical Center. If you happened to pass by one of the hospital's Child Life activity rooms during this time you would have glimpsed a room full of smiling patients and adults, their hands or brushes covered in paint, teaming up to show their creativity on pillowcases. Dell employee and volunteer team leader, Robyn Nunis said, "It felt good to help bring smiles to the children's faces during our project. Many of the patients were in hospital gowns and were trailing machines, but that didn't stop them from joining in the fun. I will also remember the smiles plastered on my co-workers faces!"

Dell Children's Medical Center is a Dell YouthConnect US recipient, a program which provides funding, computer equipment, and volunteers in support of the hospital's goal to improve health outcomes for children and youth. The program focuses on providing health information to patients and families through Dell Children's Family Resource Center. In addition, volunteers help with fun patient activities that aid in the healing process.

If you are interested in hosting a patient activity at Dell Children's Medical Center, please contact the Child Life Department at (512) 324-0146 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ken Gladish to lead the Seton Foundations

Ken Gladish has accepted the position of president and CEO of the Seton Foundations. Ken is a nationally recognized leader in charitable and philanthropic endeavors.

Since 2008, Ken has been president and CEO of the Austin Community Foundation (ACF). During his tenure, ACF received more than $65 million in contributions and disbursed nearly $60 million to a wide range of charitable causes in Central Texas. Prior to joining ACF, Ken served as president of the YMCA of the USA and in academic leadership roles in Michigan and Indiana. He will begin his new role in November.

The Seton Foundations are comprised of the Seton Fund, Children's Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas, Seton Williamson Foundation and Seton Hays Foundation. In partnership with generous donors, these fundraising foundations raised nearly $19 million last year to support Seton's healthcare ministry in Central Texas.

Philanthropic support will continue to be critical to Seton's success as we expand medical education and innovative research across Central Texas as part of our partnership with UT Southwestern Medical School and The University of Texas System.

As Seton welcomes Ken Gladish, we again recognize the remarkable achievements of Gene Attal, who left Seton in January after 35 remarkable years of service. Under Gene's leadership, Seton's fundraising efforts supported the opening of the region's first neonatal intensive care unit, the region's only heart transplant center and construction of new facilities such as Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Seton Medical Center Williamson and Seton Medical Center Hays. In addition, we thank Gerald Hill, interim president of the Seton Foundations and executive director of the Seton Hays Foundation, for his exceptional leadership during his transition.

Please join us in welcoming Ken to the Seton Family of Hospitals. His expertise, vision and commitment will help us continue to ensure a vibrant and dynamic philanthropic partnership with the Central Texas community.

Women's Trust Presents Charitable Gift to Texas Child Study Center in Inaugural Year

Extraordinary Women Unite 

The Women's Trust is a philanthropic group of extraordinary women who share a strong interest in children's health issues and are dedicated to providing leadership through their support of Dell Children's.

Bequest Continues One Family's Legacy of Love for Children

Giving Across Generations

Jack Puryear is a community leader in Central Texas who has been instrumental in the success of the Children's Blood and Cancer Center at Dell Children's. Jack is passionate about doing good for others, and his love for children with cancer will live on through a bequest in his will to support Dell Children's. "Providing a gift after I'm gone will help children who are suffering," says Jack.

We need your help!

Upcoming Projects 

With your continued support, you help shape the future of Dell Children's.

Building a Better Future for Central Texas Children

3 Years Strong and Growing

With your help, Dell Children's has expanded its programs and services since opening in June 2007. Your support has created unique services specifically tailored for Central Texas children and adolescents.

America Alcantara's Amazing Life Transformation

Click HERE to view America's inspirational story.