Since 1989, our friends at Walmart have raised $5 million in total to support the kids and families counting on Cincinnati Children’s. Every year, they hold a campaign with the help of our partners at Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, asking customers to donate at the register or round up their purchases. Last year, they raised more than $200,000 for Camp NjoyItAll, our week-long overnight summer camp for patients who have or have had cancer, blood diseases or immune disorders.

Going above and beyond their role as CMN partners, Walmart also supports our community fundraiser, Cincinnati Walks for Kids. On top of that, they gave $22,000 in gift cards last year to bring toys and smiles to kids spending the holidays in the hospital.

Kila Tripp became passionate about fundraising in high school, while we were treating her for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Her experience inspired her to give back to the cancer community while raising awareness of the need for pediatric cancer research. Shortly after graduating college, Kila’s cancer relapsed and she chose to return to Cincinnati Children’s for treatment. That’s when she began Fund The Cure Next Door, which takes place during pediatric cancer awareness month in September.

Her month-long campaign consisted of a strong social media presence to raise awareness about the research being done at the medical center and multiple fundraising events, including a virtual 5k and a virtual mixology class. She’s even established a fundraising partnership with Biggby Coffee. In less than two years, Kila’s campaigns have raised over $190,000 to advance cancer research at the medical center.

"It is an honor to help shed light on this amazing global leader in pediatric cancer cures. From research to treatment, the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute at Cincinnati Children’s is saving not just kids' lives, but the lives of future leaders, with compassion and science. I am forever indebted to Cincinnati Children's for my bright future."
Kila Tripp, Grateful Patient

Every year, Dairy Queen is helping us change the outcome for kids by hosting Miracle Treat Day at all Greater Cincinnati locations and donating a portion of the proceeds for every Blizzard sold. They also encourage the community to get involved by asking customers to round up their change at the register and by selling Miracle Balloons—all to support the life-changing and life-saving work we do here every single day. As a CMN partner, Dairy Queen has raised a total of $415,000 for the medical center, bringing hope and happiness (and a little bit of sweetness!) to the families counting on us.

“Every day I arrive at work I’m so excited to ask customers to round up their change. That simple question, ‘Would you like to round up your change to the nearest dollar?’, helps kids and families who come to Cincinnati Children’s with overwhelming health issues. Every cent counts, and I’m so happy to be a part of this team.”
Tiffany Stallworth, Dairy Queen Employee

Our long-time friends and partners at Liberty Center pledge $40,000 each year to help improve care, advance research and support important programs at Cincinnati Children’s. They also play a pivotal role in our annual Giving Tuesday campaign, providing a generous gift match to help us bring joy to kids in the hospital during the holiday season. In the past, they’ve also supported Cincinnati Walks for Kids, our Kaleidoscope event and Kindervelt, our largest fundraising auxiliary.

“Our partnership with Cincinnati Children’s has allowed us to give back in such a tangible way. Cincinnati Children’s continues to make a difference in the lives of this community each and every day—we are just happy to play a small part in that with our continued support. We have always valued our relationship and look forward to extending our reach together in the years ahead!”
John Taylor, General Manager, Liberty Center

When Liam was born 13 weeks premature in July of 2009, his parents, Jennifer and Jason, were blindsided by his arrival. Weighing only two pounds, their baby was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Liam passed away in his mother’s arms at just 19 days old. Though they were reeling from their devastating loss, Liam’s family was determined to honor his memory. In 2010, Liam’s grandfather organized the first Liam Nolen Bradley Memorial Golf Outing to support vital NEC research being done at Cincinnati Children’s. Every year since, friends and family have gathered from all over the community for this annual event, raising funds to help advance care and discover cures for babies like Liam.

“After 12 years and nearly $170,000 donated to NEC research, we find solace knowing that Liam's name lives on in the families he has touched. Our hope is that by giving to Cincinnati Children's, NEC will one day be a thing of the past, and babies born too soon will have one less battle to overcome before heading home with Mom and Dad.”
Jennifer Bradley, Mom of Liam

Our employee family is committed to addressing significant needs in the community that go beyond our role as Greater Cincinnati’s best pediatric healthcare provider. Employees like Jim McCarthy, MD and Susan Wade-Murphy, MSN, RN—who strive to reach outside our walls to achieve better outcomes for all children in the region. As co-chairs of the Anita Brentley Community Impact Fund, they work with other employee donors to fund meaningful projects in local communities such as Avondale and Price Hill. These family-centered programs include food pantries, summer camps, extracurricular sports, safety education and more.

“This was a humbling experience. When I first started promoting this project, I did so because I wanted to help others. It wasn’t long before I realized that it’s the people we’re giving the support to, who are the real heroes.”
Jim McCarthy, MD, Director, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics

“For anyone who had the privilege to experience the life and passionate commitment of Anita Brentley to the children and families of our community, you know this recognition is truly hers. Anita had the power to motivate us deeply when she walked with us. Her legacy continues to motivate us now, through giving.”
Susan Wade-Murphy, MSN, RN, Assistant Vice President, Patient Services

Since 2017, Jaxen’s Journey has partnered with us to support research for the Brain Tumor Program in our Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute. Their mission? To raise awareness and funds toward finding a cure for pediatric pineoblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. They give in honor of their son Jaxen, who passed away from the disease in 2016 at just 2 years old. Partners like Jaxen’s Journey help us move forward on the path to advancing research, innovating new treatments and discovering cures.

“We feel honored to receive this award and to continue our son's legacy to help other children and families have hope. Thank you so much!”
Andrew and Kimbraly Kettler, parents of Jaxen and founders of Jaxen’s Journey

Dave Weiper learned a lot from his mother: the importance of compassion, the art of helping others—and how to leave a legacy. He recently gave a gift to support our new Critical Care Building and has included a significant bequest in his will for our Charitable Care Fund, which provides financial assistance to families who face overwhelming medical costs related to the care and survival of their child. Dave’s generous gifts not only help families in need, but also honor his mother’s giving spirit.

“I think about all of the kids who start life with devastating diseases, pain, and adversity, and it’s something that they don’t deserve. There are a lot of families who might not have insurance or enough money to pay for the type of treatments their child needs—and I hope this gift will help them through some of their toughest times.”
David A. Weiper, William Cooper Procter Legacy Society Member

Interact for Health is committed to helping improve the lives of kids and families, promoting health equity through engagement, grants, education, research and policy. Key areas of focus include reducing tobacco use, addressing the opioid epidemic and helping children have access to care through school-based health centers. As a long-time charitable partner, Interact for Health is helping us ensure that more babies reach their first birthdays.

“Interact for Health's tobacco focus area has a goal to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among adults and youth with lower incomes in the Greater Cincinnati region. As part of this work, we have partnered with Cradle Cincinnati over the past four years on their smoking related initiatives for pregnant women. Cradle Cincinnati has centered community, particularly Black women, at the heart of all of their work and it has been an honor to support these efforts as we collectively work to reduce the harms of tobacco use in our region.”
Megan Folkerth, Senior Program Officer, Interact for Health

To celebrate the opening of our Critical Care Building, this year we are honored and thrilled to recognize all of the amazing vendor supporters who have given at the level of $10,000 and above throughout the course of this monumental six-year project! Thank you for helping us make the Critical Care Building a reality, and for helping us transform care for our most fragile and complex patients—and their families.

Sincerest thanks to: