Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Establishes $2 Million Endowed Chair

On September 25, Carolinas HealthCare System announced a charitable commitment from the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation establishing a $2 million endowed chair in support of academic and research efforts at Levine Children’s Hospital. The funds will be designated to create the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Javier Oesterheld, MD, who is the Specialty Medical Director at the Levine Children’s Hospital Torrence E. Hemby, Jr. Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant Center, has been named the first Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Endowed Chair. Continue reading.

 

Leon Levine Foundation Gifts

The Leon Levine Foundation continued its extraordinary support for Levine Cancer Institute, by pledging an additional $2 million in September in support of both early-stage clinical research at LCI, as well as programs to reduce disparities in cancer care and prevention.

 

7th Annual Stiletto Sprint raises $100,000 for Ovarian Cancer Research at Levine Cancer Institute

The 7th Annual Stiletto Sprint on September 16 brought together survivors, advocates, caregivers, and family and friends, to support those fighting ovarian cancer. Presented by Bissell Companies, the Stiletto Sprint raised $100,000 to benefit the Carolinas Ovarian Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute.

 

22 Years of Building Hope for Levine Children’s Hospital

On October 14, more than 1,100 runners, walkers, and Levine Children’s Hospital supporters laced up their running shoes for the 22nd Annual Hopebuilders 5K. Led by Presenting Sponsor, Barings, and top corporate fundraising teams from UTC Aerospace Systems, the Hopebuilders 5K raised net proceeds of over $200,000. Carolinas HealthCare System teammates were well-represented on fundraising teams led by Niraj Patel, MD; Amina Ahmed, MD; Marc Dy, MD; Dennis Schellhase, MD; the Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence; the CMC Women’s Institute; and Levine Children’s Hospital’s Progressive Care Unit.

 

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Speedway Children’s Charities Establish Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concussion Research Fund at Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Children’s Hospital

In honor of local hero Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s considerable contributions to the NASCAR community throughout his iconic career, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Speedway Children’s Charities have established the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concussion Research Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital with a gift of $100,000.

The $100,000 gift, announced on October 6 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, underwrites ImPACT baseline concussion testing for more than 10,000 student athletes at middle schools, high schools and athletic associations in five area counties.

 

Bladder Cancer Research Fund

A generous local family recently contributed $500,000 anonymously to establish a new Bladder Cancer Research Fund at Levine Cancer Institute. This generous gift, and future contributions to the Fund, will enhance bladder cancer research programs at LCI led by the new chair of urology, Dr. Peter Clark.

 

Fundraisers Boosts Nephrology Center of Excellence

On October 5, an energetic group of over 200 attended the second “Tune Up Your Kidneys” event benefiting the Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence at Levine Children’s Hospital. The event was once again held at the home of Mary Claudia (MC) and Jeff Pilon, parents to a child who has been impacted by kidney disease.

Special guests from the Dreamcatcher Society, which is funding the Center as its current project, also joined in the fun. The event raised over $70,000 for the Center.

 

Dean Otto and Friends go the Distance for Patients at Carolinas Rehabilitation

Just over one year ago, Charlotte resident Dean Otto was nearly paralyzed after being hit by a truck while riding his bike on Providence Road. A true athlete with a heart of grace, Dean Otto defied the odds when he completed a half marathon in Napa Valley, California, with the driver who struck him and the surgeon who performed his life-saving surgery at Carolinas Medical Center, Dr. Matt McGirt. Dean’s story  — one of triumph over what could have been a tragedy — has generated national attention, landing Dean and his marathon partners on The Ellen Show (see media highlights here) and The Today Show. Through Dean’s personal fundraising efforts, bolstered by news coverage in local and national outlets, Dean has raised over $40,000 to support the L.I.F.E. (Living Fit and Engaged) Program at Carolinas Rehabilitation, benefiting patients with spinal cord injuries.