Akron Children's Foundation

Akron Children's has been visiting some Akron Public Schools to help teach students how to improve their oral health. Our staff went to nine schools, presented to over 500 second graders, and provided those students with a bag filled with preventative oral health items including a toothbrush, toothpaste and brushing timers. The bags were made possible thanks to an in-kind donation from the Delta Dental Foundation. Thank you for your ongoing support of healthy smiles!

Friday night was definitely one to remember! Ten local celebrities took the stage at the Akron Civic Theatre to raise money for Akron Children's Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders as part of this year's Dancing for the Kids event. Not only did their performances blow us away, but they helped raise more than $230,000 for the hospital! That is absolutely incredible! Thank you again to all of our amazing dancers and their partners, to the Emerging Leaders of Akron Children's which puts on this event each year, to Keith Kennedy for emceeing, to our judges, to our title sponsor, the Showers Family Foundation, and of course to everyone who attended and donated. You all have made an incredible impact on the patients and families in the Showers Center 💙 We can't wait to share more from this year's Dancing for the Kids, so stay tuned!

Our patients and families are awesome! Last week, the Caprara family stopped by for an appointment and they brought a special gift - a donation to Akron Children's. Sadie, who is being treated for skeletal dysplasia, sold t-shirts to support the skeletal dysplasia clinic, while also raising awareness and promoting kindness and acceptance. Thank you, Sadie and family! You are an inspiration, and we appreciate the support! 💙💙💙

Akron Children's has been caring for children since 1890. With two hospital campuses and locations throughout Ohio, we’re making it easier for today’s busy families to find the high-quality care they need. To learn more about the hospital and how to support the children and families who come to us, visit the 2024 Giving Guide, in partnership with Crain's Cleveland Business. https://lnkd.in/gmbcgeJc

Last week we hosted a construction tour of our Akron Children's Health Center, Medina for a few of our local friends. We were excited for the opportunity to provide this tour as we continue to raise funds for this project that is critical to serving the children and families in Medina County. Thank you to everyone who attended! And a special thank you to Sandridge Crafted Foods for their support of the event. To learn more about how you can impact children's health in Medina County please contact us at giving@akronchildrens.org.

Akron Children's celebrated Be You Day yesterday with the help of volunteers from Smucker's. Be You Day allows us to take time to let all children know they're accepted and valuable - just as they are! The Berry Good Reading Program, sponsored by Smucker’s, passed out books and resources to children at locations throughout our 2 campuses and pediatric offices. In addition, volunteers shared friendship bracelets made by Smucker’s employees. Thank you to everyone who helped to make sure our children know they're awesome, just as they are.

We are saddened to hear of the passing long-time Akron Children’s supporter, Jim Oelschlager. Words will never adequately capture the impact Jim has had on the children and families at Akron Children’s and the city as a whole.   Jim and his wife, Vanita, funded The Oelschlager Center for Child Advocacy Fund, which focuses on extending health care into our communities' schools; supporting community health care workers in areas we serve; and helping to break down barriers that may prevent families from seeking care.   Jim’s passion to help others extended across the globe as well. Most recently, Jim and Vanita’s support has gone to the global health initiatives at Akron Children’s.   Our thoughts are with Jim’s wife, Vanita, and his children, Mark, chair of the Akron Children’s Foundation, Annie, and the entire Oelschlager family.

Storytelling is a craft. When done right, it moves people. Please take time to watch this news story. Thank you to Jay Crawford for being a true pro and for telling our The NASCAR Foundation “Speedy Bear” story. 🧸 Matt Kaulig - Kaulig Racing - Kaulig Charitable Giving Programs

Eleven local celebrities are getting ready to take the stage at the Akron Civic Theatre next month to raise money for Akron Children's! This year's Dancing for the Kids event, presented by The Showers Family Foundation, will bring local celebrities together with dance partners to perform on-stage in support of the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders 🕺 You can get your tickets now to join us for this fun, family-friendly evening at bit.ly/DFTK24! We hope to see you there!

Last week we gathered at our Endowed Named Chair Recognition Celebration to honor the donors who have endowed chairs at Akron Children's. Dr. Jessica Foster, holder of the Venner Family Endowed Chair in Autism, spoke on her work and how funding from her endowed chair has helped elevate care. We also welcomed Shannon and Jason Venner who shared their family's story and journey with Akron Children’s. Dr. Erin Wright was also announced as the new holder of The Jeffrey A. Barbour Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Research and Healing.