Dell Children's Foundation

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Not all heroes wear capes.” There is nowhere that this is more true than at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Here, our heroes wear scrubs, white coats, sneakers, and stethoscopes. They’re quick as a flash when it comes to giving shots, otherworldly when it comes to executing world-class treatment plans, and supernaturally kind when it’s time to give comfort to the thousands of patients who visit our hospital every year. For the families that rely on our doctors, nurses, and staff to perform surgery, endure treatment, and ultimately heal and thrive, they truly are superheroes. However, one day a year, our heroes get reinforcements. Dell Children’s Superhero Day is more than just a fun event—it’s a day that lifts spirits, fosters community, and reminds everyone at Dell Children’s that even during the toughest times and most difficult experiences of their young lives, there are always heroes ready to lend a helping hand. https://lnkd.in/gMUKSbm2

Dell Children’s Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of three new members of our Board of Trustees. Please join us in welcoming John J. Gilluly III, DLA Piper, Amy Porter, Skylark Private Equity Partners, and Anne Teel, Dell Technologies. The Dell Children’s Foundation board is committed to raising awareness and philanthropic community support for Dell Children’s Medical Center and Dell Children's North Campus. Combined, these professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership in key areas to elevate the Board's continued support in expanding pediatric care at Dell Children’s for children and families. We are delighted to welcome these three community leaders in joining us to lift up the mission of Dell Children’s, which relies on support from the community to ensure our doors stay open and that no child is ever turned away regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Roughly 70 percent of Dell Children’s patients are underinsured or uninsured, and philanthropic support ensures Dell Children’s can continue to provide the same level of world class care to every child. For a full list of the Dell Children’s Board of Trustees, visit supportdellchildrens.org.

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Songs Help Sisters Prepare for Heart Surgery To prepare for their life-changing surgeries at Dell Children’s, sisters Heidi and Harper Gaffney from San Antonio turned to music to help them relax. For both girls, the choice of artists was clear—Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo. Heidi, 17, and Harper, 13, were diagnosed as infants with a genetic heart condition that thickens the heart muscle, making it difficult for their hearts to pump blood. A recent heart catheterization revealed their hearts were at risk of failing, prompting doctors to recommend immediate intervention. “Without doing anything, they would go into cardiac arrest and be unresuscitable,” said Dr. Erin Gottlieb, chief of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. Both sisters required left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to help their hearts pump blood and improve their health until they qualify for heart transplants. Given the rapidly deteriorating condition of their hearts, both sisters’ surgeries were considered high-risk. Typically, anesthesia takes 30 seconds, but for Heidi and Harper, the process required 15 minutes, with the medication administered slowly to avoid shocking their systems. To keep the girls calm, Dr. Gottlieb and her team meticulously planned every detail—from the hug zone where parents say goodbye to the ambiance in the operating room. When Heidi noted she wasn’t falling asleep, Dr. Gottlieb reassured her, saying, “Let’s listen to another Taylor Swift song.” The music played until the girls were fully asleep, allowing Dr. Fraser and his team to focus on the procedures. During surgery, Dr. Fraser held each girl’s hand, monitoring subtle changes in their pulses and offering comfort. Now back home in San Antonio, the sisters are adjusting to life with their LVADs. The sisters share the responsibility of managing their LVADs, each carrying batteries in pink fanny packs connected to their devices. “We did it together,” said Harper—a bond that only they fully understand. https://lnkd.in/gNwPgTsw

Every year, thousands of families across the country hear the words no family is ever prepared to hear: “Your child has cancer.” Once the shock of this news subsides there is little time for heartbreak. As so many of these families know, navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis can overwhelm even the most strongly supported of families. At Dell Children’s, we’re on a mission to be the support Central Texas families rely on to get through their cancer journeys. At the forefront of the continued search for a cure is our Children’s Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC). As a leading pediatric cancer care provider, the CBCC offers state-of-the-art treatments, compassionate care, and unwavering support to children and their families navigating the complexities of cancer. From groundbreaking research to comprehensive family services, the CBCC is committed to treating cancer and transforming the lives of those forever changed by a diagnosis. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this month, we’re spotlighting the efforts of our CBCC and the team of medical professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to finding cures. As a leading pediatric cancer care provider, the CBCC at Dell Children’s not only offers state-of-the-art treatments and compassionate care but also unwavering support to children and their families navigating the complexities of cancer. In honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, you can help us continue to perform groundbreaking research and offer comprehensive family services with a donation that will help the CBCC continue to transform the lives of patients who rely on them for a cure. To learn more, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gNXA6725

Dell Children’s and SXSW are both uniquely Austin, and we need your support in bringing the two together for a special opportunity at the 2025 SXSW! Please join us in voting for a #SXSW Panel featuring Dell Children's own Andrew Wei, Patient Technology Coordinator with our Child Life team. Andrew's position was funded by an organization called Child's Play - which exists to fund technology and gaming support positions and equipment in children's hospitals.  They will present on this topic at SXSW 2025 - if they get enough votes on their panel - so we need your help in voting and spreading the word! Voting ends August 16th! VOTE HERE: "Gamers Revolutionizing Careers in Pediatric Hospitals" https://lnkd.in/gqgQVdtu

The inaugural Peds Cardio AI Conference, sponsored by UT Dell Medical School and Dell Children’s Medical Center, will explore these technologies and their clinical impact, both in their present and future states. We hope to see you in Austin September 5-7! #PedsCardioAI https://lnkd.in/grrrh-qR

Baby Alfie, third born son to Libby Chennell and Dr. Peter Gilbreth, was born with craniosynostosis, a condition where the plates of a baby's skull fuse prematurely, and if left untreated, a baby’s brain will not grow to its full capacity. Upon receiving the possible diagnosis just days after his birth, the family quickly scheduled an appointment with a craniofacial specialist at Dell Children’s, Dr. Patrick Kelley. Dr. Kelley was able to confirm that Alfie did indeed have craniosynostosis and explained the condition in detail, highlighting that the fused plates in Alfie's skull could impede brain growth, and surgery would be necessary within the first few months of his life. Alfie underwent surgery when he was only four months old. The operation involved placing four spacers in his skull to ensure proper growth. The support from the medical team at Dell Children's Medical Center was exceptional. The family's experience at Dell Children's Medical Center was profoundly positive, largely due to the hospital's focus on providing comprehensive, cutting-edge care locally. Having access to this world-class treatment eliminated the need for lengthy travel, allowed the family to stay together, and most importantly, maintained some semblance of normalcy that helped them recover fully and quickly. Having their support system, including the medical staff and their community, played a crucial role in navigating this challenging time. Thank you to Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships for your partnership with us to share these stories of hope and resilience through #SpiritofCaring!

ICYMI: Dell Children's will soon offer stem cell transplants to kids with cancers and blood disorders. Led by #DellMed's Amir Mian, the program will provide care close to home for families who previously had to travel out of Central TX for treatment. https://bit.ly/3VYwSwb

Nursing is a healthcare industry role with a reputation for being ultimately rewarding; it is also known for being tremendously difficult, and over the past few years, many great hospitals have lost many great nurses because of the personal toll the job can take. Again, Dell Children’s is no different. While we celebrate our dedicated and compassionate nurses who tirelessly care for our children, our minds can’t help but turn to the nurses who care for our most vulnerable patients—our specialized acute care nurses. The role of a specialized acute care nurse is to take care of the immediate and serious medical needs of our children experiencing sudden illnesses, major surgeries, injuries, and complex medical conditions. In children’s hospitals, specialized acute care nurses hold a unique and indispensable role— their expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment make a profound difference in the lives of our youngest patients. In fact, their ability to provide specialized care often ensures better outcomes and a higher quality of life for young patients. However, the need for these specialized professionals is growing, and philanthropy plays a crucial role in ensuring that children’s hospitals can recruit and retain the talent needed to advance complex care. The demand for specialized acute care nurses in children’s hospitals is rising due to advances in medical technology, the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, and an aging nursing workforce, requiring nurses who are both clinically proficient and emotionally resilient. To help make sure we can support our current and future nurses, philanthropy is crucial for meeting the growing need for specialized acute care nurses in children’s hospitals. Generous donations can fund advanced training, support recruitment and retention, and enhance patient care facilities. Additionally, philanthropy can drive research that innovates pediatric nursing care. Every day, every shift, every hour, there is a nurse at Dell Children’s that goes the extra mile to provide exceptional care for the children who come through our doors. They don’t do it because they have to, they do it because they need to—offering exceptional care is part of who they are. Join us in honoring and supporting our specialized acute care nurses, recognizing their dedication and expertise with our unwavering commitment because supporting those who support us is part of who we are.

Dell Children’s Medical Center, the only dedicated freestanding pediatric facility in the region, serves a 46-county area providing the only Level I trauma center and most specialized care for our children and adolescents. The Dell Children’s Foundation works with our generous philanthropic community and their passion to invest in the future of our children’s health in Central Texas. For over a decade, we have changed how our children are cared for in our community. https://lnkd.in/guxSm5sZ