A Sound Future: Taylor’s Story
If you met Taylor today, you would probably first notice her warm smile and kind personality. A senior in the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University studying business, marketing, advertising, and public relations, she enjoys spending time with friends and staying active. What you might not realize is that Taylor is deaf. When Everything Changed […]
From Childhood Patient to Lifelong Supporter
Inspired by his childhood experience at Children’s, longtime DVE Rocks Children’s Radiothon listener Joe Oblek recently chose to include UPMC Children’s in his estate plans. Below, Joe shares more about his story of giving in his own words. A Childhood Connection to Children’s When I was about 5 years old, doctors discovered a congenital […]
My Daughter, My Purpose
How my journey as the parent of a patient inspires and drives me as president, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. By Rachel Petrucelli I still remember sitting in an exam room at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2001 with my infant daughter, Hannah, waiting for someone to tell us what was wrong. She was only […]
Seeing the Signs, Creating Change: Nonprofit Expands ADHD Support for Kids
For Elizabeth Esposito, helping others isn’t just something she values. It is something she puts into action. A high school student from Morgantown, West Virginia, Elizabeth is the founder of See the Signs, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to improving the identification and management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly among girls and young women. Her passion […]
Celebrating 25 Years: The Impact You’ve Made Through Your Support
On October 31, 2001, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation was established with a singular purpose: to serve as the sole fundraising arm of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, connecting the generosity of our community to the care and research that give kids and families hope. Since then, that purpose has remained unchanged. Every donor, fundraiser, volunteer, […]
A Lasting Commitment to Children’s Kidney Care: Dr. Carl Bates
Carl Bates, MD, dedicated his career to improving outcomes for children with kidney disease. Now, in retirement, he continues to contribute to the field of pediatric nephrology through his philanthropy. Building a Stronger Division Dr. Bates joined UPMC Children’s in 2008 as Chief of Pediatric Nephrology and later served as Vice Chair of Basic Research […]
UPMC Children’s Earns Top 10 National Ranking
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has been named to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll for 2026-2027, earning a place among the nation’s top 10 pediatric hospitals. In addition, UPMC Children’s is nationally ranked in all 11 pediatric specialties surveyed. This recognition reflects the dedication of our physicians, nurses, researchers, […]
UPMC Children’s Leads Historic Melanoma Trial
Although melanoma is one of the most common cancers in adults, it remains very rare in children and teens. For decades, kids have been excluded from major clinical trials. As a result, physicians historically relied on adult data to guide treatment decisions for pediatric patients despite clear biological differences. A landmark clinical trial at UPMC […]
Silver Linings: Luca’s Battle With Cancer
In the fall of 2023, Luca was a busy sophomore in high school when he began experiencing pain in his jaw. Luca’s parents, Kara and Dominic, took him to a dentist and oral surgeon, but the specialists were unable to determine the cause of Luca’s pain. Shortly thereafter, Luca noticed strange bruising on his arm. […]
Crew’s Story of Strength and Recovery
It was a normal summer day in late July 2025. Demetrius and Madison were home in Plum with their three children, Mila, 7, Levi, 3, and Crew, 9 months. Crew, an easygoing baby, was in his highchair when his parents heard him make a strange sound. Madison lifted Crew from his highchair, noticing how tired […]