This year, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation launched its largest-ever fundraising campaign, This Moment: Put a Child’s Future First, which will raise $200 million for UPMC Children’s to revolutionize children’s health. To celebrate, we are proud to share a few of this year’s accomplishments made possible with the support of our generous donors.
Ranked in All 11 Specialties
With community support, UPMC Children’s is a leader in treating and caring for childhood conditions and diseases and is nationally ranked in all 11 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Reached a Milestone in Transplantation
Since 1981, the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation at UPMC Children’s has performed more pediatric transplants than any other center, giving hope to over 3,900 patients. The team further celebrated their 200th living-donor liver transplant earlier this year!
Progressed on the New Heart Institute
With exceptional community investment, the hospital is constructing a state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot, three-story Heart Institute expansion. In October 2024, the final structural steel beam was placed on the top floor of the addition following a ceremonial topping-off beam ceremony for donors and staff.
Invested in the Future of Children’s Health
At Grantmakers 2024, the Children’s Trust awarded $170,000 to pediatric researchers, allowing members to drive groundbreaking projects from pitch to progress.
Celebrated One Year of the Behavioral Health Walk-In Clinic
Behavioral health care access remains a paramount priority for UPMC Children’s. This past August, the hospital marked the first anniversary of the public launch of our Behavioral Health (BH) Walk-In Clinic. The BH Walk-In Clinic has served over 650 children and families, providing critical mental health support and resources to kids from 19 different counties in Pennsylvania
And Five Years of Creative Arts Therapy
The hospital recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Nora Grace Kaufman Center for Creative Arts Therapy at UPMC Children’s! Through music, art, dance, and creative expression, the space has become a sanctuary where children and their families find strength, hope, and joy amid their medical journeys.
Revolutionized Care for Kids with Heart Conditions
Evonne Morell, DO, and Libby Lanford, MD, supported by other cardiac specialists, launched the Early Single Ventricle Multidisciplinary Clinic/Home Monitoring Program at UPMC Children’s. Thanks to this initiative, infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), can now be safely discharged home between their first two major surgeries—an enormous breakthrough.
Celebrated Big Wins with Patients (and Special Guests)
With the support of his doctors, family, and community — including Pittsburgh Steelers’ Cam Heyward — Porter finished cancer treatment this year.
Broke a Radiothon Record
In September, our community came together a raised a record $1,132,950 for the 17th annual DVE Rock’s Children’s Radiothon!
Reunited With Old Friends
When Matt Kocher and Victor Flinko met nearly 20 years ago during their treatments at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, then located in the Oakland neighborhood, they had no reason to believe that they would someday meet again. Their shared hospital experience left a mark on each, though, and this year, they reunited unexpectedly in a very familiar place: at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in Lawrenceville, during a workday.
The generosity of our donors is transforming pediatric health through innovative clinical care, promising research, a nurturing patient experience, and vital community health programs. Thank you for giving children the promise of a healthy future!