WVU Medicine Children’s Gala raises more than $97,000
WHEELING, W.Va. – The 14th annual WVU Medicine Children’s Gala, hosted by the Ohio Valley Friends of WVU Medicine Children’s, raised more than $97,000 for the WVU Medicine Children’s Transport Team, while celebrating patients and staff.
The WVU Medicine Children’s Transport team serves critically ill pediatric, neonatal, and maternal patients who require intensive monitoring and continuation of intensive care therapies while being transported to WVU Medicine Children’s.
Proceeds from the event were used to purchase a Tecotherm Neo cooling blanket, which is typically used to slow the progression of injuries and diseases in newborn babies at risk of developing severe brain damage.
“Last year, 30 children were transported from the Ohio Valley to WVU Medicine Children’s by the WVU Medicine Children’s Transport Team, allowing them to receive specialized care on their way to Morgantown,” Cheryl Jones, chief nursing officer of WVU Medicine Children’s, said. “The proceeds from this Gala benefit this crucial transport team.”
The “Moonlight in Morocco” themed gala was held at Oglebay Resort and included colorful décor, gourmet dining, silent and live auctions, and dancing to music provided by The Move Makers. More than 400 guests were in attendance, including members of the community, sponsors, hospital executives, and government officials.
“We are incredibly grateful to our guests, committee, and sponsors,” Jones said. “Without their hard work and dedication to WVU Medicine Children’s, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing the highest level of care to the women and children of our state.”
George Smoulder was recognized as the 2018 WVU Medicine Children’s Community Award winner for his nearly four decades of social service work in the Ohio Valley.
Seven year old Thomas White was the night’s featured miracle child. He was transported to WVU Medicine Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Morgantown shortly after his birth due to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and severe jaundice.
Premier sponsors for the event included Hartley Law Group, PLLC, Southwestern Energy, Gumby’s, LLC, Bordas & Bordas, PLLC, and Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration.
WVU Medicine Children’s – currently located on the sixth floor of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine’s flagship hospital – provides maternal, infant, and pediatric care for West Virginia and the surrounding region, giving care to high-risk mothers, premature infants, and children with life-threatening conditions through adolescence to adulthood. In 2020, WVU Medicine Children’s will move into a new tower and ambulatory care center to be attached to Ruby Memorial. For more information, including ways to support the $60-million capital campaign for Children’s new home, visit wvumedicine.org/childrens.