Just for Kids Kampaign to Build a Children’s Hospital in Wake County Reaches Important Fundraising Milestone
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 28, 2009) – The WakeMed Foundation announces that the Triangle-area has come together to raise the first $5 million for the Just For Kids Kampaign (JFKK), the $20 million initiative to fund the first-ever and much-needed Children’s Hospital in Wake County. Of the $20 million, the Foundation seeks to raise $8.5 million by the end of 2009 and the $5 million raised represents 60 percent of that goal.
“We are very appreciative of our community’s support of this campaign, particularly in this challenging economic climate,” commented Jack Radford, WakeMed Foundation executive director. “Demand for pediatric services currently exceeds supply, and the needs will continue to become more acute as our region continues its unprecedented growth. Reaching this fundraising milestone through broad-based support reinforces that the community understands the need for this wonderful resource for families. To make this hospital a reality, we need the community’s continued support and look forward to sustained momentum in our campaign.”
Campaign success to date has occurred through gifts from diverse contributors including individuals, families, foundations, corporations, other organizations, physicians and other practitioners, and WakeMed employees. To date, WakeMed employees have raised $1 million for this initiative. The Foundation’s Physicians Council, under the leadership of Raleigh Pediatric Associates’ Dr. Jerry Bernstein, recently launched P.A.C.T. fundraisers (Physicians Aligned with Children Today), challenging the physician community to raise a minimum of $1 million for the Children’s Hospital. To date, the P.A.C.T. challenge has raised nearly $400,000.
WakeMed currently provides care to more pediatric patients than any other hospital in North Carolina with over 142,000 pediatric patient contacts in 2008 alone. The new Children’s Hospital will enhance and expand the services that WakeMed can provide to children and increase much needed in-patient beds. The new 41,045 square foot, 45-bed Children’s Hospital will feature an inpatient unit with all private, kid-friendly rooms; a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU); an observation unit for children requiring less than a 24-hour stay; an expanded Level IV Intensive Care Nursery; and expanded surgical capabilities, new technologies and additional pediatric sub specialists. Amenities will also include significantly larger rooms, in-room accommodations for parents in the PICU, and teen and kid playrooms for patients. The hospital will have a dedicated elevator direct to the fourth floor from the lobby of the main hospital for increased privacy and security. Anticipated opening is spring 2010.
About WakeMed Foundation
As the philanthropic partner for WakeMed Health & Hospitals, the WakeMed Foundation supports WakeMed’s mission to provide outstanding and compassionate care to all who seek our services by raising friends, funds and future leaders for the hospital system. For more information about how your philanthropic support can make a difference, contact the WakeMed Foundation at (919) 350.7656 or visit foundation.wakemed.org.
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
WakeMed Health & Hospitals, one of the first hospital systems in the country, is a private, not-for-profit health care organization based in Raleigh, N.C. The 870-bed system comprises a network of health care facilities throughout Wake and Johnston Counties, including: a Level I Trauma Center and tertiary referral hospital and rehabilitation hospital in Raleigh, a community hospital in Cary, comprehensive outpatient centers and freestanding emergency departments in North Raleigh and Apex, seven outpatient rehabilitation sites, two skilled-nursing and outpatient facilities, a 100+-physician multispecialty practice, and home health services. The system includes accredited Chest Pain Centers and Joint Commission-certified Stroke Center. Throughout the system, there are an additional 60 beds under construction and 41 newly approved by the state. WakeMed also provides management services for Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC. Centers of excellence include cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, physical rehab, emergency and trauma, orthopaedics, neurosciences, home care and numerous wellness and community outreach programs. WakeMed’s team of 7,000 nurses, technologists and medical support staff and more than 1,000 affiliated physicians serve the residents of North Carolina using the most advanced technologies and facilities to ensure the finest in health care.
