MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
Caring for Kids - The Carrie Martin Fund, a dedicated volunteer branch of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, focuses on enriching the lives of pediatric patients and their families through essential resources for clinical care, education, and research.
Our fundraising efforts have been impactful, providing opportunities for teens with cancer to attend retreats, supporting children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to experience summer camp, advancing diabetes research, and enhancing the professional development of nurses and physicians.
Additionally, we proudly support the “Beads of Courage” program, which celebrates the bravery of young patients undergoing treatments. Inspired by our experiences at the Children’s Hospital and the joy our grandchildren bring us, we are committed to aiding families facing challenging health journeys, driven by a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to give back to those in need.
Your generosity is appreciated. You are making a difference in the lives of children.
100% of funds raised by Caring for Kids - The Carrie Martin Fund go to support patients at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
In accordance with the Foundation’s by-laws, one-half of all new money raised and earnings of the fund are distributed annually. Other money raised is deposited to the Foundation to build earnings for distribution.
Each year, the availability of the Caring for Kids fund is advertised throughout the hospital. A voluntary advisory committee reviews the list of requests and determines the distribution of the funds. The grants impact the plight of patients and their families.
Since being established, Caring for Kids - The Carrie Martin Fund grants have provided support to various initiatives and needs within the hospital.
The following are some examples of how this Foundation support has been given:
Granted to the Down Syndrome Center were funds to produce podcasts and the necessary recording equipment to host these shows. 100 valuable episodes to address the concerns and questions of Down Syndrome families.
Support to the Hematology/Oncology Department to allow cancer patients involvement with "Connecting Champions". This Pittsburgh based group connects patients with mentors from 60+ fields, (Paleontologists, Engineers, Attorneys, Train Conductors, Police officers, etc.)
Funding provided to the NICU to purchase Nasco Lifeform Special Needs Infant Manikins. These devices support parents who have infants with complex medical and surgical conditions requiring home ventilators or medical devices.
Funds were given to the Pediatric Cardiology Department to purchase grip devices used during the process of cardiac imaging.
Caring for Kids underwrote the cost of Pediatric Pulmonary Fellows to attend advanced bronchoscopy training. Faculty members from around the U.S. serve as trainers. The course is held at Cincinnati Children's Hospital (To date have sponsored 18 fellows)
Funding to support the building of a new Pediatric Cancer Research Program focused on identifying targeted therapies for the treatment of B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (Dr. Lisa O'Maher)
Underwrote the cost of a mobile app that contains the UPMC Children Division Nephrology Handbook. This approach allows for easier updates and availability for applications to patient care.
Funding to the Allergy and Immunology Department to utilize Whole Exome Sequencing (WES). This diagnostic blood analysis can look at thousands of genes with hope of finding an exact cause for a patient's often baffling constellation of symptoms.
Provided to the Department of Pediatric Surgery the design and construction of a "Distraction" surgical room. (This project dedicated to the memory of Jim Johnston).
As a tribute to leading pediatric oncology expert Dr. Albo, the cost of "Support of Teens" weekend was provided. This weekend excursion was a benefit to teenage cancer patients.
The NICU maintains "The Bereavement Program" for families experiencing the loss of a baby on the unit. A simple silver ring is placed with the baby while they pass. The ring is sent home with the family to be kept, perhaps as a necklace, to have close when they are missed the most. Caring for Kids provides funding to maintain this program.
The Child Life Department has received funding on several occasions to maintain "All Purpose Rooms for patients on each floor of the hospital.
Funding to provide transportation of patients to "Camp JRA" has been provided by "Caring for Kids." These subsidies were granted to the Department of Rheumatology.
Featured in the Post Gazette, Tribune Review and various local TV Newscasts, the "Beads of Courage" program has captured national attention for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Pediatric patients are awarded beads (necklace or bracelet) as they demonstrate courage in dealing with their therapies or treatments. "Caring for Kids" has sponsored the cost of this program.
Granted to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department payment for their Adolescent/Young Adult Oncology Weekend Retreats.
Caring for Kids has paid the tuition expenses allowing for PICU nurses to attend the "National Teaching Unit." This training allows these Children's Hospital professionals to remain at the cutting edge of infant care.
A request to underwrite the cost of equipment purchase was granted to the Department of Allergy and Immunology. Caring for Kids funds allowed for the acquisition of a "Rhinolaryngoscope."
The Department of Pulmonology/Medicine received funds to establish their annual Memorial Lecture Series. Caring for Kids provides support for this program that gives a forum for visiting professors to present the latest knowledge and techniques in the science of pulmonary medicine.
Caring for Kids provided support to the Department of Emergency Medicine. Funds were given to purchase virtual reality equipment used with the treatment of emergency room patients.
To the Department of Gastroenterology Transplant Surgery, funds were awarded to purchase bilirubin beds.
Funding from the Caring for Kids trust supported the purchase of a BioRad Thermal Cycler. These awarded monies were given to the Department of Neurological Surgery.
The Luminex company produces a Vein Viewer device to assist in the location of veins in infants. The Department of Radiology purchased the Vein Finding equipment with funds from the Caring for Kids organization
Funds were granted to the Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine to acquire IDx Retinal Scanning equipment.
To the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology funds were granted to support the first "National Cancer Survivors Day — A Celebration of Life." The event was attended by hundreds of pediatric cancer survivors. The event was held at Kennywood Park.
The Department of Newborn Medicine purchased Amplitude Integrated EEG units used to assist neonatologists when monitoring cerebral functions. The cost of these units was underwritten by the Caring for Kids Trust.
Funding was given to the Cardiology Department to purchase the training robot "Surgical Sam". This advanced training system supports education for the Critical Care Units (CICU, PICU & EDU) Cardiothoracic surgeons, (Cardiovascular operating room) and the perfusion and ECMO teams.
The unit of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery purchased cardiac animation programs and heart defect teaching programs. These tools depict for patients and their families the child's heart defect and the anticipated surgical process to remedy the situation. Funding for these assets was provided by 'Caring for Kids.
Children's Hospital completes over 3,500 endoscopies per year to diagnose and treat patients with GI illnesses or disease. 'Caring for Kids' provided funds to purchase central sterile processing equipment to support these efforts.
Caring for Kids' granted funding to the Hematology/Oncology Department to toestablish a central equipment hub. The community use of this equipment will support research efforts and active patient care in the Hematology/Oncology unit.
The special genetics lab received 'Caring for Kids' funding to purchase analytic balance scale technology. This equipment provides precise testing and accurate diagnosis for children with genetic disorders.
Caring for Kids' granted money to support the emergency access program. An integral part of the cardiology care unit, this program assists families and patients who are rushed to the hospital on an emergency basis.
The Heart Warrior Bear Program is a collaboration between UPMC/Magee Hospital and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Each year, some 350+ babies born at Magee are rushed to Children's Hospital for cardiac surgery. 'Caring for Kids' funds this initiative which supports the needs of these families and patients.
Funds have been granted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit to finalize their research and produce a scientific illustrator. This initiative supports the pediatric doctors who implant and care for patients who receive external cardiac assist devices.
Over the years, the Caring for Kids group has provided funds to support the needs of patients and their families. These children remain in our thoughts and prayers ... Tara, Katie, Scott, Grace, Gianna, Elizabeth, Chelsea, Cassidy, Joel, Morgan, Ryland, Beverly, Lucy, Sam, Candace, Connor, Sandra, Billy, and others.