Kids Health Matters
Tag: giving

During this time of isolation, everyone is looking for ways to stay in touch with the people and causes they care about. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be exploring new ways to connect with one another while also staying safe. Learn five easy ways you can support Gillette and create community together, from a distance.

“It’s just so wonderful to watch these children get better. It’s also very rewarding to see the connection that forms between the children and my dogs. They become friends.”

Police officers, postal workers, kids and politicians are drawn to Joe Carr's lemonade stand to raise money for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Joe is a Gillette patient and uses his considerable charm and social media skills in his quest to make sure ALL kids have access to great health care.

The day was Christmas Eve, the year was 2003 and the Ketelhohns were resting and watching a movie in their home near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was an idyllic evening, but their youngest daughter, 8-month-old, Kate, had a slight fever. It was the type of malady that many children experience throughout their development. There was no reason to worry, until there was.

“It’s Matthew’s machine, but communication is a two-way street. I need to know how to use it just as well as him.” – Martha Wilson, Matthew’s mom. Learn why the most important part of this mother-son relationship is his adapted communication device.

On Pedal in Place race day, participants jump on stationary bikes, battle it out with other teams, and race to good health—all while raising funds for kids who have cerebral palsy or other lifelong conditions. Many Gillette families say the adaptive bikes are helpful for their child's physical therapy and emotional well-being.

“I don’t think it would surprise anyone to learn that a lot of children love dogs,” says Emily DeBreto. “While we’ve had volunteers bring in therapeutic dogs at the hospital for comfort, we wanted to get our dogs more involved with the actual functional aspects of the therapy we’re providing.”

"This kid is without a doubt my hero. I am without a doubt his biggest fan," says Ross Carothers of his son, Mikey, who has schizencephaly. Learn how the generosity of donors has supported Mikey's family and how they've given back in return.

Join us at noon, Monday, May 1, as Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare’s favorite expat and former British royal guard, Richard Lett, will be bringing his sailboat to the hospital.

If you want to know how a former guard to the British Royal Family wound up racing his sailboat to help Minnesota children who have disabilities, follow along below.