1. family and parenting
2. children

Care that Comforts
Giving Deliberately
Jeffrey Hanson Gifts Children’s Mercy
Hospital with New Artwork
treasures
Fall 2013 | FOR SUPPORTERS OF CHILDREN’S MERCY
One week after Betsy’s kidney transplant, her brother presented Besty and Molly with t-shirts. Molly’s reads: “I gave my little sister a kidney and all I got was this t-shirt” and Betsy’s reads: My big
sis gave me a kidney and all I gave her was this t-shirt.”
Care that Comforts
T
hey thought Betsy was just worn out.
She’d been so busy with theater and
drama her mother, Elizabeth Wendorff, thought
she was extra tired. Sadly, the truth was more
dangerous than mere fatigue.
“When her ankles and face began to swell, I knew
something was really wrong,” Elizabeth shares. Betsy was
just 13 years old and experiencing kidney failure.
“I didn't even know what the word ‘nephrology’ meant,”
jokes Elizabeth. She can be lighthearted today. Since that
time five years ago, Betsy has received a kidney transplant
and will leave for Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Nebr., this
fall.
But when she was in middle school and on dialysis, it was
no laughing matter.
“We had no history of kidney disease in our family,” shares
Elizabeth. “We found out the cause of Betsy's kidney
problems was an autoimmune disease called microscopic
polyangiitis. Before she could receive a transplant, the
doctors had to control the microscopic polyangiitis so it
wouldn't destroy the new kidney.”
For four months, Betsy received hemodialysis onsite at
Children's Mercy, followed by 11 months of home dialysis
administered by her parents. She was on a regimen
of steroids and other drugs to control the microscopic
polyangiitis. In that time, Elizabeth and her husband, John,
were impressed by the care Betsy received at Children's
Mercy.
“We are so blessed to have Children's Mercy in Kansas City,”
she says. “The dialysis unit nurses were a godsend and
Betsy had a whole team of specialists to make sure she
wasn't afraid of what was going on and to help her deal
with her concerns about school, her future and her friends.”
Betsy appreciates the time her doctors spent explaining
everything that was going on with her. “They explained
each step and every option we had open to us,” she says.
“It made making decisions a lot easier.”
When Betsy was strong enough for the transplant, both
her parents and her sister, Molly, were tested to find
out who would be the best donor. While Elizabeth had a
compatibility score of 4/6 and Molly’s was 3/6, Dr. Brad
Warady, Betsy’s physician, had to go with youth in this
case.
“They wanted a younger kidney and that was Molly,” says
Elizabeth.
Molly was married with a two-year old at the time. Since
donating a kidney to her sister, she's gone on to have two
more children.
As for Betsy, Children’s Mercy was there to help her make
another big transition in her life. College.
She attended kidney clinics where she learned how to
take care of her diet, medications and generally begin
to manage everything on her own. Since she'll be on
medication for the rest of her life, this was a critical step in
Betsy’s care.
“She calls in her own refills and will take care of her
monthly labs while she's at school,” says Elizabeth.
“Children's Mercy worked with her college to make sure
everything went smoothly. In nephrology, the kids stay
with Children's Mercy until they’re 21 years old, so we're
grateful for that.”
Elizabeth says there's something special, something
different, about Children's Mercy than other hospitals.
“There's a level of TLC that you don't get everywhere
else,” she explains. “They're committed to making sure
you get the answers you need, and they want to give you
feedback.”
Betsy and Molly a few weeks before Betsy left for her freshman year of college in Nebraska.
colleague in London so Betsy would have someone to call
in case of an emergency.
The Wendorffs plan to get more involved at Children's
Mercy by volunteering in some of the programs that meant
so much to them while Betsy was there.
“There's no more worthy cause to support than caring for
children,” says Elizabeth.
The Division of Pediatric Nephrology provides the highest quality of care
with compassion to children with kidney and urinary tract disorders and
advances their well being by promoting education and research. Our
care and research has helped us earn recognition as one of the top six
nephrology programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Reports.
The multidisciplinary team of specialists offers a comprehensive,
individualized approach to care based on the latest developments in this
field of medicine. Along with seven pediatric nephrologists, the team also
includes nurses, dietitians, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists,
child life specialists and nephrology fellows, all of whom are among the
best in their field and who work closely with colleagues in transplant
surgery, urology and interventional radiology. We are leading the largest
pediatric nephrology research study ever conducted in North America.
Our 1-year and 3-year pediatric kidney transplant graft survival rates are
significantly above the national average and consistently rank among the
highest in the country.
“Knowing Betsy is in the care of such an outstanding team
makes me more comfortable.”
Betsy's team even helped her prepare for the graduation
trip she took to the UK. When she visited Ireland, Scotland,
Wales and England, Dr. Warady shared the name of a
treasures fall 2013 | 3
I
Giving
Deliberately
Ethan Briggs
“
just can't say enough good things about Children's Mercy,” says Kathy
Briggs. Her daughter, Elayna, and son, Ethan, both received care at the
hospital. Elayna was followed for a hole in her heart she was born with,
which fortunately never caused her any problems. It was Ethan's issues
with Crohn's disease that really solidified the Briggs family's relationship
with Children's Mercy.
When Ethan was in the 9th grade, he began experiencing
symptoms associated with Crohn's an inflammatory bowel
disease. He started taking medication to control flare ups
and manage his condition, and had surgery to address an
abscess while a senior in high school.
“Dr. William San Pablo and Ellen Carpenter were just
wonderful,” shares Kathy. “They stuck with us through
everything and went above and beyond.“
The “everything” Kathy describes began when Ethan
decided he wanted to go away for college. A plan she
admittedly wasn't very keen on at the outset.
Ethan went away to Baylor in Waco, Texas, as a freshman,
and Kathy's worst fears were realized. He was hospitalized
three times within the first year.
“I finally just had to bring him home,” says Kathy. “By that
time he was over 18, I didn't know if Children's Mercy
would see him, but I needn't have worried.
“I called and told them about his condition,” she continues.
“They were so compassionate and told me I 'had a history
there.'
“The doctors called ahead to the emergency room and told
me to bring him in.”
Ethan was admitted in April and remained at Children's
Mercy for nearly a month.
“By the time he came home from school in Texas, he
was down to around 100 pounds,” Kathy says. “That's
extremely underweight for a young man nearly six
feet tall.”
While at Children's Mercy, Ethan received Total Parenteral
Nutrition therapy – a way of supplying nutritional needs of
the body while bypassing the digestive system – and gained
his weight back. Incredibly, one of the Gastorenterology
doctors had been on staff at a hospital in Temple, Texas.
He told Kathy about this hospital just 30 miles from Baylor
with a more advanced GI care level. The doctor said Ethan
could go there when he went back to school … which he
did in the fall.
Giving Deliberately
As part of her personal credo of “living what she believes,”
Kathy began going on mission trips to Mexico
in 2010.
“I'm very involved in my church,” Kathy explains. “These
trips took us to some very poor areas in the suburbs of
Juarez. At the time of my first trip there were concerns
about the safety of being in Juarez,” she says. “I began
thinking of my own mortality and doing some very thoughtprovoking reading.”
“I decided that I wanted to give deliberately. To give while
I'm still alive and be very conscious of where my assets are
going.”
Kathy also decided she wanted to “bless and help people
who had blessed and helped her family.”
Children's Mercy was among the organizations she chose
to support. Kathy has designated the hospital as a
charitable beneficiary of her IRA.
“One of my favorite professors once likened our lives to a
pebble thrown into a pond whose waves circle out touching
others until they eventually touch the shore,” Kathy says.
“By giving to Children's Mercy I am casting my pebble out
so that it will result in waves of blessings that will spread
and touch families' lives through Children's Mercy.”
Today, Ethan is just six hours short of completing his
degree in Business. He's specializing in Management of
Information Systems. Kathy takes great satisfaction in
knowing her gift to Children's Mercy will help children and
families who are in the same situation her family was in
not so long ago.
Kathy Briggs was inspired by Randy Alcorn's book "Money, Possessions and Eternity".
“It really is paying it forward,” she says. “So many people
helped me, and I want to be in that chain of caring and
compassion.”
“And you don't have to be a millionaire to make a
difference,” Kathy says. “That's why the IRA option makes
sense for me. It allows me to be responsible — and very
deliberate — about where my contributions will go.”
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Team Clinic provides comprehensive
health care for children and adolescents with IBD, namely Crohn's
Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, in a family-centered environment that
recognizes the physical, emotional, behavioral, financial, and social
needs of patients and families. Children receive the most individualized
level of care, and have a team of providers
who are dedicated fully to making sure
children receive the best care possible.
Patients and families have access to
resources to help in the management
of IBD. The team provides guidance for
transition of patient care from adolescence
to adulthood. Our patients also have access
to ImproveCareNow, a partnership between
more than 30 pediatric gastroenterology
centers. For more information, phone
(816) 234-3708.
treasures fall 2013 | 5
Don't Miss Your
Chance: Make
Tax-Free Gifts
From Your IRA
Today!
Jettie and James Clemens presented a $1.8 million check from
the estate of Jettie’s great-aunt, Eliza Evans Monk, to executive
vice presidents Jo Stueve and Dr. Charles Roberts. Mrs. Monk’s
unrestricted bequest reflected her strong sense of responsibility
to care for others, and she knew that for families with sick or
injured children, her gift would make a difference.
The IRA charitable rollover legislation allows you
to transfer lifetime gifts up to $100,000 using
funds from your individual retirement account (IRA)
without undesirable tax effects. See how your
generosity can make an impact on our children and
their families today!
You may contribute funds this way if:
• You are age 70½ or older at the time of the
gift.
• You transfer up to $100,000 directly from
your IRA. This opportunity applies only to IRAs
and not other types of retirement plans.
• You transfer the funds outright to one or more
qualified charities. The legislation does not
permit direct transfers to charitable trusts,
donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities
or supporting organizations.
• You make your gift by Dec. 31, 2013.
Generous
Gifts of a
Lifetime
Learn more and receive a
complimentary free e-brochure at
www.childrensmercy.org/plannedgiving or call
(816) 346-1300.
The family of Leonard B. and H. Kathleen Wade joined Dr.
Charles Roberts at the dedication of the physical therapy/
occupational therapy clinic at Children’s Mercy Northland that
bears their name. The Wades were inspired to make a significant
bequest because of the care their great-niece RayAnn Borjas
received at Children’s Mercy. With RayAnn are her mother, Robyn
Borjas, and her grandparents, Carol and Clifford Wade. The
Wades believe wholeheartedly in families helping families.
Jeffrey Hanson with Dr. Randall L. O'Donnell, President and CEO, Children's Mercy, and his parents, Hal and Julie Hanson in front of Summer Vacation in the Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
Jeffrey Hanson Gifts
Children’s Mercy with
New Artwork
U
pon first meeting Jeffrey Hanson, you notice his kind smile. You feel at ease in his calm
presence. But underneath that composure lies a talented artist who floods his canvases
with bold colors and textures to support the philanthropic missions about which he’s so
passionate … the unrelenting wit who named the brain tumor slowly robbing him of his vision
“CLOD.”
Jeffrey is the kind of guy who showed up for his radiation
treatment in a tuxedo. He refuses to let challenges get him
down.
Dr. O'Donnell and Jeffrey pictured in front of Playground in Provence.
Before Jeffrey and his family begin discussing the original
paintings he completed for the board room at Children’s
Mercy and the oncology clinic, they reminisce about the
care he received here when he was younger.
Every three months for ten years, he received MRIs
to monitor “CLOD”—the name he gave to the optic
nerve tumor associated with a genetic condition called
Neurofibromatosis. Jeffrey was diagnosed at six years
old. From 2005 to 2006, he received radiation and
chemotherapy treatments because the tumor was causing
severe vision loss.
treasures fall 2013 | 7
It was during that time Jeffrey began painting the note
cards that would segue into his larger works and selling
them in his driveway to raise money for charity. From the
very beginning, Jeffrey has included Children’s Mercy in his
philanthropic efforts.
“When you bring your child to Children’s Mercy, you don’t
have a happy story,” says Jeffrey’s mother, Julie Hanson.
“You’re so frightened and so scared, but they make you feel
like it’s going to be ok. There’s no better place to bring your
child.”
Jeffrey’s father, Hal Hanson, continues, “This could be any
hospital, but it’s the people and the attitude of everyone
here that makes it so special. And what a blessing to have
this wonderful place right at our back door.”
Jeffrey agrees, and says he hopes the art he’s generously
donated to Children’s Mercy helps create an atmosphere
that’s welcoming and hopeful.
“It makes me really happy to know that kids will feel like
they’re in a safe, friendly environment,” he explains.
In 2009, Jeffrey’s Generous HeART Show helped raise
funds for the construction of the Lisa Barth Chapel. Today,
at 19 years old, Jeffrey has a reputation, not only as a
talented artist, but a most generous philanthropic leader.
Through direct contributions and the paintings he’s donated
and auctioned for charity, Jeffrey will have generated an
incredible $1 million in philanthropic support by his 20th
birthday in September 2013.
The new paintings he’s completed for the hospital embody
Jeffrey’s pioneering style—bold, explosive color and intense
texture. The painting in the hospital’s board room is titled
“Playground in Provence.” Jeffrey created it specifically to
blend with the blues and greens already prominent in the
room.
“Summer Vacation,” which is an installation of 30 smaller
individual canvases in the oncology department, each
individually signed by Jeffrey, is more playful.
“Jeffrey had free rein on that one,” his father notes with
pride.
The Hanson family hopes that everyone who sees the
paintings feels the welcoming and loving spirit that is so
alive at Children’s Mercy. They also hope the works and
Jeffrey’s story inspire others to become part of the culture
of giving that sustains the hospital and its important work
in Kansas City.
“We’re so proud to be part of the giving circle that is
created by the people of Kansas City,” Julie says. “There is
such joy in giving back.”
As the conversation drifts back to the paintings, Jeff’s
father explains how Dr. Randall O’Donnell, CEO of
Children’s Mercy Hospital, requested specific colors to
blend with the décor of the board room. As he speaks, a
wry smile begins to spread across Jeffrey’s face.
“Well, the painting isn’t finished till the purple goes on,”
Jeffrey says, proving that the artist will always have the final
word.
Read more about Jeffrey’s story in his new book, Lessons
From CLOD: An Inspiring Story of Art, Philanthropy and
Entrepreneurship. Available at amazon.com.
The Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow
Transplantation provides comprehensive care each year to nearly
2,000 children with childhood cancers, sickle cell disease, hemophilia
and other blood disorders. Our unique case management system pairs
each of our more than 20 board-certified physicians with an advanced
practice nurse or physician assistant and a social worker to provide
comprehensive care to our patients and families. At any given time we
are participating in 80-100 research trials, including those from the
Children’s Oncology Group and the Pediatric Oncology Experimental
Therapeutics Investigators Consortium. Our survival rates are frequently
above national averages. In 2012, we once again received accreditation
from American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, a recognition
of hospitals that meet the highest standards for cancer care. For more
information, phone (816) 234-3265.
Access to Happy,
Healthy Childhoods
Because of You
The last 20 years have been a time of remarkable growth
at Children’s Mercy. Admissions have more than doubled,
surgical procedures have tripled, and outpatient visits have
surged 177 percent.
We see this rapidly growing need for our care as a
challenge and an opportunity. As the largest safety-net
provider of pediatric care in Kansas City, we want to offer
access to all the children of our region—to be there when
and where they need us.
And so, beginning in 2007, we asked our devoted friends
to embark on an expansion unprecedented in our 115-year
history. You answered the call with equally unprecedented
generosity. Children’s Mercy’s Healthier Ever After
campaign has raised $161 million dollars. Thank you!
The more you give the more good we can do, and together
we have accomplished a great deal:
• In October 2012 Children’s Mercy East opened, a new
55,000-square-foot facility complete with Urgent Care
Center in Independence, Mo. Since opening, this location
has seen more than 20,000 visits! Children’s Mercy
East completes our “circle of care” around the Kansas
City metropolitan area, leaving no part of the region
underserved.
• On December 12, 2012 leading annual donors and
major campaign contributors came together to dedicate
the Elizabeth Ann Hall Tower. The tower will improve
emergency room wait times and surgery room scheduling;
aid at-risk babies in need of immediate care after delivery;
and offer more space, services and amenities for families
who call our hospital home for days, weeks and even
months.
• On April 29, 2013, dear friends, family and donors
gathered to dedicate the Lisa Barth Chapel, a space
where all are welcome. This space has rapidly become a
quiet refuge for patients, families and staff. Visitors are
welcome to mediate, pray and reflect in the chapel or
enjoy the peaceful Nancy Nutter Moore Garden.
• In January 2013, we dedicated our Children’s Mercy
Wichita Specialty Clinics space on the campus of
Wesley Medical Center. The clinic offers top-rated care in
endocrinology/diabetes, nephrology, and via an innovative
telemedicine approach, pediatric allergies.
Together, we’ve done all this while remaining accessible
to our region’s children whatever their economic
circumstances, providing more and more care without
payment. Nothing feels better than helping your neighbors
and your community. All of this, and much more has been
made possible because of you and your support of the
Healthier Ever After Campaign. We are grateful to you!
Children's Mercy donors and dignitaries at the dedication of Children's Mercy East.
treasures fall 2013 | 9
Donors Were on Fire for
Red Hot Night
This past February 2, generous donors contributed more than $1 million to support Children’s Mercy at the annual Red Hot
Night Gala, hosted by the Hands and Hearts for Children Auxiliary and attended by about 1,350 guests at the Kansas City
Convention Center Grand Ballroom. Guests were treated to an evening of cocktails, gourmet dinner, exciting live auction
and dancing to live entertainment by The Party Crashers.
The success of Red Hot Night and our mission depends on
amazing donors and volunteers like this past year’s Event
Co-Chairs Joe Gregg and Tracy Brennan, and Honorary CoChairs Pat and Beth McCown and Dave and Beth Fowler.
Thank you!
Proceeds from this year’s event benefitted Children’s Mercy
Hospitals and Clinics’ mission to provide access to care for
all children. It was a fantastic evening thanks to you and
we hope you’ll join us next year on February 8, 2014. For
more information, visit www.redhotnight.org.
2013 Red Hot Night Leadership: Honorary Co-Chairs Dave and Beth Fowler, Event Co-Chairs
Joe Gregg and Tracy Brennan, Honorary Co-Chairs Beth and Pat McCown
Photo by Nikki Griffith
(Front row) Laura Twyman, Ellen Murphy, Kristin Malfer, and Amber Brown (back row)
LeAnn Reid and Jami Howe
Photo by Nikki Griffith
treasures fall 2013 | 10
Thanks to
You, Big
Slick was
a Big Deal
Celebrity hosts Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle and Paul Rudd with Children’s Mercy oncology
patient Braysen Butter before Braysen threw out the opening pitch of the Big Slick Celebrity
Wiffle Ball Game.
Photo by Jon McKee
We have a saying at Children’s Mercy, “kids come first”
and we will do almost anything for our kids including being
on stage and spoofed by three of the most talented and
hilarious comedians in the country. Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd
and Jason Sudeikis (and a slew of their celebrity pals)
were back in town for the 4th Annual Big Slick Celebrity
Weekend to glove, gamble and give! And what a weekend
it was, raising $625,000; it truly was a big deal!
Our homegrown talent shined the spotlight on Children’s
Mercy, visiting patients and families, playing games, and
raising money, never taking focus off the real celebrities,
our kids.
Big Slick Co-Chairs and celebrity hosts: Mark and Julie McKee, Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd, Gloria Rudd, Kathy Sudeikis, Jason Sudeikis, Dan Sudeikis.
Photo by Julie Green
Kudos
Fall 2013
The spring opening of Children’s Mercy newest regional
center in Wichita, Kansas, was celebrated on June 7 at the
beautiful Wichita home of Priscilla and Gerry O'Shaughnessy.
The reception was hosted by the O'Shaughnessys, along
with Paula and Barry Downing also of Wichita and Mindy and
John Sutherland of Andover, Kansas.
Above: Chapman Hodges, 7 years old, and his friends
organized “The Chap Band’s Fundraiser Yard Sale” and
raised more than $500 to purchase toys for the patients
and families at Children’s Mercy.
Below: DEMDACO employees with two child life staff
members before the "sale" DEMDACO hosted. DEMDACO
donated product for our kiddos to "buy" for Christmas
presents. It was a fantastic event where the kids could shop
for what they wanted and pay with the play money. The kids
then got to wrap the presents and make cards.
Above: Dr. Charlie Roberts with Priscilla and
Gerry O'Shaughnessy
Below: John and Mindy Sutherland
Below: Employees from Ferrell Capital took time out
of their day to provide and serve lunch to families at
Children’s Mercy.
Above: Held in March, the Third Annual Alexander
James Beverly Texas Hold-Em Tournament raised
$5,000 for critical care services at Children’s Mercy.
Below: The KC Century Bike Ride rolled through Kansas
City and by Children’s Mercy for the first time this year,
raising funds to support pediatric cancer research at
Children’s Mercy.
Above: The Annual Dominic L. Passantino Memorial
Golf Tournament on June 9 welcomed more than 250
participants to the golf course and raised more than
$40,000 for the Burn and Trauma Unit at Children’s Mercy.
treasures fall 2013 | 13
KudosContinued
Below: 260 medals from Burns & McDonnell employees were
donated to Child Life to help patients celebrate milestones in
treatment.
Below: Vickie and David Garrett along with Janet Abbey
worked with Chillicothe Middle School students to collect
more than 1,000 boxes of markers and crayons to donate to
Children’s Mercy
Above: Susan Lordi (Willow artist) did a rare signing event
for Naomi’s Hallmark. A portion of the proceeds from the
sales of Willow during this time are designated to Children’s
Mercy. Susan was instrumental in the selection of the
art for the Lisa Barth Chapel. Willow is distributed by
DEMDACO, another awesome donor to Children’s Mercy.
Below: Kristin Malfer and Associates of Reece Nichols
made a generous commitment to give a portion of each
home sale back to Children’s Mercy. The team came out
to Children’s Mercy South to see their recognition plaque,
located in the entertainment corner of the Tom Watson
Emergency Department.
Below: Hoops 4 Hope is a basketball tournament that benefits
our Oncology Department. Held on November 9-11, 2012 at
Blue Valley Southwest and organized completely by students and
Dr. Chris Jenson, the tournament raised $3,750.
Above: Choice Solutions owner and CEO, Jim
Steinlage, and his wife Janice, along with Choice
employees, volunteered for a Wednesday Night
Live session with patients. Choice Solutions
holds an annual golf tournament and the
mulligan proceeds generously support the Child
Life Department. They raised 45% more this year
than last year!
Below: Representing Children’s Mercy
Planned Giving Council, John Keech, Mark
Vlasic and Jim Cole present $10,675 raised
from their annual appeal to Melissa Pulis,
assistant director for Child Life, for the
Clothing Room which provides clothing to
patients and families in need.
Above: Jay and Marianne Rohde presented a check for $112,500, the
generous first time gift from The Pat and Gil Clements Foundation to
Dr. Stephen Kingsmore and Dr. Sarah Soden to support the STAT-Seq
equipment upgrade for the nationally recognized Center for Pediatric
Genomic Medicine.
treasures fall 2013 | 15
Editor’s Note: Treasures is a publication for individuals who donate time or money to Children’s Mercy. Please forward
announcements, ideas for articles or other information in writing to Children’s Mercy, Resource Development, 2401 Gillham
Road, Kansas City, MO, 64108. Include your name, address and telephone number. The editor may alter submissions for clarity,
length and style. Children’s Mercy is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and a United Way agency. If you would like
to make a gift to the hospital or want more information, call Resource Development at (816) 346-1300.
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RED HOT NIGHT SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Honorary Co-chairs Dave and Mikel Flickinger and Kevin and Stacie Needham
www.redhotnight.org