A little about Jerry's Heart Racers:

Here we are in our 16^th year of climbing for Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Step Up for Kids, my heart is overflowing with pride for all that our Jerry’s Heart Racers team has accomplished.

What has become a way to help sick kiddos across the globe started, for me, with one kiddo – mine. My Jerry.

Jerry had a harder start to life than most can imagine and, 18 years later, those struggles continue. But the only thing that matters in that sentence is “18 years later!” 18 years later and I still wake up every morning to see his smiling face. There is only one reason I get to say that and that is Lurie Children’s Hospital. Jer is here because they were there. 5 heart surgeries, 100s of tests and scans, dozens of nurses and doctors made sure that Jerry always made it back home.

Our story is not unique. That’s what Lurie’s does every day for kids all over the world. This is why we climb - to help kiddos and families that share this story. So that more families get to 18 years… and beyond.

Kristen Nowak

As a nonprofit hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago depends on donations to provide a healthier future for every child. Your gifts can help fuel life-saving research, comfort kids during challenging procedures and provide access to world-class care for families in need.

I hope you’ll help me reach my goal in support of the patients and families at Lurie Children’s.

Here’s how your donations can make a difference:

$100 is enough help make a child’s hospital stay a more positive experience with activities, supplies and toys.

$250 can provide patients with the support they need to thrive after lengthy hospital stays.

$500 supports clinical trials to help discover new or more effective treatment options.

$1000 means we can train the next generation of specialists.

All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged by Lurie Children’s Foundation.

On behalf of the patients and families of Lurie Children’s, thank you for your support!