I will be climbing 80 floors of the Chicago Aon Center to support Lurie Children's Hospital in our annual Aon Step Up for Kids Event. Please learn more about the program and why I show up with our James Hardie Team to this fun and impactful event every year!

Contributing to Step Up for Kids funds the Division of Family Services at Lurie Children's Hospital. Your support allows children and their families to receive holistic support throughout their care, providing a broad array of programs, activities, and spaces designed to promote healing and recovery for children. This division also helps families navigate emotional, social, educational, and spiritual challenges during hospitilization and recovery.

Funding programs at Lurie Children's Hospital directly shapes how a child experiences what is often one of the most frightening and emotional periods of their lives. Support for these services such as child life specialists, family support teams, creative and therapeutic activities, and emotional counseling helps children understand what is happening to them, reduces fear and anxiety, and restores a sense of control during treatment and recovery. These programs ensure that recovery at Lurie Children's addresses the whole child, not just the illness.

Almost 100% of inpatient families at Lurie Children’s rely on these services, and they are almost entirely funded by philanthropy. I appreciate any contribution you are able to make whether towards my fundraising or others. I encourage you to learn more about Lurie's and the impact they are making with these types of programs. https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/patients-visitors/meet-your-care-team/

Thank you for visiting my page and for considering to help support the Division of Family Services. 

Every contribution matters because progress is built from collective action. By giving, you become a part of a shared commitment and community giving children and their families strength, comfort, and hope when they need it most. 

- Elliott

Here are some examples of how your donations can make a difference:

$50 can help supply crayons, paper, paint and other arts and crafts supplies to give patients opportunities for creativity and engagement.

$100 will create sensory kits stocked with items to help support and calm patients with disabilities and sensory or mental health issues who may have more difficulty coping with the hospital environment.

$500 can purchase iPads to facilitate virtual visits between patients and family members who are not able to come to the hospital.

$1000 can purchase 10 adaptive communication toys for patients to take home.

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