1. family and parenting
2. children

OMAHA
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation
Fall 2014
Once Blind, Now He Sees
Two dramatic surgeries restore vision for Iowa boy
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation
“So that all children may have
a better chance to live...”
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION WAS CREATED IN 1983 TO RAISE
AWARENESS AND MANAGE AND DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S PREMIER
PEDIATRIC SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. AS AN ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN, MANY OF THE
SERVICES THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES ARE NOT REIMBURSED.
OMAHA
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| ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation
Contents
Once Blind, Now He Sees
A publication for
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Foundation
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8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 120
Omaha, NE 68114
402.955.6851
www.ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
Fundraising Goal Reached for
Carolyn Scott Rainbow House
EDITOR
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Sarah Weller
Marketing Coordinator
A D M I N I S T R AT I O N
Roger Lewis
Chief Development Officer and Executive Director
Record-Breaking Gala Helps
Wishes Come True
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C H I L D R E N ’ S H O S P I TA L &
M E D I C A L C E N T E R F O U N D AT I O N
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ellen Wright
Chairman
Monster Mash Combines
Fun & Fitness
Dick Worick
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Vice Chairman
Michael Homa
Secretary
Michael Green
Treasurer
Sally English
Give Back through
Your Holiday Giving!
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Investing in Children’s Future
11
On the cover: Jarrod Chada, 6-years-old
Friends Board President
Anthony Anderson
James Buser
Kathy Dessonville
Carolyn Diamond
Jennifer Graber
James Grotrian
Richard W. Kelley
Barrett Knudson
Bob Kula
Stew Larsen
Rodney Markin, M.D.
Barney Marvin
David Nutsch
Michael Robino
Gina Samland
Michael Schilken
Scott Sorenson
T.J. Twit, Jr.
Mark Wiesman
ONCE
BLIND,
NOW
HE SEES
“Worse than legally blind.” That’s how Donny Suh,
M.D., FAAP, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s
Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology, describes the vision
of 5-year-old Jarrod Chada when the two first met
back in June 2014. In his left eye, Jarrod only had
light perception; he could tell if lights were on or off
in a room. With his right eye, he could count fingers,
but only if they were within a foot of his face.
Dr. Suh determined that the boy from Fort Dodge,
Iowa, had congenital cataracts, a hereditary
condition that had progressively worsened since birth.
The lenses in his eyes—which are clear in the typical
eye—were so clouded and opaque that light couldn’t
get back to his retinas. The diagnosis wasn’t an easy
one to hear for Jarrod’s parents, Joe and Jodi, but it
explained a lot.
“He was bumping into things, he couldn’t find
anything and sometimes he’d fall when he walked,”
remembers Jodi Chada. “He played T-ball earlier in
the summer, and his older brother, Jerry, had to go out
on the field to help him and run the bases for him.”
Jarrod’s blindness wasn’t just affecting his everyday
life; it also was damaging his brain.
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| ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
“This isn’t a simple
eye problem, but
a brain problem,”
explains Dr. Suh.
“When light can’t
get through the
lens and the retina
doesn’t receive
a clear image,
it causes brain
atrophy. This
atrophy may be
irreversible if not
corrected at an
early age. Jarrod
is extremely lucky.”
Jarrod at Children’s before surgery on his right eye.
Less than two weeks after his first appointment, Dr. Suh
removed the cataract from Jarrod’s left eye and replaced
it with a clear lens implant specifically for him.
“These are extremely delicate surgeries,” says
Dr. Suh. “Pediatric eye surgery is very different from
adult eye surgery because children’s eyes are so small
and soft. Plus, getting cooperation from a little child
can be a challenge when getting calculations before
surgery or keeping their eyes safe after surgery.”
The Chadas also benefitted from Children’s Carolyn
Scott Rainbow House, a hospitality house that provides
lodging for families of patients who live more than
60 miles away from Omaha.
“It’s a three-hour drive from our home to Children’s, so
it was wonderful to be able to stay at the Rainbow House
the night before surgery and be so close to the hospital,”
says Jodi. “We can’t wait for the new Rainbow House
to open; it looks beautiful from the outside!”
Today, Jarrod’s restored vision is making it possible
for him to be a normal 6-year-old and experience a
clearer, more colorful world. His parents say he’s thriving
in kindergarten, and is now able to read books and
better interact with his family and friends. His confidence
has skyrocketed.
That’s what it’s all about for Dr. Suh and the Ophthalmology
staff at Children’s.
“This is true teamwork,” says Dr. Suh. “We come together
with one common goal: to help kids like Jarrod. It’s not just
about giving them better vision; it’s about helping them
have a better life.”
The day after surgery, vision in Jarrod’s left eye was
dramatically improved.
“When Dr. Suh took off his patch, Jarrod couldn’t stop
smiling,” says mom, Jodi. “He was shocked that he
could finally see. It was an amazing moment we’ll
never forget.”
“That’s the most exhilarating feeling a surgeon, patient
and family can feel,” adds Dr. Suh.
At an August follow-up appointment, vision in Jarrod’s
left eye was 20/20. A month later, Dr. Suh performed
the same life-changing surgery on Jarrod’s right eye.
Just 24 hours after the operation, Jarrod’s vision was
excellent. Today, he can see just as well as any other
child his age.
“There aren’t many doctors who can do this kind of
surgery, so we are so grateful for Dr. Suh and the
pediatric eye team at Children’s,” says Jodi. “Throughout
the process, everyone was so kind and helpful.”
Dr. Donny Suh says Jarrod’s personality is shining through now that his vision
has been corrected.
Fall 2014
5
A Message
from Roger Lewis
The Carolyn Scott Rainbow House has been vitally important to our patient
families for more than 30 years. This home away from home for those living
60 miles or more from Omaha has made it possible for thousands of families
to stay close to their children while they are receiving care at Children’s.
Our medical professionals know how important it is to
the well-being of their patients to have parents and other
family members close by, so Children’s makes staying at
the Rainbow House affordable to families, asking for a
goodwill donation of $10 a night. And true to one of our
guiding principles, we do not charge if a family cannot
afford to pay.
demand in recent years as Children’s has continued
to attract more patients from throughout the Heartland.
The decision was made in 2013 to build a new Carolyn
Scott Rainbow House. The $12.7-million facility will
increase the number of guest rooms available from 31 today
to 56 in the new building, and the amenities in the rooms
and in the public spaces will be a significant improvement.
Carolyn Scott was a member of Children’s Board of
Directors in the early 1980s when the Board considered
opening a “hospitality house” for parents. Mrs. Scott
was passionate about the need to provide this service
to Children’s families. A mother of four, she knew how
important it was for parents to be close to their sick
children. Though she was battling cancer herself at the
time, Mrs. Scott took the lead role in raising money for
the Rainbow House. The first house opened in a renovated
apartment building in 1983, a few months before
Mrs. Scott’s death, and was named in her honor.
The Foundation set a goal to raise $9.7 million in
donated funds to assist in the construction of the new
Rainbow House. The Scott Family made a significant
lead gift to the project, and I am pleased to say that
contributions have exceeded $10 million from more
than 6,000 generous donors.
Fast forward 30 years and Carolyn Scott’s vision for the
Rainbow House has stood the test of time. Enlarged in
2000, the house’s capacity has again been outpaced by
Construction has proceeded well on the new Carolyn
Scott Rainbow House. It is a beautiful building inside
and out. We look forward to welcoming our first guests
to the facility in January and continuing Mrs. Scott’s legacy
for many years to come.
You can read more about the new Carolyn Scott Rainbow
House on page 7. I hope you enjoy this issue of Visions.
Roger Lewis is chief development officer and executive director of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation.
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| ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
Fundraising Goal Reached for
New Carolyn Scott Rainbow House
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s Foundation
is pleased to announce that the fundraising goal of
$9.7 million for the new Carolyn Scott Rainbow House
has been reached. To those who have supported this
project, please accept our sincere gratitude. Our patient
families will surely be grateful when the doors open on
this bigger, better and brighter facility in January 2015.
For those that still wish to participate in making the
house feel more like a home, there are still exciting
opportunities available:
The first is a Housewarming Shower where you can
select and donate household goods to complete each
room in the house. Help us stock the shelves and add
all the finishing touches to our new “home away
from home” for patient families. Our guests will need
everything from silverware and towels to board games.
Please visit www.ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org/
RainbowHouseGiving to print the list of what is needed.
Your monetary gift can be made online or by mail,
and we will do the shopping for you!
Sponsoring children’s
artwork to decorate
the new Rainbow
House is another
way to support this
important project.
More than 200 pieces
of art are needed,and
local children have been hard at work creating masterpieces
that will brighten rooms and spirits. Please consider
sponsoring one or more pieces of art to cover the cost of art
supplies and framing. Each picture will include a recognition
plaque that you can personalize with a message of your
choice. Visit www.ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org/
RainbowHouseGiving to download a form or complete
your gift online.
Thank you for your continued generosity! We look forward
to sharing images of the finished Carolyn Scott Rainbow
House with you in the Winter 2015 edition of Visions.
A rendering of one of the guest rooms in the new Carolyn Scott Rainbow House.
Fall 2014
7
The Midtown Men — four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys — had the audience dancing and singing along.
Record-Breaking Gala Helps Wishes Come True
A crowd of 1,200 guests contributed nearly $600,000 at
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s annual Gala on Nov.
15 at CenturyLink Center Omaha, setting new attendance
and fundraising records. Attendees enjoyed silent and live
auctions, a raffle, dinner and entertainment by The Midtown
Men—four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey
Boys. WOWT’s John Knicely emceed the event.
The 2014 Gala’s theme was “Wishes Really Do Come
True.” Proceeds from the evening will support Children’s
new Carolyn Scott Rainbow House, a hospitality house
for families of children being treated at Children’s who
live 60 miles or more from Omaha.
Children’s Friends Board members along with Foundation
staff plan the Gala each year, but scores of Children’s
employees and community volunteers are crucial in making
the evening a success. Hospital employees created more
than 30 beautiful gift baskets for the silent auction this year.
“We are grateful to the Friends Board leadership,
our hard-working Gala committee and everyone who
worked together to make this year’s Gala so special
and successful,” said Roger Lewis, executive director of
Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation. “I know
the children and families we serve will be thankful, too.”
Honorary chairs were Jim
and Kathy Simpson. Jamie
Friedland and Leslie Mayo
served as the event’s cochairs. Sally English is
the current president of
Children’s Friends Board.
Gala Co-chairs Jamie Friedland
& Leslie Mayo
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| ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
Honorary Chairs
Jim & Kathy Simpson
Carol and Gary A. Perkins, FACHE,
Children’s President & CEO
MONSTER MASH COMBINES FUN & FITNESS
More than 450 runners, walkers, ghouls and boys
participated in the second annual Halloween Monster
Mash 1-mile walk, 5K run and kids’ dash, presented by
Children’s and Suburban Rotary Clubs. $30,000 was
raised to benefit Children’s childhood obesity prevention
programs. Honorary chairs were Dr. Blane McCann,
superintendent of Westside Community Schools, and
Olympic gold medalist bobsledder Curt Tomasevicz.
Miracle Marathon Finishes Strong
Children’s also encouraged
physical activity and good
health this fall with the first-ever
Miracle Marathon, a virtual
fundraising event organized
by Children’s Miracle
Networks Hospitals. Nearly
300 participants ran, walked or moved one
mile per day to support Children’s, raising nearly
$15,000. All funds will support Children’s
childhood obesity prevention programs.
Go Behind the Scenes at Children’s with Scrubs
Get a behind-the-scenes look at pediatric health care by participating in
Children’s Foundation’s Scrubs program on March 11, 2015! The free, half-day
program and tour is designed for business professionals and community leaders.
Individuals who attend the morning event will receive a scrubs top and be
invited to make a philanthropic commitment as a Scrubs Ambassador.
Guests visited Children’s Emergency department
during the Scrubs program in October.
Our objective is to build the Scrubs Ambassadors into a dynamic group of
enthusiastic supporters dedicated to championing pediatric health care at
Children’s through annual contributions and advocacy. Please contact Angela Kros,
Director of Development, at 402.955.6868 or akros@ChildrensOmaha.org
to learn more or sign up for the March 2015 program.
Fall 2014
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Give Back through Your Holiday Giving!
You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you ever participated in Giving Tuesday?
On Dec. 2, 2014 (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving), we encourage you to think of Children’s as you get a head start
on your holiday shopping. Here are some wonderful ways you can give back to patients and families while giving
to the ones you love.
Borsheims Bracelet
Benefits Children’s
Enjoy Great Food
for a Great Cause
Shop AmazonSmile,
Support Children’s
Looking for a
beautiful and
thoughtful holiday
gift? A new
bracelet available
exclusively
at Borsheims benefits
Children’s Hospital & Medical
Center. Mary Jo Pane, the designer
behind the popular Miracle Icons
line, has created the St. Lucy
Bracelet for this special fundraiser.
St. Lucy is the patron saint of
children. Twenty percent of each
$150 bracelet purchased will
be donated to Children’s. To order
yours, visit Borsheims.com and
search “St. Lucy.”
If you’re a fan of Omaha Steaks,
whether for your own enjoyment
or gift giving, take part in Steaks
for Good, a promotion from
Omaha Steaks. Shop for steaks,
burgers, chicken and more online
at www.SteaksforGood.
com/fundraising/charity/
ChildrensOmaha or at any of
Omaha Steaks’ retail stores, and
10 percent of your order will go
back to Children’s. The Steaks
for Good campaign runs through
Dec. 31, 2014.
You’ve heard of Amazon.com—
the online shopping site; but have
you heard of AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and
automatic way for you to support your
favorite charitable organization every
time you shop, at no cost to you.
When you shop at smile.amazon.com,
you’ll find the exact same pricing and
shopping experience as Amazon.com,
with the added bonus that Amazon
will donate a portion of the purchase
price toward Children’s.
On your first visit to AmazonSmile,
please select Children’s Hospital &
Medical Center to receive donations
from eligible purchases before you
begin shopping. The site remembers
your selection, and then every eligible
purchase you make on AmazonSmile
will result in a donation. Thank you,
and happy shopping!
Upcoming Events
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February 21
March 3
April 17
May 11
UNL Dance Marathon
Dm.unl.edu
IHOP National
Pancake Day
IHOPPancakeDay.com
Wine, Women & Shoes
WineWomenandShoes.com/Omaha
Chip In For Kids
Golf Tournament
ChipInOmaha.org
| ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org
Investing in Children’s Future
The Poynter Society recognizes and honors friends of Children’s Hospital
& Medical Center who inform us of their intention to invest in the future
through planned or deferred gift arrangements. In the 1920s, Dr. C.W.M.
Poynter, once dean of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine,
cast the vision to build a children’s hospital, and later partnered with
Omaha World-Herald publisher Henry Doorly to make Children’s a reality
in 1948. To learn more about how to become a member of The Poynter
Society, please contact Beth Greiner, Director of Foundation Administration,
at 402.955.6863 or begreiner@ChildrensOmaha.org.
Thank you to the following Poynter Society members, who help us realize Children’s mission:
“So that all children may have a better chance to live.”
Bennie Abrams
Alex Allison
Alma Vacha Peters
Eunice Anderson
Gail K. Anderson
Olive Anderson
Walter A. Baer
Malcolm Baker
Ralph Barber
Mildred B. Barrett
Barbara M. Bateman
Zella Wenona Bauer
John Becker
Edward and Eva W. Benner
Steve and Kellie Beresh
Mildred V. Best
Alice C. Bieker
Frances Black
Iona M. Bly
Scott and Michelle Boden
Erwin J. Borcher
Richard M. Borcherding
Michael and Sondra Boulton
Ella Bowman
Charles E. Boye
Alfred C. Brehm
Thomas D. Bruce
Evelyn E. Buckley
Marjorie R. Calderon
Lucy Camp
Daniel W. Campbell
Florence M. Carlson
Pamela J. Carlson
Walter Carlson
Elsie Lee Carroll
Marian I. Clark
Charles E. Clausen
Hervey Collins
Glenn E. Copple
Blanche T. Cox
Mary E. Cully
Martha E. Currie
Duane D. Curtin
Kathryn I. Dean
Gladys Deweber
David and Carolyn Diamond
Marjorie L. Dover
Edward Drudik
W. John Duhon
Orville W. Eggert
Wilfred W. Eischeid
Leo A. Ellingson
Rena Engelhaupt
Arthur V. Enholm
Edmund H. Erickson
Edna A. Fagan
Marianne K. Festersen
Harvey M. Ficken
R. A. Finley
Bill and Pam Fleming
Diane and Jere W. Fonda
Esther N. Foner
Pauline K. Fritzemeyer
Arthur G. Funk
Emma R. Gates
Marvin and Lillie Gerdes
Charles A. Gibson
Mamie J. Giesman
Robert Gillock
William M. Goldsmith
Henry Graboski
Margaret D. Grau
Lillian E. Gross
Victor Gustafson
Rudolph J. Habrich
John and Janis Haggstrom
Signe Marie Hanquist
Merna L. Hansberry
Robert M. Harding
Stella M. Harriss
Evelyn Haseloh
Charles W. Hatfield
Cora Hatfield
Fern E. Hay
Rodney Heesacker
David Heese
Harry Heller, Jr.
Fred and Sylvia Hervert
Minnie Heun
Elsie M. Hinz
Ruth H. Hipsley
Bess A. Indra
Louie Janssen
Martha L. Janssen
Henrietta Jensen
Phyllis Jensen
Roberta A. Jensen
Famy Johnson
Mildred K. Johnson
Edna C. Jones
Vivian Anne Jones
Frances K. Jordan
Joseph H. Kenney
Doris Kilgore
Dal W. Kimes
Carl Knori
Leonard Koester
Agnes Kolaczek
Dorothy Kooper
Herman H. Kruse
Frank Kudera
Nick and Rosella Lalich
Everett Landgren
Alta M. Larsen
Myra B. Larsen
Mrs. Paul C. Larsen
Stanley A. Larsen
Inez Lee
Roger and Carol Lewis
LaVone M. Liljedahl
Josie K. Liska
Glen and Ariel Lowrey
Tom and Nancy Lund
Lydia Magnuson
Otto Malmgren
Fred M. Markert
Norval P Marks
Marguerite E. Marshall
Mrs. Atanasia Martinez
Refugio “Jack” and Atanasia
Martinez
Bonniebel R. Martinson
Sharon Marvin Griffin
John and Jean McCorkindale
Mike and Sharon McCracken
Mark McGuire
Paul and Eleanor McIntosh
Gene and Susie Meyer
Vera N. Miles
Josephine T. Millson
Harold and Mildred Morris
John and Marleen Muenster
Elaine M. Murray
Cecile Newbold
Donald Nouzovsky
Rosa B. Obermiller
Henry F. Obermiller
Helen E. Ogle
Ernest R. Olson
Irv and Wanda Omtvedt
Walter J. Palmer
Ernest R. Panwitz
Edward S. Pavlik
Wanda Pease
Edwin Pedersen
Gary and Carol Perkins
Julius Peters
Ralph Petersen
Sophus Petersen
Myrtle G. Peterson
Zelma I. Peterson
Amelia B. Powell
Amanda C. Prehn
Harm G. Quadhamer
William Rabe
Philip I. Reed
Mabel S. Rehm
Henry F. Reichstein
Cecile I. Renander
Edward and Lida Robinson
Kenneth R. Rolf
Alvina D. Rueth
Leona Ruhs
S. Arline Russnogle
Marion L. Sanford
Jeanne Sawyer
Carl Schenzel
James J. Schmidt
Grace Schulte
Bernice Schultz
Dr. Loyd and Shirley Schultz
Daniel J. Schwarz
Vena Sellon
Lettie A. Seymour
H. Bernice Shanklin
Mattie Sheets
Maude Erma Shirley
Suzanne and Michael Shrier
Mary S. Shutt
Manota E. Simon
Ruth F. Skaats
Grace E. Slechta
Nancy Smith
Thomas T. Smith
Raymond K. Stapp
Grace N. Steinbaugh
Helen A. Sterling
Clyde A. Street
Earl O. Streeter
Leonard Sugden
Christia A. Swaney
Hollis E. Taylor
Bertha Towl
Josephine Utts
Ilef Vance
Bessie E. Waters
Esther Weitkamp
Lawrence J. Williams
Ellen and Stavely Wright
George Zurek
Fall 2014
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8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 120
Omaha, NE 68114
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Follow Us!
Support Children’s with Kohl’s Cares Purchases
New Kohl’s Cares merchandise is available at Kohl’s department stores through December.
The following selections cost just $5 each. When you purchase any of the $5 items listed
below from Kohl’s stores in Omaha, Lincoln, Papillion, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Sioux City,
Iowa, net profits from the merchandise will benefit Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s
Healthy Kohl’s Kids program, a year-round effort focused on educating children and families
on healthy eating and fitness habits. Visit HealthyKohlsKids.com for more information.
Children of all ages are sure to enjoy these books and huggable plush animals!
•“The Lion King” book
•“101 Dalmations” book
•“Mickey & Friends” book
•“Dumbo” book
•Simba plush
•Patch plush
•Pluto plush
•Dumbo plush
•“Mickey Mouse & Friends Christmas Favorites” CD
•“Disney: Write-and-Erase, Look and Find” book
•Disney Look and Find Family Fun Puzzle
•Disney tote bag
•“The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook”