Dear Friends:
One year ago this month, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic as it swept around the globe, bringing alarm and challenges to virtually every aspect of our lives. We acknowledge the anniversary of this somber milestone in this issue of our newsletter.
Even as we deal with the impact of COVID-19, we are able to celebrate the miracles of health care, and we do so in this issue with a story about 16-month-old Danilia “Amor” Aquino. Danilia, a liver transplant patient, spent 266 days in the pediatric intensive care unit at Holtz Children's Hospital before finally being discharged to return home to Orlando with her family. Her story is a beautiful example of why your support is so important.
We also pay tribute to Abel and Fana Holtz, who have embraced our mission by supporting Jackson Health System and Holtz Children’s Hospital. This extraordinary couple is leading by example and setting the standard for future leaders like Cecilia Florin Veiga and Veronica Puig, who recently became Little Guardian Angels. Cecilia and Veronica are already on a leadership path, demonstrating that true leaders emerge from a combination of innate ability, a passion for learning, and a desire to serve.
Our newsletter arrives during a month of new beginnings – from the start of Daylight Saving Time on March 14 to the first day of spring on March 20. We are grateful that your support remains constant, no matter the season. Thank you, and best wishes for a bountiful spring.
Sincerely,
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Charmaine Gatlin
Co-President & Chief Operating Officer
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Flavia Llizo
Co-President & Chief Development Officer
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A Somber Anniversary
Jackson Began Treating COVID-19 Patients
A Year Ago This Month
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March 19 marks the one-year anniversary of the day that Jackson Health System admitted its first COVID-19-positive patient. Since that day, Jackson and healthcare providers worldwide have confronted the sadness and triumphs of treating COVID-19 patients – making heroic efforts to save lives and often standing in for family members who could not be there to support their loved ones. We pay tribute to the patients who lost their lives to this terrible illness. We also celebrate the recovery of the thousands who received treatment and returned home to the warm embrace of their family and friends. Heartfelt thanks to the countless individuals, organizations and companies that made generous donations of food, personal protective equipment and more to support our efforts throughout the year. We are grateful for your support during this challenging time.
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Supporting Jackson Health Foundation Remains
A Priority For Fana And Abel Holtz – Especially During A Pandemic
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Longstanding Golden Angel Society members Fana and Abel Holtz could easily take a break and rest on their legacy of giving to Jackson Health System and Holtz Children’s Hospital. In 1998, the Holtz family made a donation to become the naming benefactor of Holtz Children’s Hospital, which today is one of the largest children’s hospitals in the southeast United States. Over the years, this generous couple has maintained a level of philanthropic support for Jackson and Holtz Children’s by helping to fund a wide range of projects that benefit our patients. We are especially grateful for their unyielding support over the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has stretched the resources of healthcare organizations around the world. When it became evident that in-person fundraising events would not be possible, Fana and Abel filled the gap by ensuring that fundraising continued during this most challenging time. They inspire us with their commitment to our community’s health and well-being, and we are beyond grateful for their unyielding support. Click here to join Fana and Abel Holtz in supporting patients at Holtz Children’s and throughout Jackson Health System.
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Little Guardian Angels Valentine’s Day Donation |
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Left to right: Veronica Puig and her mother, Diana Puig, Maylen Montoto, Foundation associate director of Community Development, Flavia Llizo, Foundation co-president and chief development officer, members of the Child Life Services team, Cecilia Florin Veiga, and her aunt, Foundation Board Chair Ana VeigaMilton.
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On Valentine’s Day, two of our newest Little Guardian Angels, Cecilia Florin Veiga, and Veronica Puig, along with their sponsors Diana Puig and Foundation Board Chair Ana VeigaMilton, surprised patients at Holtz Children’s Hospital with a gift of 100 adorable teddy bears and colorful tote bags. As an added gesture of thoughtfulness and creativity, Veronica decorated each bag by hand to match the design of the iconic Holtz bear logo. Kind gestures like this go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of patients receiving care at Holtz Children’s. Our sincere gratitude goes out to the Veiga, Milton and Puig families. Thank you so much for this lovely donation. |
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Anonymous Donor Gives $1 Million To
Holtz Children’s Hospital
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Heartfelt thanks to the anonymous donor who made a $1 million contribution to Holtz Children’s Hospital. We are inspired by your kindness, compassion, and generosity.
This gift helps to ensure that Holtz Children’s will continue to advance emerging research, acquire state-of-the-art equipment, and provide high-quality healthcare services for the children in our community.
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Lifesaving Liver Transplant Gives 16-Month-Old Danilia A Second Chance At Life |
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When Danilia “Amor” Aquino was born prematurely at 26 weeks in Orlando on August 26, 2019, she was showing early signs of liver disease. Two months later she was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare, genetic, life-threatening liver disease that only appears in infants. Her only chance to survive was to undergo a liver transplant. In early 2020, Danilia’s family met with Jennifer Garcia, MD, medical director of pediatric transplant services at the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI).
Danilia’s parents instantly connected with Dr. Garcia and the medical team, who had experience with these complex cases at MTI, the largest transplant center in the nation for the second year in a row, and among the top six for pediatric liver transplants. After 266 days in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Holtz Children’s Hospital, the Orlando toddler was finally able to go home. Upon discharge, 16-month-old Danilia received a special surprise visit from Mickey and Minnie Mouse outside of Holtz Children’s – signaling her return to their shared hometown in Orlando.
“She’s our miracle!” said Jennifer Cotto, Danilia’s mother. “We often questioned whether we were in the right place and if we were getting the care we needed, but today proves we were exactly where we needed to be.”
Click here to read the entirety of Danilia’s incredible miracle story.
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In Celebration of Excellence:
March is Child Life Month
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Child Life therapists bring music to the bedside to help comfort a patient at Holtz Children’s Hospital. |
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Each year in March, we pay tribute to Child Life specialists at Holtz Children’s Hospital. This extraordinary group of professionals plays a critical role in patient care and recovery. Being in the hospital, undergoing tests, and receiving treatment can be challenging, especially during these unprecedented times that we all face today – and it’s particularly rough on younger patients. Child Life specialists work with patients and their families to provide comfort and emotional support, making it easier for children to cope with their illness or disease. These dedicated caregivers are professionally certified and trained in child development, pediatric psychological and social support, and therapeutic play. They use music therapy, socialization, and other techniques to make a patient’s hospital stay more comfortable, paving the way for a smoother recovery. |
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Support Jackson Health Foundation with AmazonSmile |
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Simply shop at smile.amazon.com and select Jackson Health Foundation to support us as your favorite charity. Remember, always start at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases, at no cost to you.
How AmazonSmile Generates Donations:
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Tens of millions of products are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages at smile.amazon.com or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app. Remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com) or with AmazonSmile turned ON in the Amazon Shopping app on your mobile phone will generate AmazonSmile donations. Learn more about AmazonSmile.
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Jackson Health Foundation | www.SupportJHF.org
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