On Tuesday, October 3, we are rolling out the red carpet for our 2017 Carolinas HealthCare System Young Ambassadors, a group of dedicated youth fundraisers who have personally raised or contributed a collective total of more than $37,000 to support Carolinas HealthCare System patient programs, healthcare services, and clinical research, all of which helps CHS achieve its mission: to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all.
Each summer, the Levine Jewish Community Center partners with Carolinas HealthCare Foundation to raise funds for in-patient pediatric rehabilitation programs at Levine Children’s Hospital and an outpatient rehabilitation program at Carolinas Rehabilitation called the Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program, through a youth fundraising triathlon. In 2017, youth triathlete Zachary Althofer (pictured top left) was among the top 3 fundraising champions for the event, personally raising $1,530 to support kids and youth who benefit from pediatric rehabilitation programs at CHS. Swimming, biking, and running alongside Zachary was the top fundraising champion for the Levine JCC Kids Triathlon, Mary Cate Kiser (pictured top right), who raised $2,560 to support this worthy cause.
A group of four friends with an entrepreneurial spirit – Mindy, Molly, Sedlee, and Tatum – crafted their way into our hearts with their unique jewelry creations. Beaded necklaces, rings, and bracelets were handcrafted by the talented tweens and sold during an Ivivva trunk show to support patients and families at Levine Children’s Hospital.
As part of her sixth-grade community service project, Dillen Chandler chose to empower individuals fighting cancer at CHS. Through her own research and by interviewing cancer survivors, Dillen created a cookbook using recipes that contain ingredients well-documented as having natural cancer preventative nutrients. Most importantly, through online sales of her cookbooks, Dillen raised $1,475 to benefit the Carolinas Pancreatic Cancer Fund at CHS.
Two brothers, Dylan and Ian Hari, took advantage of a unique opportunity – the PGA Championship traffic – and turned it into an opportunity for philanthropy. The two set up a bottled water stand in their busy neighborhood, raising nearly $50 to support Levine Children’s Hospital.
Giving back can become a path through times of grief. Nadia Kessel experienced this first-hand when she responded to the loss of a young family member by giving back to Levine Children’s Hospital. 
By her side was Nadia’s close friend, Morgan Butler. Together, they went door to door to help raise funds for Levine Children’s Hospital, demonstrating how philanthropy can begin, at any age, as a means of healing.
6th grader Malkiah Morris has first-hand knowledge of just how important donations are to patients at Levine Children’s Hospital. A graduate of the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she was treated after being born with respiratory complications, Malkiah wanted to give back to the hospital that helped to save her life. Along with the help of generous friends and family members, Malkiah made and sold homemade cupcakes, raising $210 to support Levine Children’s Hospital.
A Charlotte Catholic High School junior, Mitchell Salvino continues to carry the torch of the “Cougars 4 a Cure”, a family organized fundraising effort that has turned into a school-wide fundraising event, raising over $100,000 for bladder cancer research in just four years. With the help of Charlotte Catholic basketball players, coaching staff, students, and school leaders, Mitchell and his fellow Cougars this year raised $32,000 for the Carolinas Bladder Cancer Fund at Levine Cancer Institute. The fundraising event was founded in honor of his mother, Denise, a survivor of bladder cancer.
Special recognition goes to Speedway Miracle Child: Jayden Moore
Corporate partners of Children’s Miracle Network, of which Levine Children’s Hospital is a part, often celebrate children whose miracle stories have touched their employees’ hearts in a special way. For Speedway gas stations, that child was Levine Children’s NICU graduate, Jayden Moore. After surviving his premature birth at Levine Children’s Hospital, and tackling numerous medical obstacles he faced in his first few years of life, today, 13-year-old Jayden is thriving, thanks in large part to his care teams at Levine Children’s Hospital. Jayden was selected as the Speedway Miracle Child of the year by Speedway, and as such, enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Final Four basketball tournament. We are so thankful for former patients, like Jayden, who inspire generosity in the hearts and minds of Levine Children’s supporters. Also pictured: Jayden’s mother, Yolando, a Carolinas HealthCare System teammate and supporter of CMN through the CHS Gives campaign.
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