Every patient has a story to share.
By Hope Petersen
Every patient has a story. At least that is a strong belief shared between Laura and Tommy Craddick, the chairpersons of this year’s Dell Children’s Gala.
“This year’s theme is a tribute to the individual patient,” Laura Craddick explains. “Each patient has a story and we want to share those stories.”
The Craddicks understand the value of Dell Children’s services. Several years ago, a family friend was involved in a boating accident. Their 4-year-old son suffered serious head injuries and spent several months hospitalized at Dell Children’s.
“That’s when we knew we had to get involved,” Laura explains. “Our passion comes from our friends’ tragedies.”
Dell Children’s Center of Austin is one of only 17 Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in the U.S. Servicing a 46-county area with more than 142,000 patient visits per year, Dell Children’s provides expert patient-centered attention at an award-winning LEED Platinum Facility.
“It takes a community to build a hospital,” Laura explains. “We want people to get out there and get involved.”
There are dozens of avenues available to those who want to help. Most recently, Laura helped to establish the Kendra Scott for Kids Collection, a jewelry collection with 100 percent of proceeds going to the hospital. Participants can also join a raffle or purchase a Miracle Book. Launched at the gala, the book will feature more than 300 pages of friends and supporters of the Dell Children’s Hospital. People can also volunteer their time and energy toward helping children in need. In 2011, more than 670 people volunteered at Dell Children’s. In 1997, there were only six.
“That’s what we want to emphasize: community involvement,” Laura says. “Without the outstanding support of the Austin community, this hospital would not exist.”
The gala is all about the patients. Of course, it’s also about the work of the Dell Children’s Hospital.
“When our friends’ son was hurt, we were amazed by the support shown by the doctors, the staff, everybody at Dell Children’s,” she says. “They really work hard to help patients and make sure they each receive the specialized attention they need.”
Dell Children’s Gala 2014
Jan. 25, Austin Convention Center Grand Ballroom, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Members of the Dell Children’s Council and the Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas will host the Dell Children’s Gala, which will be co-chaired by Laura and Tommy Craddick. Proceeds from the gala will provide $1 million toward the hospital’s greatest areas of need. Funds raised this year will go toward building a third bed tower for the facility, which will allow even more children to receive around-the-clock therapy. The event will be a night of dancing, dining and stories. Tickets and sponsorships for the gala can be purchased online. Individual tickets to the gala are $500, and sponsorships begin at $2,500. Visit childrensaustin.org/cmcf/gala-2013 to purchase tickets or find out about more ways to get involved.
