Get Involved
This expert care has been built largely on the generous spirit of individuals, businesses and foundations, working together with a common goal — a commitment to children.
There are many ways to get involved in the special things that are happening at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Whether you volunteer your time and talents or make a financial pledge, help from generous community members like you is integral in keeping our hospital moving forward.
One Man's Involvement
On most mornings, Darren Miller takes a cold shower before heading off to work as a relationship manager with PNC. The cold water not only invigorates him for the work day ahead, it’s also part of his training routine.
Later this summer, the Delmont man will be spending 8-12 hours in 55 to 60 degree water fighting off jelly fish and hyperthermia as he attempts to swim across the English Channel and raise money for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
“I like to push myself as hard as I can and since philanthropy has always been a big part of my life, I thought I would combine the two,” Darren said. “God has given me the physical ability to do this and I want to do it for the right reasons. Hopefully, I’ll be able to save a life someday.”
As an active participant in endurance sporting events – he has participated in a 200-mile bicycle race, a 50-mile marathon, and a 24-mile swim within the last year – Darren also finds deep gratification by giving back to the community.
That love of endurance sports and community involvement led him to establish the Forever Fund along with his friend Cathy Cartieri Mehl. The Forever Fund provides financial support for costs incurred by patient families when their child needs cardiothoracic surgery.
“Cathy’s father – Anthony Frank Cartieri – passed away after a battle with open heart surgery, so we established the fund in his honor, and all of the funds are set aside to help needy families pay for those costly surgeries for their young children,” he said.
While heart disease affects every age, Darren said he picked a pediatric program instead of an adult program because children are at the start of their lives and deserve every opportunity to live healthy, active lives.
“Children’s Hospital does important work with patients needing heart surgery and we’re happy to be a part of it,” he said.
Darren’s friend Cathy and her family have agreed to cover his travel and living expenses while he is in England for two weeks. He leaves for Great Britain on July 9 and is scheduled to swim across the Channel on July 18.
The weather, however, will determine which day the swim actually takes place so he must spend two weeks in Great Britain waiting for the swim “window” to open. During rough weather, the waves in the Channel can go as high as seven feet and winds can measure over 25 mph.
The 21-plus mile swim begins at Dover, England and ends on the French coast at Cap Gris Naz.
In addition to plane fare, lodging and meals, Darren’s other expenses include several thousand dollars to register with the Channel Swimming Association as well as to charter a fishing boat with a full crew, a physician, an official swim verifier, and a support person who will shadow his every step – or stroke – as he swims across.
“I’m hoping this swim does two things – raise money for kids and convince people that they are capable of doing more than they think they can,” he said.
Click here to make a donation to the Forever Fund. Select 'Other' and specify 'Forever Fund.'
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