Meet Nate

Pittsburgh was in the midst of a summer heat wave. While most people were craving icy drinks or a dip in a pool, 9-year-old Nate was wearing his winter coat. He was sick, shivering, and he couldn’t get warm. His mom, Monica, knew something was very wrong. She rushed him to UPMC Children’s.

The doctors ran numerous tests, considering every possible problem from side effects from his migraine medicine to something more serious. They’re still searching for a definitive diagnosis.

“They’ve kept us in the loop with everything,” Monica says. “They answered questions I didn’t even have.”

In the meantime, the team at UPMC Children’s has been doing everything they can to make both Nate and his mom feel better. Child Life Specialists brought Nate a kit to build a dinosaur out of cardboard bones. He’s been sculpting with clay and doing art projects to pass the time.

As for Monica, she dropped everything to rush to the hospital and arrived with only the clothes on her back. She didn’t expect a longer stay and didn’t have anything she needed. The staff helped her by providing food vouchers and personal items so she could shower and feel refreshed.

Monica encourages everyone who can to support Pittsburgh’s world-class pediatric hospital. She knows the Free Care Fund helps save kids’ lives — especially when families are faced with a medical emergency they couldn’t have planned for.

“Emergencies happen,” she says. “It’s not kids’ fault if their parents can’t afford care. We need to do everything in our power to ensure our children’s health. Knowing that the Free Care Fund exists puts minds at ease.