This Moment:
Put a Child’s Future First
This Moment, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in Foundation history, has finally concluded.
Together, we have raised more than $250 million for patients and families at UPMC Children’s. Your support has profoundly transformed our hospital, the care we provide, and the experience of every child who comes through our doors.
Hear from Foundation president, Rachel Petrucelli, about the impact of This Moment, and what it means for the future of UPMC Children’s.
Meet the Patients and Families of This Moment
Azhaar, 5
Azhaar’s family faced an incredibly difficult journey when she needed a second liver transplant after her first procedure failed. Diagnosed at birth with a life-threatening liver condition, she spent much of her early life in and out of hospitals.
Her mother traveled from South Carolina to UPMC Children’s in Pittsburgh to access specialized care for the complex surgery. Following a successful second transplant, Azhaar recovered well and began to enjoy simple childhood moments like playing and dancing.
Genevieve and Genesis, 2
A high-risk twin pregnancy quickly turned into a race against time for Genevieve and Genesis. Complications in the womb led to an emergency delivery at just 28 weeks, with both babies born extremely small and in need of specialized NICU care.
Over the following months, the twins faced multiple procedures and ongoing health challenges due to their premature arrival. Through it all, their mother leaned on the compassionate support of the care team, who helped guide her through the emotional and physical demands of life in the NICU.
Josh, 18
Josh’s story began when his family noticed he was struggling to catch his breath, which led to a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer, t-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. He underwent intensive treatment at UPMC Children’s, including chemotherapy, and faced numerous complications such as infections and other painful side effects.
Throughout his journey, his family found comfort and reassurance in the compassionate care from his medical team and the additional support services made possible by donors. Despite the many challenges, Josh and his family remained deeply grateful and described UPMC Children’s as “a whole other family” that supported them every step of the way.
Kenny, 4
Kenny’s journey at UPMC Children’s began when she suddenly became critically ill at just 2 years old, prompting an emergency trip to UPMC Children’s where doctors discovered a tumor on her heart. The tumor caused severe complications, including multiple strokes, leaving her on life support and impacting nearly every function of her body.
Despite devastating odds and discussions around end-of-life care, her family held onto hope as her medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize her. Over time, Kenny began to show signs of recovery, defying expectations and demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Miller, 5
A diagnosis before birth set the stage for Miller’s early fight against a rare and serious heart condition. After he was born, he was rushed to UPMC Children’s, where he faced a critical first few months that included heart procedures, complications like an arrhythmia and stroke, and an extended hospital stay. Despite these challenges, Miller underwent multiple successful surgeries that gradually improved his heart function.
After months of treatment and recovery, he was finally able to go home and meet his sister for the first time, marking a major milestone for his family.