Lou and Lois Fedel are dedicated fundraisers and donors. If you’re feeling inspired by their story, learn how you can start your own fundraising efforts here!
Lou and Lois Fedel don’t see themselves as extraordinary donors. “We can’t give a $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 gift, so we do what we can to make a difference,” Lou says.
Yet, for nearly two decades, the Fedels’ support of UPMC Children’s has been anything but ordinary.
Dedicated Fundraisers and Donors
Lou, who has worked at UPMC since 2006, has long been a leader in giving back. A semi-retired IT professional in the health care system’s Revenue Cycle Department, Lou heads his unit’s Walk for Children’s team, helping to raise critical funds for UPMC Children’s greatest needs.
Lou and Lois also make personal contributions to the hospital, with their most recent gift funding snacks for patients and families in the Children’s Hospital Rehabilitation Unit (CHRU). The Mt. Lebanon couple has been investing in UPMC Children’s for a total of nearly 20 years.
A Personal Experience with the Hospital
In 2017, the Fedels experienced UPMC Children’s care firsthand when their daughter, Hannah, underwent scoliosis surgery. “The care at Children’s was amazing!” Lois shares. “No matter what we needed, we received it right away. The nurses and staff went above and beyond.”
“Everyone went out of their way to make us feel comfortable,” Lou says. “I remember I had to step out of Hannah’s room at one point. A maintenance guy saw me there, upset. He said, ‘Don’t worry, Dad, we’ll take good care of her.’ That whole experience with Hannah only cemented our commitment to Children’s.”
A Gift for the Future
In 2022, Lou and Lois decided to memorialize their dedication to UPMC Children’s by making a legacy gift to the hospital. “It was an easy decision,” they say. “Our financial advisor worked directly with UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation to set the whole thing up. They made it so simple.”
Now part of the Jane Holmes Society, a Foundation giving society recognizing those who have planned future gifts through bequests, beneficiaries, or other non-cash gifts, the Fedels continue to give and fundraise, knowing their impact will last for generations.
Commitment that Goes the Distance
With another Walk for Children’s scheduled for June 7, 2025, Lou and Lois are eager to put their fundraising skills to the test once again. They’re also excited about another opportunity to show their support for the hospital and take part in an event that celebrates a cause greater than themselves.
As Lou explains, “We just want to do our part to contribute to an important mission and also leave something behind that continues our love for this exceptional institution.”