Our Friends - Glennon Magazine

Kurt Warner earns his living on football fields across the United States, directing the lightning-fast St. Louis Rams offense before millions of football fans while evading crushing tackles from the biggest hulks in professional sports.
When the Super Bowl-winning quarterback is out of uniform, he and wife Brenda enjoy quieter, gentler things — their own children and thousands of other young people who are touched by the charitable causes supported by their First Things First Foundation.

SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is one of the beneficiaries of the Warner family’s interest in community service. Kurt and Brenda often pay private visits to children who are patients in the Bob Costas Cancer Center at the hospital.

The Warners distribute gifts to children through a program called “Basket of Hope” that was started by Angela Brunette. Her daughter, Christina, was seven years old when she was successfully treated at Glennon for a rare form of bone cancer in 1995. The baskets contain Bibles, cassettes, toys, games, hats and stuffed animals.

“The kids love it when they come,” said Megan McManus, a child life specialist at Glennon. “The kids get to have their pictures taken with the Warners and get autographs. When they come in for a function in the Costas Center, they stay with the kids until the event is over and then go up on the floors to visit other patients.”

The Warners will make a lasting gift to Glennon’s patients through “Warner’s Corner,” a recreation area for adolescents that will be built in the hospital’s new patient care wing. It will include a game arcade, Internet access, reading materials and video movies and offer patients and their families an oasis of fun during breaks in their treatment regimens. The wing will be opened this August.

Warner often credits his religious faith for giving him the tenacity to pursue his goal of playing professional football and following that dream all the way to the Super Bowl. His faith also guides his devotion to the children in his community.

“Before accepting Jesus as my Lord I lived my life for me and only me. I never asked God what he wanted for my life. I was only living for what I wanted. When I was 25 years old, I asked Jesus to come into my life and show me His way. He did! Jesus became first in my life and a great change took place,” he said.

“Children battling life-threatening diseases and debilitating injuries must spend countless hours in hospitals with doctors and therapists. As a football family, we understand the importance of teamwork in turning dreams into realities,” said Brenda. “We are proud to be on the team with Cardinal Glennon, helping to care for children and their families.”

If you would like more information on ways that you may be a friend of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, please call the Office of Development at 314.577.5605 or 800.269.0552. You also may e-mail us at info@glennon.org. All inquiries will remain confidential.