SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center loses a champion for kids with Jason Motte’s move to the Chicago Cubs

ST. LOUIS (December 16, 2014) – Doctors, nurses, patients and caregivers at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center are saddened to learn about the departure of a fan favorite leaving the St. Louis Cardinals. News of Jason Motte’s move to the Chicago Cubs spread quickly today through the medical center as the right handed pitcher and close friend of Cardinal Glennon heads to the Windy City.

Motte, co-chair of Homers for Health/K’s for Kids, joined the medical center’s program in 2014, when he and teammate Adam Wainwright challenged Matt Holliday and Allen Craig in a little friendly competition against the pitchers and the hitters.

“We are deeply grateful to Jason and his wife Caitlin, for all they have done for the kids of Cardinal Glennon,” said Dan Buck, vice president of philanthropy at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. “We’ve been touched by their dedication and generous hearts both on and off the field, through their commitment to our Homers for Health Game Shows, Home Run Derby Championships and much more.”

In addition to working on the program, the Motte’s became personal friends with many patients of the hospital and their families, including Brandt Ballenger, who passed away in 2013 at the age of nine. They visited Brandt several times during his illness and invited him to join him in circling the warning track at Busch Stadium on opening day the year of his passing.

To date more than $1.7 million has been raised for Homers for Health, with contributions providing support to enhance critical departments and programs, including launching Cardinal Glennon Sports Care, the medical center’s injury prevention program for young athletes.

In 2014, Matt Holliday and Allen Craig led as co-chairs for the hitters, while Jason Motte and Adam Wainwright served as co-chairs for the pitchers. This year, pledges have come in from 38 states, Washington, D.C. and Poland.