Matt Holliday announces Matt Carpenter as new chairman of Homers for Health at Holliday’s Heroes dinner

Matt Carpenter is named Chairman of Homers for Health

Program has raised more than $3.7 million for
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in five years

Matt and Leslee Holliday at the 2017 Holliday's Heroes Event

Matt and Leslee Holliday

ST. LOUIS, MO (January 17, 2017) – At Monday’s annual Holliday’s Heroes dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, celebrating the highest donors and sponsors for Homers for Health, Matt Holliday announced that Matt Carpenter would fulfill his role as Chairman of the program. Trevor Rosenthal and Adam Wainwright will return as well, representing the pitchers with K’s for Kids. Carpenter was unable to make the event and Monday’s Winter Warm Up, due to his flight being canceled out of Dallas because of storms in the area. Since Matt and Leslee Holliday began Homers for Health in 2012, more than $3.7 million has been raised for the patients and families of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

“I am honored to take over Matt’s role as Chairman of Homers for Health. As sports figures, we are all in a position to use our platforms to give back to the community, and what better way than to help kids,” said Matt Carpenter. “A lot of good has come from this program, and I am excited to see what we can do next.”

Matt Holliday with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Patients

Matt Holliday with several SSM Health Cardinal Glennon patients

At the dinner, seven patients presented Matt and his wife Leslee with a #7 shadowbox, aligned with seven baseballs, each signed by them, thanking them for their work on behalf of the hospital. From there, 16-year-old cancer survivor Maggie Bohannan took to the podium, surprising the Holliday’s with an announcement that their efforts would be recognized through a wing named in their honor in the fourth floor inpatient cancer unit. Bohannan was one of the first patients Holliday connected with on a hospital visit in 2011, just before they launched Homers for Health. Holliday has formed a relationship with her and several other patients, texting on a regular basis, surprising them with birthday gifts and offering tickets to Cardinals games.

“Leslee and I are humbled that the hospital would recognize us in such a way. We had no idea that Homers for Health would grow into the program it is today and are so proud of all the work that has been done, and grateful to Cardinals Nation for their overwhelming support,” said Holliday. “Matt Carpenter is going to be a great leader and I am thankful to him for stepping in this role so the program is able to continue going forward.”

Donations to Homers for Health and K’s for Kids have gone to support departments and programs at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Improvements have also been made through creating child-friendly spaces in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Costas Center and Imaging Center, where children receive the lowest dose, safest radiation treatments in a colorful and interactive environment.

Donations to the program benefit the Children’s Fund to meet the immediate needs of the hospital. A portion of the funds from 2016 and 2017 will go to renovating the fourth floor inpatient cancer care unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. The area is part of the original structure of the hospital renovations are underway to create a beach-themed, child friendly environment. This atmosphere will help alleviate stress on patients and families while they are in the hospital for extended periods of time.

For more information about Homers for Health and K’s for Kids visit glennon.org/h4h