Homers for Health
Welcome to our 13th year of Homers for Health! As we all know, the past couple of years have been like nothing we’ve ever experienced before and while so much has changed in our world, one thing that hasn’t changed is our patients and families at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital still need us.
With many of our families still experiencing new hardships, we are continuing to see more families who are unable to pay for care. Through it all, we will stay true to our promise that no family will ever be turned away due to their inability to pay.
As you know, we chose the special number of 195 to base our pledges on for the past few years. Why 195? Because that is the number of beds in our hospital and makes your pledge mean so much more to our patients. With the overwhelming support for our chosen number of 195 since the year 2020, we will again use this number to base your pledge off of!
Impact of Your Support
Your
Pledge
Life-saving
Care!
Why 195?
195 represents the number of beds in our hospital. Your pledge this year will represent so much more than just baseball.
Meet Libby!
At age 11, Libby’s life was vibrant. She had good grades and played soccer competitively. Then her mom, Michelle, a nurse at Cardinal Glennon, received a call that changed their lives. An MRI done because of her slow growth revealed that Libby had a benign tumor at the base of her pituitary gland, which helps to regulate the body’s growth hormones, stress response and other important processes. “I didn’t even know what a tumor was,” Libby admits. “Seeing my mom cry, I was scared, and knew it was bad news – but since she worked at the hospital, I felt like I would be safe and that things were going to be okay.” Surgeons at Cardinal Glennon successfully removed the tumor. Because of the tumor’s location, however, Libby’s pituitary gland no longer functions and will need to be regulated with medication for the rest of her life. After months of careful monitoring and evaluation, Libby is learning to manage her body’s reactions to stress. She regularly visits her Cardinal Glennon care team as she navigates her new normal without her beloved soccer.
Why Donate to Homers for Health?
OUR PATIENTS
Dmiya White
In summer of 2022, 15 y/o Dmiya White of Florissant, MO was living a typical teenage life. Having finished her school year on the honor roll, she was looking…
Claire Gilligan
A child is diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes. Approximately 1 in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday. Becky and Ryan…
Orlando Bairfield
It seems everywhere that Orlando Bairfield goes, he is delighted to showcase some awesome dance moves with a huge smile. The spunky 8-year-old is just two months post-surgery after…
Avery Hall
Sitting next to her son and rising star, Avery (aka VERIFYD), his mom and biggest fan, Elizabeth, shared her excitement over his upcoming return to the stage. “The last…
Ambrea Doll
“My name is Ambrea, and I am cancer free.” These were the words spoken by 14-year-old survivor, Ambrea, as she confidently completed her solo dance performance to the song,…
Anberlin Gripp
In between clinic visits, 12-year-old Anberlin from Belleville, IL sat in SSM Health Cardinal Glennon’s ground floor atrium with her Starbucks beverage talking about her favorite things. She talked…
Libby Cunningham
It was Good Friday of Easter weekend 2022. Eleven-year-old Libby and her mom, Michelle, from Glen Carbon, IL were having a mother/ daughter trip at the mall. Shopping and…
Juliana Steger
Five year-old Juliana from South St. Louis County, MO is a sweet and cuddly 5 year old. She loves animals, music, books, waffles, pancakes, dinosaurs, deer, baby dolls and…
Liam Gregory
Liam Gregory’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience and the power of love and medical care. Born in 2013, Liam faced numerous health challenges, especially in his early…
Morgan Andrews
Courtney Andrews gave birth to her daughter, Morgan on March 6, 2011. “I had a pretty routine pregnancy, despite some mild preeclampsia and polyhydramnios. Morgan was born after a…
Become a 2024 Holliday's Hero
Holliday's Heroes are among our highest level of donors to Homers for Health. Every pledge of $7 (or more) per hospital bed signifies the honor of being a part of Holliday's Heroes. You can also make a one-time gift of $1,365 to join this exclusive group and make a significant impact for Cardinal Glennon kids. Matt and Leslee extend their deepest gratitude for your support. To learn more about Holliday's Heroes, contact Hannah Hyde at hannah.hyde@ssmhealth.com.
Thanks to Our Holliday's Heroes
With heartfelt gratitude for the generous donors who support Homers for Health as "Holliday's Heroes" with a pledge of $7 or more per home run and "Superheroes" with a gift of $13,650 or more. Thank you!
Mr. and Mrs. William Barrett
Brian and Laura Behrens
Mr. and Mrs. Frederic E. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Bruno
Joyce and Mike Bytnar
Drs. Molly and Steven Cline
Steve Fennewald
Dr. Terry V. Freerks
Mr. Richard Gliedt
Mr. and Mrs. William Hailstone
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Hendrickson
Joe and Faith Herbers
Mike and Martha Hogan
Mr. Justen Hong and Mrs. Nicole Holland-Hong
Dr. Gregg W. Hosch
Charles Huddleston and Marye Gleva
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Lorenz
Karen Lynch
Ginny McCook
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Morgenthaler, Jr.
Patrick Murphy
Jay Pazero
Dr. Bo and Kathy Plurad
Raider Mechanical Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Richter
Geri S
Kristie and Dale Schulz
Bill and Darlene Skaggs
Mr. and Mrs. John Small
Miss Emily L. Uhe
Ms. Belinda Wise
Lynn M Zond
What is Homers for Health?
Now in its 13th year, Homers for Health has raised valuable support for the children served by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of supporters from across the nation and around the world, this program has made significant contributions to our exceptional, state-of-the-art health care and the creation of child-friendly, family-centered environments within the hospital.
Founded by former Cardinal Matt Holliday and his wife Leslee in 2012, the program has helped create new child-friendly spaces including the Imaging Center, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Inpatient and Outpatient Cancer Units, raising more than 9-million dollars. Click the images below to learn more about the impact of your support.
Your generous support of Homers for Health is making such a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. This is a very exciting time in health care, and we rely strongly on the support of our community, friends and sponsors to help us remain at the forefront of technology and innovation, top-tier clinical programs and vital supportive services supported by the Children’s Fund. Thanks to you, we can provide lifesaving care to all children in need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
You Make a Difference
Music Therapy
In addition to world-class health care, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital offers many programs to enhance the patient experience for children and their families. Board-certified music therapists use evidence-based interventions to offer Music Therapy to patients of all ages and all medical challenges, including kidney disease, cancer, eating disorders, traumatic injuries and other complex issues.
Through the healing power of music, Music Therapy reduces stress and anxiety, alleviates pain, promotes relaxation and increases self-esteem. Music helps patients cope with their illness and treatment and helps parents connect and communicate with their children. Children come away from Music Therapy sessions calmer, in better spirits and filled with hope, sometimes for the first time since their diagnosis or injury.
Music Therapy
S.T.A.R.S. Program
Advances in pediatric medicine have resulted in the increased survival of children with complex medical conditions. Premature babies are surviving in greater numbers and living longer, frequently into adulthood. These children typically have multiple medical conditions, complex medication schedules and utilize an array of medical equipment such as home ventilators.
The Special Needs Tracking and Awareness Response System (STARS) provides education to first responders about the safe care and transport of specialneeds children living in their districts. The program also manages a centralized database for enrolled patients, making their medical history readily available.
S.T.A.R.S. Program
Cancer Services
Every five days, a child in the St. Louis region is diagnosed with cancer. When faced with numerous questions, the prospect of scary treatments and an uncertain future, parents want to know that the very best clinical professionals are caring for their child.
The nationally-recognized Costas Center offers the latest treatments, the best research and the power of presence for the children and families in our care. At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, we recognize that children’s needs are unique. Their care requires a collaborative relationship among doctors, nurses and other caregivers who are dedicated to healing them today and discovering new cures for future generations of children.
Cancer Services
Thank Our Program Sponsors
