Dear John,

At Children's Hospital Los Angeles we stand by our patients and families every step of the way: from tests, to diagnoses, to treatments, to playful distractions, to bursting joy. And, with your support, our doctors, researchers, nurses and other staff do everything possible to help sick kids in the hospital feel better—kids like Genesis.

Genesis seemed perfectly healthy until a routine checkup at 6 months, where her pediatrician diagnosed a heart murmur and referred the family to Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Further tests soon revealed that Genesis' heart was failing. She was diagnosed with a disease called cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart to enlarge and lose its ability to pump blood out to the body. Genesis was admitted to the hospital's Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit that day.

Kids like Genesis are why we're looking for 310 supporters to answer a critical call by midnight tomorrow: Make a tax-deductible gift of $10 or more to the Children's Fund today while every gift will be matched to double the impact for sick and injured kids.

"I just couldn't wrap my head around it because to me she seemed completely fine," Lilian, Genesis' mom, says. "She was smiling and laughing. She didn't look sick."

Genesis' heart was so damaged that her doctors had to implant a device in her chest to keep her blood pumping to ensure she'd survive until a heart donor was found. She experienced two strokes. The wait felt endless—but after nine months, in August 2021, Genesis received a transplant.

Be one of 310 supporters whose gifts to the Children's Fund will be DOUBLED to help give kids access to lifesaving innovations and treatments. Will you be one of them?

Today, Genesis is home, catching up on her usual baby milestones, which were disrupted by the length of time she spent confined to a hospital bed. She's making great progress—crawling and pulling herself up onto her feet and expressing herself using sounds.

"I can't stress enough how much we are grateful for the opportunity that came to us, and for all the people we met at Children's Hospital Los Angeles," Lilian says. "The doctors, nurses, surgeons, transplant coordinators and the Child Life specialists helped us through the biggest hurdle life could throw at us!"

Make more stories like Genesis' possible—please give as generously as you can. Right now, every $1 becomes $2 when you give before midnight tomorrow, thanks to an anonymous donor. Make your gift today.

We are so grateful for your support.

Sincerely,

Children's Hospital Los Angeles