Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation Launches $45M Campaign to Expand Access to Pediatric Healthcare in New Jersey
On November 20, 2021 the leadership of the Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) Foundation announced a capital campaign to support an $89 million initiative that aims to expand access to specialized care to more than 500,000 children in the New Jersey and New York Metro area.
This unprecedented campaign, entitled Transforming Lives 2.0, is seeking to raise $45 million, funds that will play a vital role in the expansion of CSH’s services to communities where children currently do not have access to the specialized care they need. Additionally, dollars raised will support research projects at CSH that are crucial to the future of children’s health in the fields of autism, brain injury, chronic health conditions, cognition and mobility. To date, $31 million has been committed to the Transforming Lives 2.0 campaign effort.
Fundraising efforts are co-led by a team of New Jersey superstars. Proud Toms River resident, former New York Yankee and Met, and 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist, Todd Frazier, and his wife, Jackie serve as honorary chairs . They work alongside campaign chairs and members of the CSH Foundation Board of Trustees, Mark Montenero, owner of Autoland Toyota, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM Trucks in Springfield, and Ed McKenna, Senior Partner at McKenna, Dupont, Stone & Washburne and former mayor of Red Bank.
“I care deeply about the children and families in my hometown, throughout New Jersey, and well beyond,” said Frazier. “This initiative and momentous campaign has the power to change so many lives - and deliver so many smiles - across our amazing state. It’s an honor to fight for each and every family that is in need of specialized care and support to get through some of the hardest times in their lives.”
The first of four new location openings was celebrated in Union, New Jersey, with an honorary ribbon cutting and major donor reception. The spacious, state-of-the-art 66,000 square foot outpatient center will increase capacity by more than 15 percent, ultimately allowing CSH to provide quality and compassionate care to more children following increased demand for services in Union County. This new center is dedicated in memory of Kenneth Esdale as the Kenneth Esdale Pavilion Union Outpatient Center.
“This is a momentous day for Children’s Specialized Hospital and Foundation,” said Dr. Matthew B. McDonald III, President and CEO, Children’s Specialized Hospital. “The generosity of the Kenneth Esdale Estate will impact the lives of thousands of children—today and in the future. They are directly supporting our expansion into new communities so that more children will have access to the life-changing care provided at CSH.”
The celebration included CSH and RWJBarnabas Health leadership, CSH and Foundation Boards of Trustees, local elected officials, and community leaders. The program acknowledged additional major gift contributions from Vincent Baricaua of ReMax Our Town, Mark Montenero of Autoland and the trustees of the Harold and Dorothy Snyder Foundation for their significant commitments as key factors in early campaign momentum. Also recognized are the trustees of the Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation, all of whom made gifts to the Transforming Lives 2.0 campaign.
“This is the largest undertaking in Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation history,” said Philip Salerno III, President and Chief Development Officer, Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation. “We are rising to the challenge because, when the expansion of CSH is completed, more children living with special healthcare needs will receive the life-changing care they require to reach their full potential—and doing what’s best for children is at the core of everything we do. We are confident that through the generosity and compassion of our donors, we will reach our goal.”
CSH currently serves more than 35,000 children annually at 15 NJ locations spanning from Clifton to Egg Harbor. By 2023, the hospital will expand its reach even further with three new locations in Toms River, Eatontown, and Bayonne. Philanthropic gifts to the campaign will directly support the infrastructure expansion, technological advancements, and the important and innovative research studies that will change the future of pediatric health.
Recently recognized by Newsweek as one of the World's Best Specialized Hospitals, Children's Specialized Hospital is the nation's leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children, adolescents and young adults facing special health challenges from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries to a full scope of developmental, behavioral, and mental health concerns. According to Newsweek, the hospital’s “state-of-the-art facilities have the most accomplished physicians and diagnosticians and offer the highest level of care.”
Since 1891, Children's Specialized Hospital has been helping children reach their full potential, and that is in large part due to the generous donors that have provided gifts to the Foundation. From vital programs and services to groundbreaking research, 100 percent of every dollar received goes directly to helping thousands of children with special healthcare needs in New Jersey and beyond. You can hear from some of the inspiring families that have been impacted by the Foundation here.