Mark McCormick Miller
A grateful parent, Mark Miller, has provided generous support for epilepsy research at Nicklaus Children’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, part of the renowned Brain Institute. The most recent gift of $1.25 million through the Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust to the Brain Data Bank will move forward advances in epilepsy research and treatment under the direction of Dr. Michael Duchowny. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is a global leader in treating epilepsy in children, offering the most advanced technology. Mr. Miller’s commitment supports the center’s pioneering work.
Chanin and Adam Carlin
For successful wealth manager and adviser Adam Carlin and wife, Chanin, one of the most rewarding investments – giving back – pays dividends. As parents of twin boys, the Carlins learned that there was no patient prom event in the Miami area. They decided to remedy that and brought the Carlin Family Nicklaus Children’s Prom to the hospital. After an initial five-year commitment to the heartwarming event, the Carlin’s recently pledged to sponsor the prom for five more years. “My goal with the Carlin Prom is to allow children facing serious illnesses to have an evening which allows them to be kids and temporarily forget about whatever illness they are dealing with, “ said Adam Carlin.
Thanks to the Carlin family, our teen patients look forward to prom each year.
Philanthropic Events
8th Annual Wine, Women & Shoes Presented by Nicole Sayfie Porcelli, Marcello Porcelli and Faena Rose
Hundreds of women slipped into their stilettos to be a part of the 8th Annual Wine, Women & Shoes (WW&S) benefiting the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. The event took place at the Moore Building in the Miami Design District and was emceed by CBS4’s News in the Morning co-anchor and Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist, Lauren Pastrana.
The celebration, led by co-chairs Christina Getty, Asha Elias and Nicole Sayfie Porcelli, included an array of wine tasting options, luxurious silent auction items and an extensive selection of vendors at our fashion marketplace.
Since the first Wine, Women & Shoes in 2012, these ladies have raised more than $1.2 million in funds to support needed programs and services at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
5th Annual Nico’s Promise Fashion Show – Siempre
Nico’s Promise: A Journey of Hope and Healing hosted its fifth annual fashion show titled Siempre. The event took place at the Hilton Miami Downtown where more than 450 guests raised over $380,000 in funds to benefit the bereavement program at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Nico’s Promise: A Journey of Hope and Healing, provides ongoing support to parents, siblings, grandparents and other family members who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The services of Nico’s Promise are offered free of charge and provide the entire family the unique opportunity to celebrate the life of their lost child while also encouraging families to harness their inner strength to accept, grieve, and persevere in a healthy manner during this most vulnerable time.
Nico’s Promise seeks to serve as an industry-benchmarking standard for inpatient as well as outpatient bereavement services at children’s hospitals across the country. Since the inception of Nico’s Promise in 2012, the program has provided over 450 individual counseling sessions and outreach to nearly 200 eligible families.
Bake a Difference
Bake a Difference is a community wide effort to raise awareness and funds for Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and its Comprehensive Epilepsy Program. Since 2014, community members have come together for a day of baking and selling goods in the Miami-Dade and Broward communities, and in that time have raised over $100,000 to fund new equipment and less invasive surgery techniques.
Founded by the Hirschhorn family, Amy, Doug, Evie and Samantha Hirschhorn were motivated to give back after Samantha was diagnosed with epilepsy at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. They wanted to give everyone in the community the opportunity to make a difference and participate in an event that was inclusive of the entire family. Last year alone, Bake a Difference raised over $37,500.
7th Annual Fashion Gives Back
Some of the most fashionable young professionals in South Florida got together during the 7th Annual Fashion Gives Back. The event was hosted by the Nicklaus Children’s Young Ambassadors (NCYA), a group of young professionals who aim to raise funds that benefit the children and families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Thanks to their efforts, this year’s event raised more than $155,000.
This year’s co-chairs were Ricky Patel and Zak Mann. During a special portion of the event, guests rose to their feet upon seeing one of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s very own patients, Gabriela, walk the runway as the guest of honor.
When Gabriela was born, her parents were surprised to discover that she had cleft lip and palate. Embarking on an unexpected medical journey with their newborn daughter was not an easy task. With the support of Dr. Mislen Bauer, Clinical Director of Nicklaus Children's Craniofacial Center, all worries were put to rest. Gabriela underwent multiple surgeries to correct the anomaly and currently enjoys activities such as painting, playing instruments and jumping on the trampoline with her siblings.
SuperDuper Fun Day – Walk and Family Festival Presented by FedEx
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation hosted its first ever SuperDuper Fun Day – Walk and Family Festival presented by FedEx, raising nearly $220,000.
The event gave current and former patients and community supporters the opportunity to create teams and raise funds to give back to the many departments and medical services available at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Children and families enjoyed a one-mile walk with interactive stations and music along Bayshore Drive before pouring into Regatta Park for rides, games and activities. The festival included roller coasters, fun slides, rock climbing, tug of war, face painting, visits from princesses and superheroes, a mega dance party hosted by iHeartMedia’s number one hit music station Y100 and much more.
This new event was created for the community to celebrate the incredible care that Nicklaus doctors and nurses provide to children, all while enjoying a fun-filled day outdoors with family and friends.
12th Annual Diamond Ball
Over 550 of the most philanthropic members of our community came together to celebrate the 12th Annual Diamond Ball – Beyond Tomorrow at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The event raised over $1 million to benefit the children and families receiving care and support at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Laurie Jennings, WPLG Local 10 news anchor and proud supporter of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital was in charge of emceeing the event. Jennings kicked off the program by expressing her gratitude towards the organization and the medical staff. She shared the story of her identical twin boys, Luke and Jake, who were born as micro preemies four months early at a local maternity unit and later cared for by the specialists at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
The theme of the event, Beyond Tomorrow, focused on innovation and set the mood for the induction of African stateswoman Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame. Machel, who toured the hospital the day prior, strongly believes that all children, including those in underserved areas, should have quick and affordable access to healthcare.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals:
Making a Difference One Dollar at a Time