Celebrate Cook Children's Day at the Rodeo

By Charlotte Settle

On January 31, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will celebrate Cook Children’s Day. Cook Children’s Day is just like any other Stock Show and Rodeo experience, except the audience will get to hear fun facts and stories about the Cook Children’s NICU throughout the evening. Half of all proceeds will be donated to the Cook Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), so round up your cowboys and cowgirls to have some fun and support an incredible cause! 

A Long-lasting Partnership

The Rodeo has long been a treasured partner of Cook Children’s, benefitting the NICU for more than ten years. Brittany McLaughlin, MSN, RNC-NIC and NICU Director, says this is one of the NICU’s biggest fundraisers.

“Sometimes we can't look 12-18 months out and know exactly what we’ll need,” she said. “These are funds that we're able to use to fulfill the needs of our patients at any given time, which is tremendously helpful.”

Brittany says if you live in Fort Worth and have never been to the rodeo, now’s the time. 

“It's so much fun, and the fact that this night also directly impacts our tiny patients is just the icing on the cake,” she said.

The Cook Children's Impact

“As the only Level IV NICU in Tarrant County, we provide the highest level of care available to the sickest babies in our communities,” said Grant Harris, Chief Development Officer of Cook Children’s Health Foundation. “We hope families never need to visit our NICU, but if they do, partners like the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo help make it possible for their babies to receive world-class care right here in Fort Worth.”

Landy Blackmore understands the worry and stress of having a child in the NICU. Landy gave birth to her daughter, Tillie, at 27 weeks and five days. “Tillie was born at one pound, 12 ounces, and I still cannot wrap my mind around how small she was,” Landy said.

“We were transferred to Cook Children’s when she was three days old because we almost lost her.” Tillie spent a total of 132 days in the NICU. During that time, the Cook Children’s staff became family. 

“We got so close to everyone, from the nurses, to Child Life Specialists, all the way to the Build-a-Bear workers,” Landy said. “It was a really great experience in the midst of the hardest thing we hopefully will ever have to go through. We’re really, really lucky that we were able to go to Cook Children’s. It's such a special place.”

Supporting the Littlest Patients

The support given to the Cook Children’s NICU does not go unnoticed by the staff. 

“I can’t express how blessed I feel every day to be able to come to work and have all the resources we need,” Brittany said. “It helps us as a staff to focus on what really matters and take better care of our tiny patients.”

Stock Show and Rodeo President, Brad Barnes, is proud to be a continuous source of support for Cook Children’s. 

“The joy that comes with knowing the children at Cook Children’s will benefit from this special rodeo performance is immeasurable,” he said. “Of all the projects we’re involved with in this wonderful city, hosting Cook Children’s Day stands out among them all. We look forward to seeing Dickies Arena packed for this wonderful event.” 

Purchase tickets for Cook Children’s Day at the Rodeo here. Can’t make it to the event? Support Cook Children’s NICU families by making a donation here.