Cook Children’s is proud to announce a new sponsorship agreement with PGA Tour professional golfer, Tom Hoge. This multi-year partnership aligns our passion for excellence and giving back to the community.

Hoge, a Texas Christian University alumnus and resident of Fort Worth with his wife Kelly, has cemented a place on the national golf scene, following his initial win on TOUR at the famed 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His dedication and talent mirror Cook Children’s commitment to providing exceptional health care to children and families. The Hoge family are dedicated supporters of Cook Children’s patient support services, making this a true purpose-driven partnership. Their shared values and Tom’s desire for active involvement with patients solidify the foundation of this meaningful relationship.

“Cook Children’s is one of the many reasons Kelly and I are proud to call Fort Worth home,” Hoge commented. “We are immensely proud to have a best-in-class opportunity for children to receive health care right in our backyard. Anything I can do to further the mission and platform of Cook Children’s through this partnership will be a great honor.”

Fans can look forward to seeing Tom sporting Cook Children’s logo on his left arm shirtsleeve as he competes throughout the PGA Tour season. He will also be participating in Cook Children’s annual BedPan Open on Tuesday, May 21, just before the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club.

“The Hoge family’s continued support of our patients makes this partnership a natural fit,” said Grant Harris, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Cook Children’s Health Foundation. “Our national recognition as a premier pediatric health care organization has grown parallel to Tom’s recognition on the PGA tour, and we’re thrilled to reach these new heights with such a dedicated partner on our team.”

As Hoge continues to ascend the golf rankings, Cook Children’s continues to garner national recognition and awards for health care excellence. This partnership creates a ripple effect of positive impact within the Fort Worth community and beyond. Join us in celebrating this exciting partnership and wishing Tom a very happy birthday on May 25!

Cy and Jennifer McGuire spent a grueling two months at their infant son’s side in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth in 2016.

Today, Tate is a healthy and cheerful 7-year-old. He knows he was hospitalized as a baby, and that his Peaks Dragon stuffie came from that hospital. He’s eager for cotton candy, the bouncy house and hugs from his favorite nurses when his family returns for a NICU reunion April 28 on the front lawn.  

Tate has come a long way since his first trip to Cook Children’s, rushed there by ambulance when he was only a few hours old. Tate was a preemie born with a malformation of his esophagus and trachea that made it impossible to feed and difficult to breathe. He needed surgery and then treatment for pneumonia during his recovery in the NICU.

His parents look back with gratitude for the nurses and doctors who took care of Tate during his ups and downs and scary moments. Cy and Jennifer remember the names of many of the medical team members, especially those they saw and spoke with routinely.

Even after seven years, Tate’s parents still have a soft place in their heart for the nurses … for their swift and coolheaded response every time Tate’s alarms sounded. For their reassuring words of encouragement. For taking the time to answer questions. For making the McGuires feel heard and respected and involved in their son’s care.

The trust that Jennifer and Cy placed in the NICU staff back in 2016 created a bond that still exists. That’s why it’s important to them that Tate gets to know Colleen Reinelt, RN and Jonathan Nedrelow, M.D. and others who provided his critical care.

The McGuires make it a point to travel from Aledo for the annual NICU reunions at Cook Children’s. The gathering in 2023 was the first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer takes photos every year of Tate with Colleen, Dr. Nedrelow and the other caregivers they recognize. Because she treasures those encounters, Jennifer wants to save the memories in a timeline of images to show her son. 

Each reunion is a chance to say hello, give hugs and celebrate how much the former NICU patients have grown.

“It was wonderful to see everyone,” Jennifer said of the 2023 reunion. “They all remembered Tate, and it was so nice to see it come full circle. They saw him at his worst, and now he’s doing amazing.”

Staff members enjoy the reunions because they get to visit with the children who were once the sickest babies at the medical center. The average length of stay in the NICU is slightly less than a month, but some infants remain much longer. Once a baby is discharged from the NICU, the family doesn’t usually see those same caregivers again. 

Colleen said every patient in the NICU makes an impression. She remembers taking Tate to surgery, his nickname (“Tater Bug”), and what room he stayed in. She was happy to receive another hug from Tate each time their path crossed at last year’s reunion.

It’s rewarding at these events, she said, to see a thriving child who was once a baby with a brain bleed or needing resuscitation, for example. Nurses, doctors, Child Life specialists and therapists love to visit with those kids and their parents and siblings again -- outside the NICU.

“You develop relationships with these families. It’s hard on them and it’s hard for us when they leave,” Colleen said. “You remember their smiles and you remember their laughter. All of the kindness in their heart. And it means so much that they want to stay in contact with you.”

The 2024 Cook Children’s NICU reunion promises carnival food, fun and circus-themed festivities from 1-4pm on Sunday, April 28, at the Fort Worth medical center. Past patients are invited to come in costume as a circus animal, ringmaster or performer.

Families are encouraged to bring posters decorated with photos, a short write-up of their baby’s time in the NICU, and updates on how the child’s doing now.

"Our NICU stay at Cook Children’s was mentally, physically, and emotionally draining,” Jennifer wrote on her storyboard in 2017. “That said, it was absolutely the best place for our Tate to spend his first 2 months of life!  Cook Children’s is such a special place.  Everyone works together as a team with a genuine desire to help heal your child.  They encourage parents to take an active role in that team, which eases the trauma of it all.  Plus, the ability to spend both days and nights with our son, in his room, was priceless.”

Making Connections

Dr. Nedrelow serves as Senior Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer for Cook Children’s Health Care System. He came to Cook Children’s almost 20 years ago as a neonatologist.

The NICU environment tends to create unique connections, Dr. Nedrelow pointed out. Strong relationships form because the patient families and medical staff are moving together through victories and hardship. It’s a place of intense emotions, teamwork and a shared purpose: Helping the infant heal and go home.

Children who spent time in the NICU as babies like to hear the stories, he said. At the reunions, they stand in long lines to meet and greet the nurses and doctors they know from those stories.

“It’s magical to see the child’s face light up,” Dr. Nedrelow said. “They’ll say, ‘I remember my time in the NICU.’ Of course they don’t, but they remember other people’s memory of it.”

The reunions are powerful and joyful for everyone involved. They provide a sense of closure. 

“It feels very meaningful to these families to be able to come back and interact with the staff for no other purpose than to celebrate the health of their child,” he said.

Tate’s Journey

Tate was born in September 2016, five weeks before his due date. Nurses in the delivery room had trouble suctioning his throat, which was a red flag for a complex condition called tracheoesophageal fistula with esophageal atresia. In simplest terms … Tate’s windpipe and food tube were abnormally joined, and his esophagus ended in a pouch instead of reaching his stomach. His airway was not fully developed and would collapse on itself, another concern.

“He wasn’t able to eat, and his breathing was not as good as it should be because part of the air was going into his GI tract,” Jennifer explained.

Tate was taken by ambulance from the delivery hospital to Cook Children’s. Cy followed the Teddy Bear Transport to the NICU. It was a whirlwind of activity, he recalls, but the staff helped him settle in.

Jennifer, meanwhile, remained in the delivery hospital. She was released two days later and immediately went to Cook Children’s, where she was able to hold Tate for the first time just before he underwent surgery. Colleen was the nurse in the NICU who placed Tate in Jennifer’s arms.

“Colleen, who later became our primary nurse, was actually the first person I saw,” Jennifer said. “She showed me how to hold Tate, with all that he was connected to, and she calmed my fears. She was amazing.”

Pediatric surgeon Marty Knott, D.O. repaired Tate’s esophagus and trachea, stretching his esophagus to reach his stomach. He developed complications afterward and was placed on a ventilator. Until his chest tube came out, his parents couldn’t hold him. They could rub his back, hold his hands, talk and sing to Tate. The nurses gave encouragement.

Jennifer was also thankful that the NICU staff encouraged moms to pump breastmilk if possible. Tate was able to take her milk through a nasogastric (NG) tube in his nose. Gradually his breathing and eating improved.

Another blessing, they said, was having a single-patient room with a foldout couch. Cy or Jennifer spent every night with Tate while the other parent stayed home with their two other sons, a kindergartener and a 3-year-old at the time. Tate’s grandparents took turns coming to Aledo to help out at home.   

Over their two-month stay in the NICU, the McGuires got to know all the staff. They have distinct memories of the interactions with caregivers they knew by name, including the nurse who calmly did chest compressions the time Tate was unresponsive.

They remember Dr. Nedrelow as extremely knowledgeable and skilled in neonatology. At the same time, he advocated for parents being an active part of the team in caring for their child. They credit Dr. Nedrelow’s openness to their questions and any concerns they expressed.

Tate grew in the NICU to 7 pounds, 6 ounces. After he was discharged, the family visited the Cook Children’s NEST Center, a support and evaluation program that follows up with former NICU patients.

The family celebrates the anniversary of Tate’s homecoming with a cake of his choice every year. He’s able to eat anything and keep up with his brothers. Tate loves hugs, which his parents attribute to the frequent cuddling in the NICU once he could be held.   

His dad says they’ll continue attending the NICU reunions because Tate’s medical team deserves to see the impact their skills and kindness made on his life. 

“They got to see him at his rough start,” Cy said.  “And now here’s this cheerful kid running around giving the world joy.”

More about the NICU

Cook Children’s NICU is designated a Level IV NICU, which is the highest level of neonatal care for medically fragile babies. Our NICU offers 106 beds in 99 rooms, including rooms designed for twins, triplets or quadruplets. The unit hit an all-time high of 101 infants in January 2024 – evidence of the North Texas region’s population growth and our medical center’s impact on the community.

We provide advanced technology and access to specialists including cardiology, genetics and neurology. Emergency surgery can be performed without having to leave the unit. The NICU care team also includes lactation specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists and social workers. Watch a video tour or call 682-885-4375 to speak with a member of our team. 

RELATED STORIES:

• Record Broken: Cook Children’s NICU Reaches New Milestone with 101 Patients
• Patients, Families and Care Teams Reunite at Cook Children’s NICU Reunion
• Raising Joy Podcast: A NICU Parent’s Guide to Managing Emotions

Marlee Munguia has a rare cancer that wasn’t responding to standard chemotherapy when she was first diagnosed at age 3.

But her doctors at Cook Children’s had other strategies to try, including immunotherapy and two stem cell transplants. Thanks to those treatments – along with radiation, surgeries and scans over the past three years – Marlee has a healthier and happier outlook. 

Now age 6, she still needs treatment for neuroblastoma, a type of cancer involving nerve cells.  Cancer, however, doesn’t define her. Marlee rests up after each medical procedure or inpatient stay at the medical center in Fort Worth. Then she resumes her full schedule of play, horseback riding and representing Cook Children’s as a patient ambassador. 

Marlee shines in her role as ambassador, which suits her outgoing personality and chatty friendliness. She attends charity events, poses for publicity photos and even spoke on the radio to share her love for Cook Children’s. As her mom puts it … Marlee is social as a butterfly and fierce as a lion.  

Those ambassador duties put Marlee and her family in the spotlight to help promote The Blast fundraiser. The Blast is a 5-kilometer walk on April 6 benefitting the Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center.

And it’s a cause close to the hearts of Marlee’s parents, Lani and Mason Munguia. That’s because every dollar donated at The Blast brings more research, clinical trials and treatments closer to home for cancer patients in North Texas and beyond.

“Without these newer drugs that require research and research money, Marlee wouldn’t be here today,” Lani said. “We need new drugs and less harsh drugs that don’t cause so many side effects. We can’t do that without research.”

Cancer therapies work by destroying the cancer cells, but they often cause brutal side effects to the rest of the body. Marlee lost much of her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. At times she couldn’t eat because of vomiting and the sores in her mouth. One of her transplants led to septic shock and a rare liver complication, putting her into the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Cook Children’s oncologist Chelsee Greer, D.O. points out that just 4% of the annual federal budget for cancer research goes toward pediatrics. Financial donations help close the gap and can lead to development of new therapies that take less of a toll on children, she said. 

“Patients and families deserve more options, and that’s why it is so important to continue ongoing research and clinical trials,” Dr. Greer said. “It’s also important that the community help support organizations close to home, like Cook Children’s. Donations to our hospital help families here in DFW and across the state of Texas.”

About 15,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As therapies improved, cancer death rates among those 14 and younger have dropped nearly 70% over the past 40 years.

The Blast aims to raise awareness and salute everyone touched by childhood cancer. What inspires the mission? “Together, we’ll walk in celebration of the children who have fought and won, in remembrance of those who have passed and in hope for a world in which pediatric cancer does not exist.”

Team Marlee Strong will be out in force for The Blast. Her supporters include Munguia family members, friends and baseball players from Fort Worth’s Chisolm Trail High School, where Mason coaches. Here’s more of Marlee’s story, and information about ways you can join The Blast to help #blastawaycancer.

Resilience and Hope

Marlee began getting sick frequently when she was 3. In January 2021, severe pain sent her to a hospital in Odessa, her hometown, where doctors found a mass growing in her chest and abdomen. The main tumor was behind her heart, wrapped around the aorta and blood vessels that supplied the spinal cord.

It was too stormy to fly, so an ambulance took her right away to Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth. Chemotherapy started a few days later. Marlee needed a round every 21 days, staying in the hospital for at least a week afterward to be monitored.

Mason and Lani wanted to remain close by because of how frequently Marlee would be admitted. So Mason’s student athletes and their friends in Odessa boxed up their belongings; the Munguias found local housing and now live near Saginaw.

“We never got to really say goodbye to our home. It was sold by a friend of ours who was a real estate agent,” Lani said. “We never went back for like a year.”

Marlee’s course of treatment since the beginning has included several surgeries, 12 chemo rounds and 18 days of radiation. During one point in 2021, she was hospitalized for an 80-day stretch that spanned Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For much of 2023, her scans looked good. She had the energy to swim, play tennis and start kindergarten. Treatments ended and her ports were taken out. But last September, cancer was found in her femur bone.

It was a crushing setback. But Marlee resumed her immunotherapy and radiation sessions with a spirit of resilience and upbeat positivity.

Lani says her daughter shows up for appointments with a smile on her face and a wave for everyone in the medical center’s hallways. Headed to a checkup one day, for instance, Marlee chose to wear a yellow dress and hairbow. A photo captures her sunny radiance. 

She’s very much at home at Cook Children’s. Visits with the staff – including the drama therapist, Child Life specialists and Sit … Stay … PLAY therapy dogs – make Marlee’s experience as good as it can possibly be, even during a painful procedure or on the days where she ran fever and had no appetite.   

The older she gets, the more she understands that the pokes and side effects of cancer treatment aren’t easy. But she considers Cook Children’s a place where she’s safe and loved. The Glitter Girls paint her fingernails, the nurses play Roblox with her, and Marlee sings for the staff.

The grateful Munguia family leans on prayer and their support system. And they return the love by doing what they can to help other families at Cook Children’s. One year they put together 10 holiday baskets with snacks, gift cards and toys for children spending Christmas in the Bone Marrow Unit. 

Marlee’s oncologist describes her as spunky and sensitive to the needs of other people.

“Even at such a young age she understands the importance of helping others,” Dr. Greer said. “During the difficult times she has the ability to spread joy. She and her family are always looking for ways to help.”

As an ambassador for Cook Children’s, Marlee raised pledges on the Radiothon. She decorated gingerbread as part of the Cookies & Castles fundraiser for the oncology department. Her picture made the Spring 2024 cover of the Cook Children’s Health Foundation’s Promise magazine.

 Marlee likes to share her pride in Cook Children’s, Lani said. These days she takes homebound lessons for school, enjoys horse camp and is asking for drum lessons. Marlee plans to join her team at The Blast as long as she’s feeling well enough.

Lani said making a donation for research means everything for children with cancer.

“And it gives them hope. If we don’t have hope, then we really struggle every day to get through this battle,” she said. “I think that’s why The Blast has been so important to me, because it gives parents and children hope when standard treatment isn’t working.”

More about The Blast

The 17^th annual The Blast will take place April 6, 2024, at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. Families and friends of kids like Marlee walk every year to find a cure for childhood cancer.

When a child is battling cancer, their family suffers as well. Parents often must spend days and weeks away from work and their other children as they support their child through inpatient admission. Siblings struggle with feelings of loss and loneliness.

You don’t have to know someone who has been affected by childhood cancer to get involved. The Blast is a way to stand with these families in their hope for a brighter future. Show your support by signing up to walk, making a donation and spreading the word.

Visit blastwalk.org to sign up for The Blast 2024 today.

RELATED STORIES:

• The Blast Builds on a Promise, Fighting for a Cure 
• Twelve-Year-Old Defies all Odds, Achieving Remission from Back-to-Back Cancer Diagnoses

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.

The Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification program helps individuals understand and recognize types of seizures, identify signs and symptoms of each, learn how to administer first aid when witnessing a seizure and outlines when to call for help.

“We sought to develop the program in-house knowing that Cook Children’s was an ideal venue to demonstrate how a company could institute wide-scale implementation of the Epilepsy Foundation's training to get large numbers of people educated,” said M. Scott Perry, M.D., epileptologist and medical director of Neurology and the Genetic Epilepsy Clinic at Cook Children’s. “Several of our nurses completed the necessary instructor education and, subsequently, took the training and made it an online course available to our staff. We’re encouraging all staff to complete the training in an effort to make Cook Children’s seizure safe.”

Dr. Perry sits on the professional advisory board for the Epilepsy Foundation of America and chairs the Public Health and Education Committee that reviews the course’s content.

About one in 10 people may have a seizure in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Although common, seizures are as varied as the individuals they impact. While some may result in a visible loss of consciousness or uncontrolled movement, others may be invisible to those who lack experience with or are unaware of the nuances of seizure disorders.

“This program breaks through stereotypes about seizures, even among health care professionals,” said Aubrey Esparza, MSN, RN, CPN, neurosciences clinical nurse leader at Cook Children’s. “Seizures can present in many different ways. Some can be subtle, so it is important to know the signs to look for.”

Oftentimes, unrecognized seizures are incorrectly labeled as behavioral problems, attention deficits or even substance abuse, resulting in a lapse of timely medical treatment, according to Esparza. Knowing what to look for and being able to describe the seizure activity in detail is key in getting individuals the help they need. The certification program emphasizes the importance that seizure description plays in diagnosis and treatment and the types of information health care providers need from a witness for better diagnosis and treatment.

“When a seizure is presumed to be something else, a child is unable to receive timely medical treatment," Esparza said. "Knowing what to look for and being able to describe that seizure activity in detail gives providers so much information as to how to diagnose and treat an individual. The more we know about what an individual’s seizure looks like, the better.”

Certification was first offered in-house to Cook Children’s inpatient neurosciences staff members in September. Since then, 56 members of the neurosciences team have completed certification—now a mandatory part of their continuing education employee training. But understanding how to recognize a seizure is also very valuable for those on general medical floors and in high-traffic areas like patient registration or the cafeteria, and the training is suitable for both medical professionals and non-medical employees. All Cook Children’s staff are encouraged to complete the optional one-hour course through the hospital's employee education portal.

The certification program is also offered to families of patients at risk for seizures or newly diagnosed with epilepsy. So far, nine families have completed the training and have reported increased confidence in managing seizure activity as well as the ability to better recognize and describe seizures. Even families who have children with epilepsy for multiple years have reported that the course is extremely valuable. Training for patient families is currently offered once a week via Zoom and will be provided in-person once it is safe to do so.

The Epilepsy Foundation’s course is open to any adult interested in increasing their confidence in recognizing seizures and providing seizure first aid. It is designed for anyone who works, lives or plays in a setting where seizures could occur or who interacts with someone who has seizures, according to the Foundation.

For more information on how you or members of your organization can become Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certified, visit www.epilepsy.com/firstaid or contact your local Epilepsy Foundation.

And at no time, do most of us feel more generous than during the holidays.

Sometimes, though, the people on the receiving end of your generosity don’t have the same great intentions as you.

We hear of these reports from time to time in our own community: Someone is going to door-to-door in a neighborhood selling something to support Cook Children’s. The Internet is full of scams in the name of giving that most of us would never dream of committing.

We want to make sure you aren’t scammed, especially in the name of Cook Children’s. :

1. We won’t coming knocking. Cook Children’s never solicits donor support door-to-door.  Cook Children’s also never sanctions door-to-door solicitations on our behalf.
2. We validate. Annually, Cook Children’s has more than 70 community partners who hold special event fundraisers that benefit Cook Children’s.  Each of these partners events have been approved by Cook Children’s Health Foundation and have been provided a letter of authorization to validate the authenticity of the event and its organizers.
3. We give our stamp of approval. The request for a proposed fundraising activity that will benefit Cook Children’s must be submitted for approval, including the use of Cook Children’s name and/or logo prior to the event.  Cook Children’s endorses wholesome, family or child-oriented events that provide a favorable community image.  “Proceeds benefiting Cook Children’s” may be used in promotional materials, invitations or advertising copy, if approved in advance by Cook Children’s Health Foundation.

In order to keep yourself from falling victim to a charity scam, take the time to check out the charity.

1. Visit their website and look for the following things:

• Correct spelling and use of grammar.
• Mission statement.
• List of board members.
• Permanent street address (not a PO Box) and a phone number.
• Statements of financial transparency.

2. Seek proof

• Ask the charity to mail you information on the program they are asking you to support and how the funds will be used.
• Request a copy of their tax information.
• Check the company’s status with the Better Business Bureau.

3. Ask if you can write a check

Donations of cash are not trackable and any legitimate non-profit organization would be willing and able to accept a check.

4. Use common sense

Don’t provide financial information to anyone over the phone.

If you receive a request by email, look at the email. Beware of emails coming from addresses such as Hotmail or yahoo, and not .org. Don’t make a donation through an email that you don’t know or can’t verify. For example, Cook Children’s would send an email such as foundation@cookchildrens.org.

Don’t give in to forceful or demanding requests for your immediate support.

Use caution on social media sites and websites that you are unfamiliar with.

Some organizations, like Cook Children’s, have groups within the community who raise money for the cause. These events are not run by Cook Children’s, but must be approved by Cook Children’s Health Foundation. If you have a question about the validity of a group or individual who is soliciting funds on behalf of Cook Children’s, contact our Community Partners specialist at 682-885-4105.

Don’t let the possibility of charity scam keep you from supporting the causes that you believe in, but do let it raise your awareness and guide you in your decision making. Do your research, identify your top charities of choice and reach out to them. Real charities have nothing to hide.

If you suspect that you are being solicited by or have fallen victim to a charity scam, document the details and contact your credit card company or bank to report the incident.

Cook Children’s is a 501(c)(3). IRS tax number 75-2051646. 

Easier said than done for most kids, right?

Especially, when they know all those presents will be underneath the tree very soon.

So, how do you make your kids appreciate the true meaning of the season?

Jillian Mitchell, the Community Program coordinator at Cook Children’s, said it’s important for parents to talk to their children about the importance of sharing with others. Together, discuss the different opportunities to give, and then vote on your favorite organization to help. This way you’ll meet your chartable goals for this season while also instilling a love of giving in your children.

"Children learn from example, and their parents’ actions definitely speak louder than their words," Mitchell said. "Giving to Cook Children’s is a great way to give back to your community, and for your kids to help other kids."

Joy Crabtree, Psy.D., manager of Behavioral Health at Cook Children’s Urgent Care and Pediatric Specialties in Southlake, believes teaching children to give to others helps them develop an awareness that others may not be as fortunate as them or have other challenges. Giving promotes the development of empathy for others as well as perspective and thankfulness for the gifts they have in their own life.

"As the holidays approach, it is a perfect time to give to families and others less fortunate,” Crabtree said. “Parents might get input from their children on a "wish list" for fun toys, books or electronics and have them help with the shopping as well. Parents can reinforce how important it is to give to others by making it an annual tradition around the holidays, but also at other times during the year when there are families in need in the community that could benefit from help."

"Giving as a family is also a great way to promote bonding among the family members and to create positive memories."

Cook Children’s is fortunate to have thousands of toys donated each year by generous individuals, families and business, and about 75 percent of those toys are donated between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The medical center has a system in place to make sure the items are distributed to patients during the holidays and year round.

Cook Children’s has been caring for children for nearly 100 years, and the community has always played a significant role in this long-term success. Through many initiatives at Cook Children’s, the entire family, including kids, can find ways to offer support and donations.

"When families decide to give to Cook Children’s, we talk with the kids about how their donations will be used," Mitchell said. "Even though they can’t see it first-hand, the kids are still being made aware of how the gifts help make medical center stays more comfortable for kids and their families. I think it really resonates with them, especially when we tell them about children and parents who have to spend time away during the holidays."

The Peter Pan Birthday Club is a program where children of any age host a party in which guests bring monetary donations for Cook Children’s, instead of presents for the birthday boy or girl. Knowing that birthday party is making a difference in the life of a sick child is a lesson in the importance of philanthropy and kindness.

Children 15 to 18 years old can volunteer at Cook Children’s. Junior volunteers help families with way-finding, support staff with clerical tasks, keep patients and siblings entertained through play and reading activities, provide much needed breaks for parents, assist with community events and much more.

Whether through monetary support or gifts such as toys, coloring books or craft products, Cook Children’s has several ways for children and families to demonstrate their support to patients.

"I can’t think of a more perfect time for families to come together and give to others than the holidays," said Grant Harris, vice president of Development at Cook Children’s. "Parents and their children can make a big difference at organizations like Cook Children’s. It’s important to teach children now the importance of helping others so it will continue for generations to come."

To learn more about giving to Cook Children’s, visit www.cookchildrens.org/giving.

To learn more:

Cook Children's embraces an inspiring promise to improve the health of every child in its region through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury. Through your generosity, you can help us fulfill this promise. Find out how you can make a difference by giving by clicking here. 

The NICU has many babies who need holding, but they can’t all be held at once. Reynolds never wanted a baby to be left alone with no one to hold them, so she decided to donate eight mamaRoos for the babies in the Cook Children’s NICU.

A mamaRoo^® is a mobile infant seat that makes very rhythmic, natural movements that simulate things like a car ride, tree swing, ocean waves, and a parent rocking their baby. The mamaRoo was recommended to Reynolds by a Child Life specialist who had seen them make a huge difference in comforting distressed babies.

NICU Child Life specialist, Lauren Driscoll said, “I have seen inconsolable babies be quickly calmed and soothed by the mamaRoo. I have had staff share how overjoyed they feel by the mamaRoo’s ability to calm those patients. This is an incredible resource for our patients and I know without a doubt it is contributing to better developmental care and faster recovery.”

The mamaRoos stay with the babies who would benefit most from them, until they no longer need them or they are able to go home. With only eight mamaRoos in the NICU, there are still babies who could use one. Inspired by the Reynolds family’s gift, the Woman’s Board of Cook Children’s recently made a gift to the NICU for mamaRoo-related items.

“We are placing a fabulous order of more mamaRoos, covers, newborn inserts and a couple of extra power cords,” said Driscoll.

A mamaRoo helps to simulate the fluid motions these NICU babies would feel in utero. They provide comfort to babies who need it most. These mamaRoos are used in over 250 hospitals worldwide.

“Each baby deserves the love of a mom and dad and if they cannot have that, I want to do what I can to soothe them,” said Reynolds. “And if I can't be there, I want the nurses to have an available mamaRoo to make them feel as good as they can feel. Each of these little miracles needs the warmth and love of a body holding him/her as often as possible.”