Photo: Courtesy of Capes4Heroes
SAN FRANCISCO (July 25, 2019) – Last week, the staff at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute – doctors, nurses, health care providers, and administrators – held an epic, two-week-long fund-raiser to finance “super hero” capes for more than 53 pediatric patients.
Clinic staff supported the Capes4Heroes fund-raising drive last week at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute. From, left to right, are Grace Bermudez, Reagan Mendoz, and Wendy Jackson: Photo: Courtesy of the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute
Organized by Debbie Gee, RN, the Director of the Orthopaedic Institute, clinic staff united to fund capes for Capes4Heroes, a local, non-profit organization that creates personalized, hand-sewn capes for children with disabilities and/or life threatening illnesses.
Photo: Courtesy of the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute
Learning that there were 53 kids on the Capes4Heroes national wait-list to receive a one-of-a-kind cape, the Orthopaedic Institute set a modest goal of raising $360 with a bake sale, raffle and donation drive to fund 12 capes.
The fundraising activities turned into a two week-themed fundraiser culminating in a dress-up super hero day that exceeded everyone’s expectations with a well of donations that raised $1,590 to fund all of superheroes on the wait list.
Clinic staff supported the Capes4Heroes fund-raising drive last week at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute. From, left to right, are: Saroosh Khan, Tom Dealva, Maricar Garcia, Mai Phan, Amelia Arellano. Photo: UCSF Orthopaedic Institute
The team raised in total $2,010 and will be distributing more than 14 capes to children at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Family House, a not-for-profit organization providing temporary housing to families of seriously ill children receiving treatment UCSF.
“The capes make the children feel as if they have superpowers to overcome whatever their condition/challenge is,” Debbie said. “On the last day, Dr. Lattanza even challenged everyone to double down on their donation -- and people responded.”
“Whether it be a life threatening illness, disability, or life struggle, Capes4Heroes wants to recognize and empower the true heroes among us, those who showcase their strength and courage each day, by rewarding them with a superhero cape,” founder Barbara Casados states on the organization’s web site.
To date, Capes4Heroes has personalized and delivered more than 25,000 capes to children all over the U.S. Heroes receive their capes at superhero parties, camps, hospitals or just at home.
Photo: Courtesy of Capes4Heroes
“Thank you to everyone who supported this heroic effort,” Debbie added.
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