The Red Balloon League
From nurses with super compassion and parent advocates with key intuition to researchers with incredible persistence, our team of heroes has the courage to act boldly when others won’t. They provide solutions when others can’t. And they never stop fighting to defend and protect our patients. Together, their individual superpowers are an unstoppable force under the Red Balloon League.
TOTAL RAISED IN 2021:
Includes annual giving, corporate gifts, individual giving, planned gifts and contingent gifts.
MEET OUR 2021 HEROES
PATIENT:
ZAZA, age 8, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
SUPERPOWER:
Running fast and showing cancer who’s boss.
They gathered in their blue scrubs waving handmade signs that read “Way to go ZaZa!” in blue and purple marker. The “Rocky” theme song blasted through speakers READ MORE…
TEAM MEMBER:
JOSEPH CANTU, RN, Children’s Medical Center Plano
SUPERPOWER:
Compassion and the ability to pivot in real-time based on patient and family needs.
He called himself the popsicle specialist. A volunteer in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at Children’s Health℠, Joseph toted icy purple and orange pops READ MORE…
PATIENT FAMILY:
THE WOLEBEN FAMILY
SUPERPOWER:
Hope. We survive on hope.
Doug and Kasey sat at a conference table as a team of doctors broke the news: Their then 18-month-old son had a rare disease that was causing him to fall and be unable to get up. A few days earlier, Kasey had rushed their son, Will, to the Emergency Room at Children’s Medical Center Plano READ MORE…
PARENT ADVOCATE:
GABRIELLE MCDOWELL, mom to 4-year-old heart transplant patient, Harrison
SUPERPOWER:
My intuition. A mother knows when her child is not OK.
Gabrielle climbed into her son’s hospital bed, stroking his curly blonde hair that she’d trimmed herself earlier that day. READ MORE…
MEET THE REST OF the 2021 League
Corporate Partner:
MANDY AUSTIN, Dallas Market President, Bank of Texas
SUPERPOWER:
Kindness. You can change somebody’s day with a little bit of kindness. READ MORE…
TEAM MEMBER:
CATRENA GILBERT, Housekeeping, Environmental Services
SUPERPOWER:
I always have a smile on my face and laugh with everyone. D MORE…
Team Member:
SUZETTE RIVERA, Concierge, Children’s Medical Center Dallas
SUPERPOWER:
Helping patient families and visitors feel welcomed with my smile and personal customer service.
Team Member:
CHRISTOPHER COLLINS, Security, Children’s Medical Center Plano
SUPERPOWER:
Bringing smiles, laughter and unity to our patients and team members.
TEAM MEMBER:
TRACY KILLGORE, Intake Coordinator, Our Children’s House
SUPERPOWER:
Giving hope to parents that their kids will be ok.
VOLUNTEERS:
RANDY & DEBBIE JACOBS, Volunteer Services, Children’s Medical Center Plano
SUPERPOWER:
Encouragement through fun.
Researcher:
DR. DIANA CASTRO, Pediatric Neurologist, Children’s Medical Center Dallas
SUPERPOWER:
Being a good listener and trusting my families.