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Children’s Hospital New Orleans Launches Giving Krewes featuring patient kings and queens

The Founder’s Krewe of 1955 welcomes nearly 200 individuals, businesses and foundations

NEW ORLEANS – Coinciding with the beginning of Carnival Season, Children’s Hospital New Orleans Giving Krewes rolled for the first time Jan. 9, launching a new annual giving program with a special event for staff and patients that included a second line, music and king cake. Rolling for the first time, the inaugural Giving Krewe is comprised of more than 500 members and each krewe is led by a patient king and queen - The Krewe of Wonder (Queen Jamie Taylor), The Krewe of Joy (Queen Zoe Reed), The Krewe of Healing (King Dilon Dishon), The Krewe of Hope (Queen Scarlett Wood), The Krewe of Champions (King Ray “Speedy” Walker), The Krewe of Extraordinary (King John Schouest) and the Founder’s Krewe of 1955 (Queen Sophia Liriano).

Children’s Hospital’s Giving Krewes recognize and show appreciation for the generous community of supporters who help advance the hospital’s mission every year by contributing $1,000 or more. Whether giving through a signature event, making a gift to the hospital’s Kids Fund, supporting a specific program, service line or capital project, the Giving Krewes recognize all cumulative annual giving, and help Children’s honor and thank its donors.

“In 2023, more than 6,600 unique donors contributed $12.1 million to our vital mission,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “This generous support helps Children’s continue to provide expert care for every child regardless of his or her family’s ability to pay and ensures our ability to expand essential programs. Establishing our Giving Krewes helps us show gratitude for our supporters who are, and will continue to be, a vital part of our mission.”

Giving Krewe members whose lifetime contributions reach $100,000 are inducted into the Founder’s Krewe of 1955 in honor of the year that Children’s Hospital New Orleans first opened its doors. At the inaugural event, Children’s Hospital welcomed nearly 200 individuals, businesses and foundations into the Founders Krewe of 1955. Collectively, this krewe represents more than $100 million dollars in philanthropic support through the years.

“Since 1955, Children’s Hospital has had an unwavering commitment to provide the best care for all children,” said Stephen Hales, MD, member of the Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees, and lifelong annual donor. “Philanthropic support has always been a part of our story and will be even more important as we move forward with a bold vision to reach even more children and families out in the communities we serve, and to ensure access to the highest level of care is available when and where kids need it.”

To learn more about the Children’s Hospital Giving Krewes and ways to give, visit chnola.org/krewes.

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Children’s offers primary care services at 14 convenient locations and remotely via its Virtual Care for Kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org.





Alicia Vial