Dear Friend of Hasbro Children’s Hospital,
I am writing to let you know that, in consultation with several supporters and Lifespan leadership, I have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Hasbro Children’s Hospital Heroes Ball which had tentatively been rescheduled to August 2020. The COVID-19 crisis has placed an unprecedented set of demands on Lifespan, the state, our employees, and our patients. As a result of the extensive changes at the Rhode Island Convention Center to create—under Lifespan’s leadership—a 600-bed alternative care surge hospital, the facility will not be available for any large-scale events in the foreseeable future. Additionally, it seems unlikely at this point that any large-scale gatherings will be allowed in Rhode Island over the next several months. Both factors led me to make this difficult decision.
The Heroes Ball is our largest annual fundraiser benefiting Hasbro Children’s and has become the signature fundraising event for children in this state. The money raised each year from your generosity is a critical factor in our ability to support our children and their families during times of illness as well as in health. This year was poised to be a record-breaker of dollars raised as we were spotlighting the revised and expansive world-class efforts of our children’s cancer program under the leadership of Dr. Rishi Lulla.
During this difficult time, Hasbro Children’s needs you — our supporters, contributors, and advocates — more than ever.
So how can you help? I ask that you strongly consider re-designating your ticket purchase or sponsorship gift to the Heroes Ball to a charitable donation in support of Hasbro Children's Hospital’s greatest needs. Additional donations during this critical time are also welcome. Your unrestricted gift will be a donation and eligible for a 100% tax deduction. For our sponsors, as a thank you for your continued support, we have revised our sponsorship benefits to reflect a robust offering of recognition opportunities.
As a supporter of this event, I understand you may have questions. Someone from our team will be in touch with you in the coming days, but, in the meantime, please contact Christina Haas at chaas@lifespan.org or 401-444-7494.
I would like to extend a special thanks to our gala event committee, particularly, our event chairs Deanna and Scott Donnelly and co-chairs Melisa Verrecchia and Andy Marr, and Bob Vincent, Chair of the Rhode Island Hospital Foundation Board—they have all been tireless advocates for our children’s hospital over the years. Also, a note of thanks to all our families, volunteers and supporters that worked tirelessly this past year to plan a world class program.
In closing, I want to assure everyone that we plan to be back with this event bigger and better than ever in 2021! In the meantime, thank you in advance for your outstanding support during this very critical time in the history of our hospital and community.
In the steadfast pursuit of excellence, I remain,
Timothy J. Babineau, MD
President and CEO, Lifespan
Important information for all 2020 Heroes Ball sponsors and ticket holders:
Although we will miss gathering to celebrate and support our amazing children’s hospital, there are ways we can work together to raise critical funds. Please consider re-designating your ticket purchase or sponsorship gift to the Heroes Ball to a charitable donation in support of Hasbro Children's Hospital’s greatest needs. Your unrestricted gift will be 100% tax deductible.
Please submit the online sponsor and ticket designation form to identify how you would us to proceed with your sponsorship/ticket purchase.
Proceeds from the Heroes Ball support the hospital’s areas of greatest need, including programs that provide a healing and nurturing environment for our patients and their families. Without philanthropy, many of these programs, such as Child Life and the Healing Arts, would simply not exist.
The 2020 fund-a-need will support pediatric hematology/oncology and the transformation of the fifth floor of the hospital, where inpatient cancer care takes place. Children with cancer often have long hospital stays and experience multiple hospitalizations during their treatment. Your support will enhance their “home away from home” experience while also providing funds to advance knowledge through clinical research and develop important survivorship services. With your help, we will better understand and manage childhood cancers while providing hope to the children and families who rely on us for their care.
If you would like to support the pediatric hematology/oncology fund you can click here. Thank you.