PITTSBURGH — A record-setting community fundraising effort is poised to shape the future of pediatric healthcare after UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation announced the successful conclusion of its five-year “This Moment: Put a Child’s Future First” campaign.
The campaign concluded June 30 after raising more than $250 million—well beyond its original $200 million goal—making it the largest fundraising initiative in the Foundation’s history. Nearly 100,000 donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community supporters contributed to the campaign, underscoring the region’s commitment to improving the lives of children facing serious medical challenges.
According to the Foundation, the campaign was designed to strengthen pediatric research, expand access to advanced clinical care, improve patient and family experiences, and invest in community health initiatives that address disparities while improving long-term outcomes.
“The dollars raised through this campaign are a testament to how deeply Pittsburgh cares about its kids, as well as children who travel here from around the nation and the world for life-changing care,” said Rachel Petrucelli, president of UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We are fortunate to have a world-class children’s hospital in our city, and the support of generous donors empowers the hospital to elevate care to the next level, giving kids and families hope.”
The Foundation said the campaign reflects a broad community effort rather than the work of a single institution. Families, individual donors, charitable organizations, and corporate partners all played important roles in creating resources that will continue benefiting children for years to come.
Among the campaign’s most significant accomplishments is support for the hospital’s new Heart Institute, a project intended to provide state-of-the-art facilities for children with complex cardiac conditions while enhancing the experience of patients and their families.
“The physicians, nurses, and staff at UPMC Children’s are best-in-class, and donor support of This Moment fuels their work,” said Diane Hupp, president of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She noted that donor investments help provide modern technologies and patient-centered environments that allow caregivers to continue raising the standard of pediatric care.
Campaign funding also supports groundbreaking medical research aimed at discovering new treatments for childhood illnesses, expanding specialized services throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond, and addressing barriers that prevent some families from accessing quality healthcare.
Beyond the numbers, Foundation leaders emphasized that every contribution represents a vote of confidence in healthier futures for children.
Corporate partners likewise viewed their participation as an investment in the broader community. Greg Williams, co-founder, president and CEO of Acrisure, said the company’s support reflects its commitment to helping UPMC Children’s accelerate research, advance clinical innovation, and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.
Perhaps the campaign’s greatest impact is reflected through families whose lives have already been transformed.
Andrea Misencik, whose daughter Nora survived childhood cancer, described how difficult moments during treatment eventually became part of a larger story of hope through the Foundation’s work. She expressed gratitude for the generosity of donors whose support ensures future families receive the same opportunities for healing that her daughter experienced.
Stories like Nora’s illustrate that philanthropy often reaches far beyond buildings or medical equipment. Every dollar invested helps physicians pursue new discoveries, provides families with emotional and practical support during lengthy hospital stays, and expands opportunities for children who depend on highly specialized care.
As healthcare organizations across the country face growing demand for pediatric services, campaigns like This Moment demonstrate how communities can work together to strengthen healthcare systems while investing in the next generation.
The campaign also reinforces the importance of charitable giving as a catalyst for innovation. Philanthropic support frequently provides hospitals with the flexibility to launch new programs, adopt emerging technologies, and pursue research initiatives that ultimately improve patient outcomes.
“The success of this campaign reminds us that extraordinary things happen when a community chooses compassion over complacency,” said Bruce Petillo, founder of Heartitude. “Every gift—large or small—became part of a much bigger story, helping children receive not only world-class medical care but also renewed hope. That’s Heartitude in action.”
Although the campaign has officially concluded, its influence is only beginning. The investments made today will continue advancing pediatric medicine, supporting families, and creating healthier futures for children across the region and beyond.
For families walking through hospital doors during life’s most difficult moments, the generosity of nearly 100,000 supporters stands as a powerful reminder that they are not facing those challenges alone.