PHILANTHROPY
Employees Engage Our Community to Transform Care
Alison Estep was just 25 years old when she passed away. Her parents have raised more than $55,000 in her memory.
“We decided as a family that there is only one choice for us in our fundraising efforts—and that’s to give back to an organization that helps so many.”
Cincinnati Children’s wouldn’t be the global leader in pediatrics we are today without the hard work and dedication of our employee family. No matter our role, we all play a part in helping kids get and stay healthy so they can reach their full potential.
As a nonprofit hospital and research center, we rely on the generosity of donors to support our mission. In turn, many of our clinicians and staff are inspired by what they see and experience at work each and every day—so much so that they decide to go above and beyond to invest in our vision of a brighter, healthier future for children.
Outside of their typical workday, they volunteer their time and their charitable dollars to help advance bold new ideas and provide world-class care.
Patty Estep, a customer service representative who assists families with outpatient surgical visits, is one such employee. For Patty, working at Cincinnati Children’s is more than a job. It’s a calling that helps her honor and cherish the memory of her daughter, Allison.
“We serve patients from all different backgrounds and cultures, providing specialized care for kids who are very ill or suffer from extremely rare conditions,” Patty says. “After we lost Allison, we decided as a family that there is only one choice for us in our fundraising efforts—and that’s to give back to an organization that helps so many.”
When Allison passed away unexpectedly at just 25 years old from a rare viral infection that attacked her heart, her family, friends and co-workers were devastated by the sudden loss.
Known as “Big Al” to her loved ones, Allison cared deeply about making a difference in the world. And just like her mom, Allison worked at Cincinnati Children’s and was passionate about her career. She loved her work as a manager in Innovation Ventures, our center that plays a key role in facilitating the translation of research discoveries into improved clinical care for children.
“She really enjoyed her job. Helping improve care for the kids who need us was her passion, and it’s mine too,” Patty shares.
Community Support Gives Hope to Kids and Families
But it’s not just Patty who is making a difference through philanthropy. With the help of Allison’s dad, John, she engages family, friends and the community to help make an even greater impact for the kids and families who rely on us.
To celebrate Allison’s life and help her legacy of compassion live on, Patty hosts an annual dance to raise money through our community fundraising program, Giving Hope. The initial goal was to raise somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000.
In an outpouring of overwhelming love from the community, hundreds attended the first local fundraiser. The next year, the Esteps were shocked to find that they’d managed to raise more than $55,000 over the course of just two local events.
“Allison would be so happy that we’re remembering her by giving back to Cincinnati Children’s,” Patty says. “She was a very caring, bright and giving young lady, and we’ll continue to honor her while also helping other critically ill children receive the best care possible.”
Patty and John Estep
Philanthropy Fuels Innovative Care
After COVID-19 struck, the Esteps weren’t sure they’d be able to find any more success in their philanthropic efforts. But with the help of their strong community and a little creativity, they were able to stay safe and continue raising funds far beyond their initial goal.
They dedicated the funds raised by their community to our new Critical Care Building. To commemorate Allison, they named one of our new Cardiac Intensive Care Unit patient rooms in her honor.
As a member of our employee family and a mother who lost a child to a rare heart condition, Patty understands deeply that these gifts will help improve care for families in their darkest hours.
“Our hope is to make hospital stays here the best possible experience for kids and families while also keeping Allison’s memory alive,” Patty says. “If anyone is in the position to give, I’d recommend they give to the medical center. We’re doing so many great things here, not only to help children, but to help the community in which we serve.”
The Estep family