We have been closely following the evolving situation with coronavirus (COVID-19), and we have decided in accordance with hospital guidance to cancel the Comer Children’s Bright Night Benefit that was to be held on Sunday, April 26. At the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, the health and safety of our patients, their families, and the community is our utmost priority, and we appreciate your support of this decision.

The funding that is raised by this annual event is critically important to our patients since it provides for programs that are only supported through philanthropy. Though we are cancelling the event – we are continuing the fundraising!

We ask that you consider making a gift at one of the levels below to ensure the continuation of care programs for our patients.

• $100 buys two NüRoo shirts, which provide comfortable skin-to-skin contact for mothers to nurture their babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
• $250 buys 75 books in the Child Life Literacy program to help children develop and learn.
• $500 buys 20 “Shadow Buddy” dolls for children undergoing treatment. The doll is used as a teaching tool and to help mitigate fear and stress related to a child’s hospital stay.
• $1,000 buys 40 booster seats for children treated in the emergency department who do not have proper car seats.
• $2,500 buys 7,500 meals for patient families in need through the Feed1st Program, formally known as the Comer Food Pantry.
• $5,000 buys a Vecta sensory cart, which lets children create soothing interactive environments to distract them from stress or pain.
• $10,000 supports 25 families with free, legal representation to advance patient health, improve child and family well-being, lower health system costs, and allows medical staff to focus more time on direct patient care

This event is our only annual fundraiser for our patient care programs. If you purchased a ticket to the benefit or provided sponsorship support, we hope you will consider it a donation to Comer Children’s. We will be reaching directly to all those who have made purchases.

 We are planning more ways you can virtually support Comer Children’s in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned.

 If you have any questions about the event, or would like to make a gift of support over the phone, please contact Comer Children’s Bright Night Benefit Manager Lexi Fiedler at (773) 702-4873 or lfiedler@mbsd.uchicago.edu.