Raising Mott

The new U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital opened December 1, 2011

The opening of the new $754 million C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital at the University of Michigan Health System in December marks a major milestone in the continuing effort to evolve, transform and drive the future of children’s medicine, pregnancy and childbirth care. It also symbolizes the critical role that corporations and individuals can play in building a better, healthier, more-livable community through their philanthropic giving.

To date, $68.5 million has been raised for the new hospital through a variety of corporate-sponsored fund-raising events and private donations.

Over the past two years, the U-M football team’s annual Spring Game has generated more than $650,000 in proceeds, which have been donated to support construction of the new 1.1 million square foot, state-of-the-art facility. Corporate partners, including PNC, Terumo Medical Corp. and Meijer Inc., teamed up with the U-M Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in April to host the early season scrimmage, which was open to the public. In May, the fifth annual Brian Griese/Steve Hutchinson/Charles Woodson Champions for Children’s Hearts golf weekend swung into action, raising $1.8 million for the new hospital and the Michigan Congenital Heart Program. Delta Air Lines and Lexus of Ann Arbor were co-presenting sponsors, providing support for this event.

In June, Ann Arbor closed a stretch of Main Street between William and Liberty streets for The Event on Main, a one-night fund-raiser to support the building of the new hospital. Mainstreet Ventures closed three of its restaurants, The Chop House, Gratzi and Real Seafood Company, to host event attendees in a progressive dinner, complete with dessert and dancing on Main Street. Event supporters also included Underground Printing, Verizon Wireless, Accenture and the Benard L. Maas Foundation among others. Over the past two years, The Event on Main has raised more than $350,000 for Mott and Von Voigtlander.

“We feel strongly about what Mott is doing and support their core values,” said Kevin Gudejko, director of operations at Mainstreet Ventures. “The Event on Main gave us an opportunity to partner with them on a fund-raiser for the new hospital.”

In September, the Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital hosted the Women’s Power Breakfast at the North Campus Research Complex on the University’s North Campus. The event, honoring national Women’s Health and Fitness Day, drew 420 donors and friends and raised $25,000 to support cervical-cancer screenings in underserved communities. The money will allow 500 women in the Flint, Ann Arbor and Detroit areas to receiving screening free of charge.

The list of corporate and individual sponsors who have stepped up to the plate to help fund construction of the newest addition to the University’s and the community’s comprehensive medical facilities is long, and still growing. However, additional philanthropic giving is needed.

“We’re so grateful for the support of so many corporate sponsors who have supported our efforts during the opening of the hospital,” said Alena Stocking, director of strategic initiatives in the U-M Office of Medical Development. “There are still many opportunities to get involved, as we work to finish our capital campaign and raise funds for hospital programs and research pertaining to children’s and women’s health. We are always looking for more partners who can help.”

More information: Contact Gene Skidmore, development associate in the U-M Office of Medical Development, at gskidz@umich.edu or 734-763-6154 or visit www.givetomott.org.