Ward’s Foundation

08/21/2026

Tickets are limited, so don’t miss your chance to join us for Mahjong with Meaning! 🀄🩷

Social tickets are still available and include a delicious dinner, drinks, and plenty of time to mix and mingle. New to mahjong? Visit our optional beginner lesson table and learn how to play from gurus Amy and Dawn with My Mahj Girls.

Gather your friends and reserve your spot today!

08/20/2026

Back-to-school season can bring excitement, but for students living with a rare disease, it can also bring uncertainty, exhaustion and challenges others may not see.

Their school day may look different. It might include medication, mobility supports, extra breaks, missed classes, dietary needs or unpredictable symptoms. Sometimes, simply making it through the day is an achievement worth celebrating.

Friends and family can help make the transition easier by:

💙 Listening without judgment
💙 Learning about their needs
💙 Offering practical help and flexibility
💙 Including them even when plans need to change
💙 Respecting their boundaries and privacy
💙 Celebrating progress at their pace

A different back-to-school experience is still a meaningful one. With patience, understanding and the right support, every student can feel seen, included and empowered to thrive.

08/18/2026

A Rare Day Away was made for them! 🎢

For so many of the siblings who joined us at Carowinds on Sunday, it was their first time ever having a day that was just for them. No appointments. No waiting rooms. No worries. Just rides, lunch, laughter, and the reminder that they are seen, celebrated, and so deeply appreciated.

One family captured the whole day in a single moment: the look on their kids' faces when they found out this day was made just for them. That's why we do this.

Siblings carry so much. They deserve a day that carries them right back.

To every family who joined us, thank you for trusting us with your day. And to the siblings who made it unforgettable, this one was always yours.

08/13/2026

Ward’s Foundation is proud to support the important work of the Ward Winslett Center for Rare Diseases at Levine Children’s and proud to celebrate Atrium Health Rare Diseases on its designation as a Rare Disease Center of Excellence by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)!

Spanning from the Ward Winslett Center at Levine Children’s to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, this recognition honors the extraordinary work of physicians, researchers, nurses, genetic counselors, therapists and specialists; and the resilient children and families at the heart of their work.

We are grateful to partner with and support this incredible community as they advance compassionate care, meaningful research and brighter possibilities for families facing rare diseases, right here at home. 🩵

08/12/2026

Congratulations to Atrium Health and Levine Children's (including the Ward Winslett Center for Rare Diseases) on being designated a NORD Center of Excellence! An incredible milestone and testament to the dedication of the providers across the system who serve rare patients and families!

Every child living with a rare disease has a unique journey that deserves a team ready to support every step along the way❤️

We're honored to share that Atrium Health Rare Diseases has been designated a Rare Disease Center of Excellence by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).

Spanning from the Ward Winslett Center for Complex and Rare Diseases at Levine Children’s Hospital to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, families across our communities have greater access to nationally recognized expertise, coordinated care and growing opportunities for research and innovation, right here at home.

Behind this milestone are extraordinary teams of physicians, researchers, nurses, genetic counselors, therapists and specialists who work together every day to care for the whole child. Their commitment is matched only by the resilience of the children and families they care for, whose strength and perseverance continue to inspire this work.

To learn more about what this designation means for children and families facing rare diseases, visit: https://bit.ly/4qaaVYL

08/10/2026

Registration is officially LIVE for the Gift of GRACE Golf Tournament! ⛳️

We hope you can join us on Monday, November 16 at Cedarwood Country Club for a day of friendly competition on the course to help raise funds for GRACE - Grants, Resources, And Continued Education.

The Gift of GRACE Golf Tournament honors Grace Bensch, the daughter of Kaitlin and Jonathan Bensch, who was born with a rare disease. The event will benefit Ward’s Foundation and other local non-profits that help families with medically complex children.🩷

Come enjoy lunch, a round of golf, dinner, awards and the chance to win some fabulous raffle prizes - all while benefitting a great cause!

🎟️ Head to our website to secure your ticket today or become a sponsor!

08/05/2026

When a child is diagnosed with a rare disease, life changes for the entire family. Parents become caregivers. Schedules revolve around appointments. Hospital visits become part of everyday life.

And siblings? They learn to be patient. They become helpers. They celebrate every milestone. They adapt to a life that often asks them to grow up just a little too soon.

Many siblings learn to put their own needs aside, becoming "the easy child" while their family focuses on the complex medical needs of their sibling. Yet their stories are often the ones left untold.

At Ward's Foundation, we believe those stories matter. That's why we created A Rare Day Away - a day dedicated to celebrating these incredible siblings with laughter, roller coasters, new friendships, and the chance to simply be kids.

🎟️ Last minute tickets are still available, so register today!

📅 Sunday, August 9, 2026
📍 Carowinds Amusement Park
🕛 12:00–3:00 PM (Park access all day!)

Lunch is provided, and up to two caregivers may attend. If you’re already registered, a “Know Before You Go” email will be sent soon!

08/03/2026

Sometimes the hardest parts of the rare disease journey are the feelings we keep to ourselves… Can you relate to any of these parents?

“I feel guilty when I need a break.”
"I still panic before every appointment, even when it's routine."
"I've learned to celebrate progress instead of perfection."
"I still compare my child to others, even though I know I shouldn't."
"I cry in the car so my kids don't see."
"I don't need advice. I need someone to listen."
"My child has taught me more about courage than anyone I know."

If you've ever felt this way, you're not alone.💙

Share your thoughts in stories or send an email to [email protected]. Your story may help another family feel a little less alone.

07/24/2026

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for Mahjong with Meaning! Swipe to learn more 💗

By sponsoring this incredible event, you'll not only gain meaningful visibility within our community, you'll help provide support and critical resources to families who need it most.

Link in bio or on our website!

07/23/2026

We know summer schedules can be hectic, so we’ve EXTENDED registration for A Rare Day Away! Spots are still available, so register today. We can’t wait to celebrate the Superhero Siblings 💙

📅 Sunday, August 9
🎢 Carowinds Amusement Park
🕛 12–3 PM (Park open 10 AM–9 PM)