Team Lurie Children's

08/27/2026

Over the past four years, the Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple Youth Chess Team has engaged more than 250 young participants through its volunteer-led chess program and raised nearly $4,200 to support pediatric cancer research at Lurie Children's. Led by student volunteer Justin Zhang, the team has shown how young people can use their talents and leadership to make a meaningful difference in their community.

Thank you to Justin, the team's volunteers, and everyone who participated in making this gift possible. 💙♟️

08/26/2026

Rileigh is proud to be a nurse on Floor 20 at Lurie Children's, where every day she's inspired by the incredible resilience, strength, and hope of her patients and their families. Their courage has not only shaped the nurse she is today it has inspired her to continue her education and pursue a PhD in Nursing, with a dissertation focused on improving symptom management for children living with chronic disease.

Her patients have challenged her to do better, be better, and now, to take on the challenge of running the Chicago Marathon.

Rileigh is running with the Transplant Troopers, a team dedicated to bringing comfort and joy to the children on Floor 20. While the unit doesn't often receive designated donations, the nurses and CNAs go above and beyond to make each child's stay a little brighter from supporting initiatives like the Christmas Pajama Drive to finding meaningful ways to bring smiles during some of life's hardest moments.

This marathon is her way of giving back to the patients who have given her so much.

In 2026, Rileigh will defend her dissertation and earn her PhD in Nursing—an accomplishment she credits to the unwavering inspiration and encouragement she's received from her Floor 20 family, including the patients who have forever changed her life.

As she approaches her 30th birthday, she's also running to prove something to herself: that she can do hard things. But if there's one thing she's certain of, it's that she'll never be as strong as the children she's running for.

08/24/2026

08/19/2026

Nearly two years ago, Katya joined the team at Lurie Children's, and the experience has profoundly shaped both her career and her life. Throughout her time at the hospital, she's had the privilege of caring for countless children and families whose resilience has forever changed her perspective.

As an inpatient nurse, she was fortunate to serve as a primary nurse for several patients, walking alongside them as they healed and overcame incredible challenges. One of the moments she'll never forget was receiving a handwritten thank-you note from a patient, a reminder that she became a nurse to make a meaningful impact in her community.

Now in the Emergency Department, every shift brings new stories and opportunities to care for a diverse community. One memory that stands out is taking extra time to help a bedbound patient feel like herself again by giving her a bath, gently brushing out her hair, and braiding it. The smile on her patient's face and the tears in her eyes were a powerful reminder that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness leave the biggest impact.

08/14/2026

Batter up for a day of fun and impact!

Join Chicagoland Roy Hobbs Baseball on August 29 at Ozinga Field in Crestwood for a Charity Baseball Game benefiting Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Enjoy exciting games, a pre-game concert, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

🎟️ Tickets: $10 in advance | $15 at the gate
👶 Children under 3 are free

Get your tickets today: https://www.royhobbschicagoland.com/teams/...

Thank you to Chicagoland Roy Hobbs Baseball and everyone helping make a difference for Lurie Children’s patients and families.

08/12/2026

Ethan's running with Team Lurie Children's in honor of one of his best friends, Olivia. Olivia received care from the incredible oncology team at Lurie Children's, and she always spoke so highly of the compassionate staff who supported her throughout her journey. Every mile he runs will be in her memory.

He's also running in honor of his parents, Dr. Steven Lestrud and Julie Lestrud, who have dedicated more than 30 years of their careers to caring for children at Lurie Children's. Their commitment to the hospital, along with Olivia's inspiring story, makes this marathon deeply personal and meaningful.

Every mile is for Olivia, his parents, and the children and families who rely on Lurie Children's every day.

08/11/2026

Willie’s Warriors recently hosted their annual Celebration of Life fundraiser in honor of Wilhelmina “Willie” and raised an amazing $4,537.61 for the NICU at Lurie Children’s.

With the support of dedicated volunteers, generous donors, talented musicians, local businesses, and community members, the event brought people together to celebrate Willie’s life while helping future NICU families receive the care and support they need.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful day possible and for continuing to honor Willie’s legacy through generosity and community! 💙

08/10/2026

Franziska and her friends founded the IBD and Chronic Conditions Awareness Club atLincoln Park High School to highlight the impact of invisible illnesses, inspired by their own personal experiences.

Realizing how many of their peers were quietly navigating similar health challenges, they wanted to create a space where students could connect, feel understood, and be empowered.

Through their Instagram page and various fundraising initiatives, the club works to educate the community and promote greater awareness. For their most recent project, they chose to raise money for the Lurie Children’s GI Department.

They successfully raised $587 by selling handmade bracelets and visiting other schools, like the German International School of Chicago to present on the importance of increasing awareness for IBD.

Their mission is to speak up to make the invisible visible.