Grateful Family Keeps Hope Strong at Lovin’ Cup Spring Benefit
Mason Mitchell has remained in the spotlight since he was featured as one of five Golisano Children’s Hospital Miracle Kids in 2008. The Mitchell family was inspired to give back to the hospital following Mason’s successful treatment for an extremely rare condition known as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In four years, the Keeping Hope Strong Benefit, held in Mason’s honor, has raised more than $55,100 for Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Funds raised at the benefit have helped Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center to meet a specific need each year. In 2008, the Mitchells’ support helped renovate a family room in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – where the Mitchells spent much of their time during Mason’s first few months of life. Funds raised in 2009 and 2010 helped to purchase pediatric laparoscopic surgical equipment, state-of-the-art tools that are safer and less invasive for children, for the Pediatric Surgical Suite. Now, the Mitchell family is hoping to meet their $50,000 goal to purchase a pediatric anesthesia monitor, to help pediatric surgeons provide children with the most efficient monitoring during surgical procedures.
“The passion that the Mitchell family has for helping the Children’s Hospital is so incredible,” said Michael Fahy, assistant director of Advancement at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “They truly care about making a difference, and their long-term commitment really shows how much it means to them.”
This year’s Keeping Hope Strong Benefit begins 3 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Lovin’ Cup, located at 300 Park Point Drive at RIT. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature live music from John Akers, raffles, and a live auction beginning at 7 p.m. Raffle tickets are $3 each or five for $10 and can be purchased at the event. For $25, attendees can get five raffle tickets, a beer and a chance to be entered into the 50/50 raffle. These can be purchased in advance or at the door.
For more information, to purchase tickets in advance or to learn how to help, please call Despina and Scott Mitchell at (585) 703-6088.