The Children’s Inn at NIH Breaks $1 Million at Annual Fundraiser

BETHESDA, MD (May 2, 2018) – The Children’s Inn at the NIH recently held its most successful “An Evening for Hope” Gala, raising a record $1,011,849. The sold-out event at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner drew a crowd of nearly 800 supporters from various sectors and industries, including more than 100 senior government executives. Attendees, including many NIH directors, celebrated the bravery of Inn residents and recognized the unique partnership between The Inn and NIH.

“We are overjoyed by the enthusiastic support we received from our donors, sponsors and volunteers,” said Jennie Lucca, CEO of The Children’s Inn at NIH. “The exceptional generosity shown by our supporters at An Evening for Hope significantly impacts the children and families who stay at The Inn during difficult times. While dedicated NIH researchers work to solve medical mysteries and bring hope to these families, The Inn provides a supportive environment for kids and their families during their medical journeys.”

Notable speakers included the National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Norman Sharpless, FOX 5 anchor and television personality Tony Perkins and NIH Principal Deputy Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak. Inn resident Farrah and her father Andy Mackenzie, who have stayed at The Inn for more than 130 nights, shared that they could not imagine treatment at the NIH without being able to come home to The Inn. Inn resident Jordan and his mother Mayra Soto shared how the warm community of fellow resident families makes a huge difference in their lives and that these bonds would not be possible without The Inn. Additionally, Gala attendees enjoyed a special video transmission from astronauts onboard the International Space Station who praised the phenomenal work that is done at NIH.

Net proceeds help The Children’s Inn provide ‘A Place Like Home’ to more than 1,700 families of children with rare or critical illnesses every year as they participate in clinical research trials at the NIH. Since opening in 1990, The Children’s Inn has served over 13,000 children and their families from all 50 states and 94 countries. Every service provided by The Inn is free of charge regardless of the amount of time families spend at The Inn or how often they return.

Representatives from major federal health agencies were in attendance, including NIH, The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense Health Agency (DHA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and NASA.

For event photos, visit The Inn’s Flickr page and for more information on the Gala, visit childrensinn.org/eveningforhope. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @TheChildrensInn, #EveningForHope, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheChildrensInn.

About The Children’s Inn at NIH
The Children’s Inn at NIH is a private nonprofit with the mission to provide “a place like home” at no charge for families of children and young adults participating in clinical research at the world-renowned National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Since opening in 1990, more than 13,000 families from all 50 states and 94 countries have found a second home at The Inn, helping advance medical discoveries and improve the health of people all over the world. For more information about The Children’s Inn at NIH, please visit childrensinn.org or call 301-496-5672.

Press Contacts:
Lauren Horn
Sage Communications (For The Inn)
703-207-0941
[email protected]