Rady Children's Hospital Foundation

Rady Children’s Centerstage

Centerstage is more than an event. It’s a powerful gathering of compassionate hearts united by one mission: protecting and nurturing the health of children in our San Diego community and beyond.

This year, Centerstage shines its spotlight on our tiniest and most vulnerable patients—babies in Rady Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs)—and the families who brave the journey alongside them. The evening will honor the extraordinary care and support that helps ensure every fragile baby has the best possible chance to thrive.

Become a Benefactor

Dear Friends,

Every day, families arrive at Rady Children’s NICU, gripped by the fear that their newborn’s earliest days will become a fight for survival. Instead of going home, they begin life surrounded by machines, uncertainty and fear.

During those fearful hours, parents are haunted by the question: Why my baby? It’s a question that no one should have to face alone. With you by our side, we can ensure that NICU families have the care and hope they need for the journey ahead.

Please join us for Centerstage: A Spotlight on NICU. We look forward to spending this wonderful evening with you.

With gratitude,

Bridgett & Craig Brown

Centerstage Co-chairs

Susan & Paul Hering

Centerstage Co-chairs

Hosts

Kim & Glenn Cripe, D.C.

Anjie & Patrick A. Frias, MD

Honorary Committee

Bridgett and Craig Brown, co-chairs
Susan and Paul Hering, co-chairs
Remley and Doug Arthur
Lisette and Mick Farrell
Linda and David Hale
Katy and Brock Heckmann
Gail and Doug Hutcheson
Kerri and Hugh Leslie
Allegra and Ron Morabito
Lisa and Michael Peckham
Jeanne and Ted Roth
Angelica and Masud Sarwary
Shauna and Phil Schneider
Deborah and Byron Scott
Jennifer Singer and Ryan Exline
Jackie and Nick Tait
Anjuli and John Timmer
Rowena and Marc Treitler
Natalie and Trevor Walker
Vanessa Wertheim

Benefactor Opportunities

From fragile beginnings to bright futures: Your support fuels every step.

Benefactors like you will allow us to expand our family-centered, comprehensive care model across all of Rady Children’s NICUs.

This includes launching a dedicated NICU lactation program that promotes bonding and nutrition from the earliest moments. Enhancing infant development and connection through specialized equipment. Improving access to NICU follow-up programs for continued care and resources beyond discharge. Ensuring every family receives compassionate, expert care.

PREMIER | $100,000 (FMV $10,000)

  • Two tables for 20 guests with priority seating
  • Premier Benefactor listing or logo at event
  • Luxury booth seating and personalized table service

LEAD | $50,000 (FMV $4,250)

  • Table for 10 guests with priority seating
  • Lead Benefactor listing or logo at event
  • Luxury booth seating

SUPPORTING | $25,000 (FMV $3,250)

  • Table for 10 guests with preferred seating
  • Supporting Benefactor listing or logo at event

CONTRIBUTING | $12,500 (FMV $3,250)

  • Table for 10 guests
  • Contributing Benefactor recognition at event

This special evening is made possible through table purchases and individual philanthropic gifts; no other fundraising will take place during the event. All proceeds will benefit Rady Children’s NICU programs, services and research.

To become a benefactor, or for more information, please contact Heather Imeson at himeson@rchsd.org or 858-966-7901.

Become a Benefactor

Rady Children’s NICU

Innovative and Compassionate Care for Babies and Families

Sometimes, in the first few hours after being born, a baby’s tiny body struggles to sustain itself. These newborns require immediate, specialized care in a compassionate, state-of-the-art environment designed specifically for their urgent needs. Just as critically, their parents need support, guidance and reassurance during these uncertain moments.

Inside Rady Children’s NICUs, cutting-edge medicine meets unmatched expertise. While our renowned neonatal clinical teams deliver responsive therapies, specialists like pediatric cardiologists, neurologists and surgeons are there day and night, ready to step in the second a baby’s condition changes. For parents, this means that no matter how quickly things turn, there’s always someone right there who knows exactly what to do.

At the heart of our program is an unwavering commitment to comprehensive, family-centered care. Every family is met with open arms and holistic care. They receive personalized medical guidance and emotional support to help them navigate their NICU journey. This tailored, wraparound approach ensures each family feels confident and prepared for life beyond the NICU.

Philanthropy empowers the lifesaving neonatal medicine found in Rady Children’s NICU locations across our region, and enables its expert teams to set the standard for high-quality, comprehensive NICU services for tiny patients everywhere.

By the Numbers (2024):

6 NICUs in San Diego and Riverside Counties operated by Rady Children’s

2,132 babies admitted to Rady Children’s NICUs in 2024

800 infants transported to our Level 4 NICU from across the western U.S. by Rady Children’s specialized neonatal transport team

310 neonatal surgeries performed

Rady Children’s NICU

Innovative and Compassionate Care for Babies and Families

Sometimes, in the first few hours after being born, a baby’s tiny body struggles to sustain itself. These newborns require immediate, specialized care in a compassionate, state-of-the-art environment designed specifically for their urgent needs. Just as critically, their parents need support, guidance and reassurance during these uncertain moments.

Inside Rady Children’s NICUs, cutting-edge medicine meets unmatched expertise. While our renowned neonatal clinical teams deliver responsive therapies, specialists like pediatric cardiologists, neurologists and surgeons are there day and night, ready to step in the second a baby’s condition changes. For parents, this means that no matter how quickly things turn, there’s always someone right there who knows exactly what to do.

At the heart of our program is an unwavering commitment to comprehensive, family-centered care. Every family is met with open arms and holistic care. They receive personalized medical guidance and emotional support to help them navigate their NICU journey. This tailored, wraparound approach ensures each family feels confident and prepared for life beyond the NICU.

Philanthropy empowers the lifesaving neonatal medicine found in Rady Children’s NICU locations across our region, and enables its expert teams to set the standard for high-quality, comprehensive NICU services for tiny patients everywhere.

By the Numbers (2024):

  • 2,132 babies admitted to Rady Children’s NICUs in 2024
  • 800 infants transported to our Level 4 NICU from across the western U.S. by Rady Children’s specialized neonatal transport team
  • 310 neonatal surgeries performed
  • 8 NICUs in San Diego and Riverside Counties operated or staffed by Rady Children’s

Rady Children’s NICU

Innovative and Compassionate Care for Babies and Families

Sometimes, in the first few hours after being born, a baby’s tiny body struggles to sustain itself. These newborns require immediate, specialized care in a compassionate, state-of-the-art environment designed specifically for their urgent needs. Just as critically, their parents need support, guidance and reassurance during these uncertain moments.

Inside Rady Children’s NICUs, cutting-edge medicine meets unmatched expertise. While our renowned neonatal clinical teams deliver responsive therapies, specialists like pediatric cardiologists, neurologists and surgeons are there day and night, ready to step in the second a baby’s condition changes. For parents, this means that no matter how quickly things turn, there’s always someone right there who knows exactly what to do.

At the heart of our program is an unwavering commitment to comprehensive, family-centered care. Every family is met with open arms and holistic care. They receive personalized medical guidance and emotional support to help them navigate their NICU journey. This tailored, wraparound approach ensures each family feels confident and prepared for life beyond the NICU.

Philanthropy empowers the lifesaving neonatal medicine found in Rady Children’s NICU locations across our region, and enables its expert teams to set the standard for high-quality, comprehensive NICU services for tiny patients everywhere.

By the Numbers (2024):

  • 2,132 babies admitted to Rady Children’s NICUs in 2024
  • 800 infants transported to our Level 4 NICU from across the western U.S. by Rady Children’s specialized neonatal transport team
  • 310 neonatal surgeries performed
  • 8 NICUs in San Diego and Riverside Counties operated or staffed by Rady Children’s