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At the annual Cleveland Clinic Children’s Derby Day Soirée on May 3, more than 500 dressed in their derby best came together and raised $3 million to support pediatric care and research.
Derby Day Soirée - presented by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Superstars, the Fedeli Family Foundation and the Scala Family Foundation – was held at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The event featured a viewing of the 151st Kentucky Derby and heartfelt stories of how event proceeds directly impact the life-changing work happening at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
“We are so grateful to everyone who donated to help Cleveland Clinic Children’s continue transforming the lives of pediatric patients,” said Rita Pappas, M.D., Interim Chief of Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “The generosity of attendees and other community members ultimately helps us treat kids locally, nationally and internationally from the routine to the rare.”
Derby Day Soirée is the signature fundraising event for Cleveland Clinic Children’s which has raised more than $20 million since its inception in 1990.
The evening included remarks from Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic CEO and President, and holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair, Beri Ridgeway, M.D., Executive Vice President and Enterprise Chief of Staff at Cleveland Clinic, and special tribute videos for Mario and Dana Morino who were recognized for their unwavering commitment to our mission.
The money raised helps support the latest advances in pediatric care, research in all the specialties provided at Cleveland Clinic Children's and innovative programs such as art and music therapy.
The 2026 Derby Day Soirée is scheduled for May 2. Follow @CleClinicKids on X for the latest information about Cleveland Clinic Children’s.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Cleveland Clinic Children’s supports 389 beds in four acute care hospitals and one post-acute specialty hospital. In addition, pediatric services are available at more than 50 outpatient clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. A staff of more than 400 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see more than one million pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for 13,000 children per year. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research, and education. Cleveland Clinic Children’s consistently ranks among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Visit us online at www.clevelandclinic.org/childrens and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandclinicchildrens.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 82,600 employees worldwide are more than 5,786 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,700 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,728-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2024, there were 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 112 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
