2015 Carousel Ball raises over $1.2M to support Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's (CHOP) 2015 Carousel Ball raised more than $1.2 million to support The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care.

A signature fundraiser for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia since 1954, the Carousel Ball is a can't-miss event for dedicated CHOP supporters. Held on October 24, this year's black-tie event provided guests an exclusive look the new Buerger Center. 650 donors, clinicians, families and friends of the hospital socialized in the two-story, glass-walled lobby. Guests then moved upstairs for the latter part of the evening for dinner, dancing and stunning panoramic views of the city.

"Each year, the Carousel Ball has made it possible for CHOP's clinicians and researchers to advance their work and discover new treatments and cures," said Madeline Bell, president and CEO of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "As the hospital turns 160 this year, we are excited to celebrate the building that is also the beneficiary of this year's event, The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care. We thank all of those whose generosity will help us expand our legacy of family-centered care here for years to come."

The Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care is a Silver LEED-certified building, designed to provide the ideal patient experience. More than $96 million, anchored by a $50 million gift from the Buerger family, was contributed by donors and CHOP employees to create the state-of-the-art environment intended to ease stress for visiting patients and families. Much of the care in the Center is offered through groups of related specialties sharing clinical space, like neighborhoods. The arrangement is designed to facilitate clinician and staff collaboration, as well as simplify visits for patients and their families. Significant building features include:

• Spacious, natural and light-filled waiting rooms for families, featuring "Wait. Play. Learn." areas;
• A building-wide theme – "Children in Motion" – that utilizes images to promote a culture of wellness and activity, as well as enhance patient navigation;
• A multipurpose roof garden for both recreation and rehabilitation sessions;
• A landscaped, outdoor garden plaza to provide a safe, open area for play, entertainment, reflection and emotional recharging.