Children’s Hospital Foundation Gala raises $1.4 Million in Riverside

As the light faded outside the Riverside Convention Center, a different kind of glow took hold inside. The 33rd Annual Children's Hospital Foundation Gala, this year themed Garden of Dreams, unfolded in soft illumination and quiet spectacle: stilt walkers drifting through the crowd, an electric violinist threading sound through the room, and guests pausing beneath a canopy of curated lights and vines as if stepping into something imagined.

By the end of the night, the gathering had raised $1.4 million for Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

Senior Vice President and Administrator Peter Baker set the tone for the evening with a message of gratitude and vision. He thanked presenting sponsor Stater Bros. Charities and recognized community leaders.

Baker highlighted the hospital's continued momentum, including plans for the Children's Health Specialty Clinic, set to open in January, which will bring nearly 30 pediatric specialties together to improve access to care across the region. Advances in pediatric oncology and recognition from U.S. News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group further reflected the hospital's commitment to world-class care.

The evening celebrated individuals whose dedication has transformed pediatric care and the lives of countless children:

• Shirley N. Pettis Award: Dona Nixon, for her outstanding dedication to children
• Nancy B. Varner Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Scott, for a lifetime of service and impact
• Dr. Leonard L. Bailey Outstanding Clinician Award: Dr. Yvonne Fanous, honoring more than four decades of leadership in pediatric allergy, pulmonary, and immunologic care, and her mentorship of thousands of physicians
• Hometown Hero Award: Dorothy Clark Brooks, whose 40-year legacy in bereavement support and child life services continues to guide families through their most difficult moments
• Junior Hometown Hero Award: Ulysses Hsu, a young philanthropist whose creativity and generosity have inspired thousands and raised significant funds for pediatric care

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came through the patient story of Abraham Ochoa. His journey brought the room together, reinforcing the purpose behind the Stronger Together campaign, which aims to build a state-of-the-art outpatient specialty clinic where families can access comprehensive care in one place.