Matt Leinart Makes $500K Pledge to Mesa Hospital
Matt Leinart scores big with pediatric patients during visit to Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center
Quarterback reaffirms $500,000 pledge for hospital’s expansion
PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 19, 2007) — Matt Leinart visited pediatric patients at Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center yesterday, bringing cheer to the community’s smallest and most vulnerable patients. The injured quarterback easily related to the hospitalized children, sharing his own story and providing encouragement for the kids to keep a positive attitude.
Leinart’s visit to the hospital reinforced his already-significant commitment to Banner Health and to children in the East Valley . this year, the NFL star pledged a half-million dollar gift to Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center through the Matt Leinart Foundation. The $500,000 donation will benefit the Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign, to support the expansion of Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert in Mesa including building a new 7-story pediatric patient tower.
“This community has welcomed me with open arms, and I’m honored to say thank you by investing both time and money in health care for kids,” said Matt Leinart. “Making sure kids have access to great care should be our top priority, and my partnership with Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center will bring more pediatric services to the Valley.”
The nonprofit Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center currently provides comprehensive pediatric care to residents throughout Maricopa County. Highly-skilled and compassionate pediatric staff and a full array of pediatric specialty physicians meet the diverse childhood health care needs of our community. As the population of Maricopa County continues to grow at unprecedented levels, so does the need for additional pediatric hospital services. The new tower dedicated to Banner Children’s is part of a major expansion at, to substantially increase the pediatric services available to this growing region.
The Through the Eyes of a Child Capital Campaign is a $15 million effort launched earlier this year by the Banner Health Foundation to enlist philanthropic support for the $300 million children’s hospital project at.
“Though Matt’s only been in the Valley for little over a year, he’s already shown a strong desire to give back where the need is greatest — helping kids,” said Andy Kramer, president and CEO, Banner Health Foundation. “We are so grateful for his commitment to the children’s hospital, as it reflects his confidence in Banner’s ability to address the needs of children in our community.”
About Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center
Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center provides comprehensive pediatric care for children of all ages. The hospital provides a full range of services, including emergency care, general pediatrics, intensive care and community education on child health topics. The hospital is a member of the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI).
About Banner Health Foundation
Banner Health Foundation fosters a spirit of giving by making health care solutions a reality for our community. Contributions made to the Foundation are invested locally in the nonprofit Banner Health’s facilities and programs to advance health and wellness. Caring for the future of Arizona since 1978, Banner Health Foundation is supported by the generosity of individual donors, the public and private sectors, and thousands of active volunteers.
