A National Spotlight on George Mark Children’s House

A Message from CEO Shekinah Eliassen

Dear George Mark Community,

When USA TODAY reporter Madeline Mitchell flew out  from New York to stay at George Mark Children’s House, she came to listen, learn, and better understand what makes this House so special. She spent time with our families, met our children and young adults, talked with our care team and staff, and experienced the love, joy, compassion, and connection that fill these halls every day.

At its heart, this story is about the extraordinary children and families we are honored to serve and the dedicated team who make those moments possible. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that every family facing a life-limiting illness deserves access to this kind of compassionate care.

For more than 20 years, we’ve seen the difference pediatric palliative and respite care can make. We’ve seen children laugh, siblings play, parents catch their breath, and families create precious memories together. Those moments matter, and they remind us why this work is so important.

We’re deeply grateful that this story shines a national spotlight on pediatric palliative and respite care at a time when more families than ever need these services. Our hope is that it broadens awareness of this compassionate model of care, encourages communities across the country to reimagine what’s possible for children with life-limiting illnesses, and inspires the expansion of pediatric palliative and respite care so that every family has access to the support they deserve.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the story and share it with others.

Every person who learns about George Mark Children’s House helps us reach another family, another healthcare provider, another advocate, and another community that may one day benefit from this kind of care.

If you’d like to help us build on this moment, here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Share the article with your family, friends, colleagues, or on social media. 
• Visit the House. We offer tours throughout the summer and fall, and we’d love to welcome you. To schedule a visit, please email info@georgemark.org.
• Join us at our Annual Autumn Celebration on Friday, October 2, in San Francisco, as we celebrate our community and raise critical support for the children and families we serve. Purchase tickets here.

I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to the families who so generously shared their stories. Their courage, openness, and love are at the heart of this article, and we’re honored that they trusted us—and USA TODAY—to help tell them.

To our donors, volunteers, healthcare partners, staff, and friends: thank you. Because of your generosity, children experience joy, families find moments of rest, and parents know they are never walking this journey alone.

Together, we can build a future where every family facing a life-limiting illness has access to the same compassionate, family-centered care that has been the heart of George Mark Children’s House since we opened as the nation’s first freestanding pediatric palliative and respite care home more than 20 years ago.

With gratitude,

Shekinah Eliassen
Chief Executive Officer
George Mark Children’s House