Ways You Can Help

Annual Advocacy Day & Awards Program

“Working on Behalf of Children’s Health”

Children’s Hospital hosts an Annual Advocacy Day, bringing in experts to speak on topics related to children’s health and how advocacy can make an impact.

During the Advocacy Day Program, the winner of the hospital’s Spirit of Advocacy Award is presented, recognizing a parent or family member of a Children’s Hospital patient for their efforts in advocating for children’s health.

For information about this year’s Children’s Hospital’s Annual Advocacy Day & Awards Program or our Advocacy efforts, please contact Kendall Lee at klee@chva.org or 228-5829

Spirit of Advocacy Awards

2010 Call for Nominations!
Children’s Hospital is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Spirit of Advocacy Awards. To learn about the nomination criteria and to fill out a nomination form, please click here. Submissions must be received by August 2, 2010 to be considered. Your completed Nomination Form can be faxed to: (804) 228-5998 or mailed to: Children’s Hospital, Attn: Kendall Lee, 2924 Brook Rd., Richmond, VA 23220.

The awards were created in 2004 by Children’s Hospital to formally recognize a family or family member of a Children’s Hospital patient for their efforts in advocating for the health care needs of their child or the broader needs of children of the community. In 2005 a Community Partner Award was added to recognize the efforts of professionals who use their position and skills to advocate for children’s healthcare.  Winners for both awards will have taken a positive action in regard to some aspect of advocating for legislative or safety initiatives, influencing funding sources or new program development, obtaining healthcare services for children, influencing improvements to the community for children with special health care needs, and/or suggesting improvements to health care services.

2009 Award Winners

Children’s Hospital of Richmond announced the winners of its 2009 Spirit of Advocacy Awards during its annual Advocacy Day program held at the hospital on Sept. 24th. Jamie and Kristie Lint were honored with the Family Award, and Jeff Kraus received the Community Partner Award.

The Lints were nominated for working tirelessly to provide support to families with children who have rare and sometimes fatal disorders such as Trisomy 13. The Lints brought their son, who has Trisomy 13, to Children’s Hospital in December 2007 to start a ketogenic diet to control his seizures. A ketogenic diet requires a huge family commitment, and the Lints’ commitment has benefited their son by helping to reduce his seizures and improve his quality of life. While raising three children, the Lints also serve as advocates and chapter Co-Chairs for the state of Virginia SOFT (Support Organization for Trisomy 18, 13 and related disorders), where they help other families find and obtain resources related to these disorders. This year the Lints are also serving as Co-Chairs for the 2009 International SOFT conference to be held in Roanoke, VA.

A former market manager with Walmart, Jeff Kraus was nominated for his personal commitment and his professional dedication to supporting children’s healthcare programs. Kraus began his association with Children’s Miracle Network Richmond, which supports Children’s Hospital and Virginia Commonwealth University Children’s Medical Center, in 1998. In 2003, Kraus partnered with Cox radio to plan a golf tournament to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Richmond and two years later partnered with Comcast and CBS6 to start the Walmart Miracle Challenge, a mini grand prix that would become the signature event of the market and spread to other Virginia markets within a year. Before retiring from Walmart in May, Kraus supported a statewide fundraising effort that raised more than $34,000 in less than eight weeks. In the last 11 years, he has helped raise nearly $1.9 million in Walmart contributions.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.