Herma Heart Center
At Every Turn > Giving and Fundraising > $8 million challenge encourages community to advance pediatric heart care
News Apr 12, 2017

$8 million challenge encourages community to advance pediatric heart care

Maryanne Kessel, MBA, RN, Executive Director of Development

The Herma Heart Institute at Children’s Wisconsin has become one of the leading pediatric cardiac programs in the world for many reasons, including our world-class doctors and commitment to research. Another key component is the philanthropic support our cardiac program has received, highlighted by the support of the Herma family.

The Herma challenge

Now, through another generous gift, the Herma family is encouraging others to join the effort to continue to advance medical breakthroughs and expand support programs for kids with congenital heart defects. Through Dec. 30, 2017, the Herma family will match gifts designated to our Herma Heart Institute up to $8 million.

Individuals interested in supporting the Herma challenge can visit childrenswi.org/challenge or call the Children’s Wisconsin Foundation at (414) 266-6100.

Turning heartbreak into hope

Thirty years ago, John and Susan Herma faced the unthinkable. Their beautiful daughter, Leigh, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition in which several structures in the heart’s left side form incorrectly.

I was a nurse in the cardiac department at the time and still remember standing over Leigh’s bed as doctors described how serious her condition was to her mom and dad. At the time, nearly 90 percent of patients with this condition didn’t survive.

Doctors did all they could do at the time, but after an all-too-short time, Leigh passed away just under 3 months of age.

Inspired by the compassionate care they received and a desire to improve outcomes for other families in the same situation, the Hermas began to give back. Their first gift was a rocking chair to allow other parents to rock their children — a comfort that was not available to them when Leigh was in the hospital. Over time, they continued to step forward with multimillion dollar gifts that allowed the hospital to create the Herma Heart Institute, now one of the nation’s top pediatric cardiac programs.

The impact

In 2001, 100 percent of kids who had surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome at Children’s Wisconsin were able to go home. We continue today to have the best peer reviewed published survival rates for children with this condition. John and Susan have been gracious supporters that have assisted us in expanding the number of kids we can care for. Their support allowed us to create the first cardiac neurodevelopment follow-up program in the country. They inspired us to develop a home monitoring program that has improved survival rates and has now been adopted worldwide as best practice.

The latest gift and the matches it will inspire will help continue to advance this work. It will continue to support our research and clinical innovation with a focus on eradicating congenital heart conditions and revolutionizing programs that will improve the quality of life for heart patients and their families. It will save the lives of kids.

Children's Wisconsin Resources

Maryanne Kessel Maryanne Kessel, MBA, RN Executive Director of Development Herma Heart Institute
When you support Children’s Wisconsin — whether through direct donations, event participation, fundraising or volunteerism — you are supporting critical and preventive care programs that make a difference in the lives of kids and families. View more articles from Maryanne Kessel, MBA, RN

Related stories

Why Medicaid matters Children's Wisconsin
News May 08, 2025

Medicaid Matters for Kids: A Smart Investment in Our Future

Rainer Gedeit, MD Chief Medical Officer

Medicaid provides the foundation for children’s health care in Wisconsin.

Rally Round for Children's Wisconsin
News Mar 05, 2025

Get Ready to Rally Round for Children’s Wisconsin: A New Chapter in a Beloved Tradition

Meg Brzyski Nelson President

This can’t-miss event combines fun, fitness and fundraising to support kids in our community.

Children’s Wisconsin Is Expanding Access to Pediatric Surgical Services in Northeast Wisconsin
News Feb 18, 2025

Children’s Wisconsin Is Expanding Access to Pediatric Surgical Services in Northeast Wisconsin

David Gourlay, MD Surgeon-in-Chief

As part of our Connected for Kids partnership, Children's Wisconsin is increasing surgical care in Northeast Wisconsin.

Pile of newspapers
News Dec 04, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids Enter New Joint Venture

Children’s Wisconsin and UW Health Kids are announcing a new joint venture for shared pediatric cardiac and adult congenital heart care services.

New Children's Wisconsin Appleton Clinic opened March 6
News Oct 25, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin plans pediatric urgent care in Appleton

Urgent care services for kids of all ages will be available seven days a week at the clinic.

At Every Turn new trusted parenting resource from Children's Wisconsin
News Oct 23, 2024

Welcome to At Every Turn

At Every Turn is your new and improved parenting resource from Children's Wisconsin.

Children’s Wisconsin named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report
News Oct 08, 2024

Children’s Wisconsin named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report

Children’s Wisconsin ranked among the best in 8 pediatric specialties.