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Callie's Story

Callie was 2 ½ pounds when she was born. She spent a month in the NICU, and after multiple rounds of medical tests, the doctors discovered she had a chromosomal condition.  Callie’s condition is so rare that the nurses in the hospital didn’t have experience treating it.

Callie is almost 6 years old now and has a fragile immune system.  She does not walk or talk.  She is fed by a feeding tube and needs 24-hour care.  
Callie’s parents, Asling and Niall, rely on George Mark’s Respite Care for a break from the around the clock caregiving. Asling says, “George Mark helps 100%, because we are able to bring Callie someplace we trust and where we know she is happy. While Callie is at George Mark, we can give our younger children temporary freedom from daily medical routines.”

What does Callie enjoy at George Mark? She loves the sensory room, the piano, therapy animals, and looking at books. The aquatic spa and caring staff who help Callie are amazing! Now that Callie has outgrown her crib, she has a special bed at George Mark that allows her to move around and to be safe in an enclosed space.  

Our Beneficiaries

George Mark Children's House (GMCH) in San Leandro, California, is the first free-standing pediatric palliative care house in the United States. Founded in 2004, GMCH provides the comfort of home with the medical care of a top-notch hospital. GMCH exists to serve families with children who are chronically ill with a life-limiting illness and are seeking family-centered medical care that emphasizes quality of life in a compassionate, supportive atmosphere where kids can be kids and families can be families.

 

 

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland's mission is to protect and advance the health and well-being of children through clinical care, teaching, and research. The hospital cares for more than 240,000 patients annually and welcomes all children, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or ability to pay. With values such as RESPECT, INTEGRITY, QUALITY, TEAMWORK, DIVERSITY, and STEWARDSHIP, their vision is to be a leader in children’s health.