Friendsgiving: Oh, What a Night!

On November 15, 180 friends joined HHF for an event supporting the creation of a Child Life Specialist position at UPMC Hamot.

Together with our guests and sponsors, we raised over $40,000!

The event was themed around the favorite TV show of local teen, Anna Clare Markiewicz, who lost her battle with cancer in 2023. Throughout her treatment, she grew incredibly close to her Child Life Specialists at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. So close, in fact, that a pair of them travelled all the way to Erie to attend this event--one even making the pilgrimage from Texas!

Child Life Specialists, like those who supported Anna, help children and families navigate their medical journey while caring for their emotional needs. Despite the importance of this role and its established correlation to better patient outcomes, Child Life is not covered by insurance. This means bringing the program to Erie requires philanthropic support, a mission that Dave and Jen Markiewicz, Anna's parents, are determined to achieve.

With that determination as their guide, the Markiewicz family and HHF came together to envision Friendsgiving. The event was an opportunity to not only honor Anna but also help elevate the care of pediatric patients locally.

In this season of gratitude, we couldn't be more thankful for the Markiewicz family -- especially for their partnership and commitment to bringing Child Life to UPMC Hamot. Want to learn more about the Child Life program at UPMC Hamot? Contact Mark Louis.

If you missed Friendsgiving this year, be sure to save November 14th in your calendar for next year!