Desert Financial Foundation Winter Fundraiser

Every year, thousands of children like Samantha (pictured above) need critical medical treatment at Phoenix Children’s. Because of your generosity, they will receive the support they need to continue their education while they recover through the 1 Darn Cool School at Phoenix Children’s.  

This inspirational program is staffed by eight full-time master’s-level teachers and provided more than 11,000 patient education sessions in 2024. The 1 Darn Cool School gives kids at Phoenix Children’s a sense of normalcy as they recover, discover and shine. But it could not be done without the generous support of donors like you!

Desert Financial Foundation has committed to raising $75,000 for the 1 Darn Cool School this winter, and we need your help. Your tax-deductible donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000 (overall) by Desert Financial Credit Union! That’s a total of $125,000 to support the continuing education of the patients at Phoenix Children’s. Together we can make a difference!

The year you turn 14 is an important year for a kid. It means starting high school, making friends, developing lifelong passions and carving out a place in the world. For Samantha, it should have meant painting, creating and continuing her path toward becoming the artist she always dreamed of being. Instead, her world would turn upside down. She started to feel severe abdominal pain, which led to a diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease that leads to complications with the colon. 

After her initial treatments failed, Samantha underwent a total colectomy, but complications with the surgery landed her in the ICU with Sweet Syndrome, a rare condition that can cause irritation, swelling and lesions in the skin. It led to an extended stay at Phoenix Children’s, where she faced anxiety and physical limitations as the doctors tried to help her find relief. 

Luckily, with the support of dedicated doctors, nurses, therapists and more, Samantha is on the journey toward recovery. And despite being diagnosed with a condition that could easily set someone back while they’re on the doorstep of the rest of their life, her resilience and positive attitude turned her experience into a goal to become a gastroenterologist who helps kids just like her. 

At the same time, she hasn’t given up her passion for art. While she continues to learn and grow at Phoenix Children’s, she also finds peace in painting. With a donation of just $5, you can get a holiday card featuring Samantha’s artwork. Plus, you’ll help kids just like Samantha keep learning and building their futures while receiving treatment.