Aaron Shelby, co-president of the Carroll Shelby Foundation, on July 11 presented a $15,000 check to Brian Feingold, medical director of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Programs at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The donation was made on behalf of the charity’s board during the Team Shelby East Coast Nationals banquet in Pittsburgh.
“My grandfather, Carroll Shelby was awaiting a new heart when he met several children who were also in the transplant ward,” Shelby said. “He initially founded the charity to help fund organ transplants for kids like them. While the Foundation’s mission has expanded over the years, we’re still very supportive of pediatric hospitals who are committed to helping kids win their race for life.”
Regionally, nationally, and globally, UPMC Children’s Hospital is a leader in the treatment of childhood conditions and diseases, a pioneer in the development of new and improved therapies, and a top educator of the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists.
“We are very thankful to the Carroll Shelby Foundation for this generous gift in support of the Heart Transplantation Program at UPMC Children’s,” Feingold said. “Every day we strive to provide the best care of infants, children, and teenagers with life-threatening heart diseases. Gifts such as this allow us to advance our understanding of the causes and best treatments for patients who need or have received a transplant.”
The Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s has been ranked No. 3 nationally on the U.S. News & World Report list of top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs.
“UPMC Children’s is home to the world’s first pediatric solid organ transplant program, specializing in heart, liver, kidney and lung transplants for children,” said Neil Cummings, co-president of the Carroll Shelby Foundation. “Their trailblazing and tenacious approach matches our philosophy at the Carroll Shelby Foundation. We’re confident that this donation will make a difference in the lives of children in the region.”
During the past several years, the Carroll Shelby Foundation has donated money to pediatric hospitals and organ transplant wards. In 2018, the foundaiton donated $5,000 to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Loma Linda, California, and handed out gifts to kids in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. During the Mustang Club of America’s 2017 Grand National event in Kansas City, the Carroll ShelbyFoundation surprised Children’s Mercy Hospital with a $10,000 check.
The charity’s board of directors also asked Carroll Shelby Foundation Managing Director, Rafella Golden, to conduct several fundraising activities during the Team Shelby East Coast Nationals banquet. Ms. Golden conducted several live and silent auctions, accepted donations and explained the Foundation’s mission to the crowd.