Giving Kids Hope — Eleven Years of Changing Lives

What began over a decade ago as an initiative to address the obstacles in medical research funding has grown into a thriving community of committed scientists and advocates who wholeheartedly believe in the mission of the Research Institute for Children's Health at Case Western Reserve University. As we mark our 11th year of this collaborative endeavor in biomedical research, we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support that has carried us forward. Throughout this journey, we have transformed lives, chased the extraordinary, and nurtured the young scientific minds who represent our future.

About the Research Institute for Children's Health

Founded at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, the Research Institute for Children's Health exists for one powerful purpose: to develop safe, effective therapies for children living with genetic disorders — and to do so as rapidly as possible. The Institute applies state-of-the-art technology in genetics and pharmacology to accelerate the discovery of treatments for some of the most complex and heartbreaking conditions affecting children today.

The Institute's work spans several critical areas of children's health, including:

• Pulmonary disorders — such as cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Endocrine and metabolic disorders — including diabetes and glycogen storage diseases
• Neurological disorders — studying conditions that affect nerve function and searching for ways to restore it
• Renal disorders — including polycystic kidney disease
• Intellectual disabilities with a genetic basis
• Undiagnosed rare disorders — leveraging genomic sequencing to provide answers to families who have long searched for them

What makes this Institute truly unique is its paradigm-shifting approach to science. Rather than waiting until a disease is fully understood before pursuing treatments, researchers use high-throughput screening to begin therapeutic development almost immediately — dramatically shortening the time between discovery and hope. Using cutting-edge tools like genome engineering and CRISPR/Cas9 technology, scientists can model genetic diseases and evaluate potential therapies faster than ever before.

The Visionary Behind the Mission — Dr. Mitchell Drumm

At the heart of the Research Institute for Children's Health is its founder, Dr. Mitchell Drumm — a scientist whose brilliance is matched only by his boundless compassion for the children and families his work serves. Dr. Drumm's career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of answers where others saw only obstacles, and a deep personal commitment to ensuring that no family is left without hope.

Dr. Drumm's pioneering contributions to the field of cystic fibrosis research are nothing short of remarkable. As part of the team that first identified the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, he helped lay the scientific foundation upon which modern CF treatments are built. But rather than resting on that extraordinary achievement, Dr. Drumm pressed forward — driven by the knowledge that so many children with rare genetic diseases were still waiting for answers.

What sets Dr. Drumm apart is not only his scientific acumen but his ability to inspire. He has built a culture within the Institute where researchers are not simply conducting experiments — they are on a mission. Under his leadership, the Institute has attracted some of the brightest minds in biomedical research, all united by a shared belief that every child deserves a fighting chance. As Dr. Drumm himself has said, the researchers at the Institute may be scientists, but they are also parents — and that humanity drives everything they do.

His vision of applying genome engineering, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and high-throughput screening to rare disease research has positioned the Institute as a national leader in the field, offering families who once had nowhere to turn a genuine reason to believe in the future.

Why Your Support Matters

Funding is the single greatest accelerator of this life-saving work. Every dollar raised through Giving Kids Hope directly supports the researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and emerging young scientists who are working tirelessly to find treatments for children with rare genetic diseases. Your generosity helps move discoveries from the laboratory bench to the clinic — and ultimately, into the lives of children and families who are counting on us.

The Research Institute for Children's Health hunts for cures. And with your support, that hunt moves faster, reaches further, and saves more lives.

Join Us

We hope you will join us for this year's Giving Kids Hope event taking place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Tinkham Veale University Center on the Case Western Reserve University campus. The evening promises to be filled with memorable moments, emceed by Fox 8 news anchor Natalie Herbick, with auctioneer David McCreary, who is sure to entertain as he assists us in reaching our fundraising goal. Guests will enjoy a progressive menu crafted by celebrated chef Avishar Barua, paired with wines from Ohio-owned Gregory James Wines.

Together, we are making strides toward a world where rare genetic diseases no longer dictate the limits of a child's potential.