By Darby Kendall
Behind every fundraiser for OHSU and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is a personal story. Individuals, families and communities across the region raise money and support for OHSU, and they do so in creative, meaningful ways. Here are a few recent examples of people coming together in support of a patient or loved one, all united in the goal of advancing the missions across OHSU and Doernbecher.
Bowling with Heart
Big Al’s Beaverton celebrated their 10th annual Bowling with Heart event this February with an afternoon of strikes, snacks and fundraising for the Friends of Doernbecher Grant Program. For Big Al’s CEO Daniel Kirkwood, supporting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital is a family affair.
“Big Al’s has always jumped at the chance to work with Doernbecher, but for me, the partnership is incredibly and overwhelmingly personal, too; my beautiful, 11-year-old daughter Sophie is a Doernbecher baby,” Kirkwood said. “The care Sophie received was second-to-none, but more than that, the Doernbecher staff also cared for my entire family.”
In the years since Sophie’s birth, Big Al’s Beaverton and Friends of Doernbecher — Sophies’ Committee, a volunteer group that helps plan the event, throw an annual bowling bash that brings together the community to raise funds for innovative projects and cutting-edge research that directly benefit current and future Doernbecher patients and families.
“Last year’s event was electric. Not only did we fill the house, but we also raised a record $100,000,” Kirkwood said. “The success of last year’s event has inspired us to shoot for the stars this year by expanding to two locations: Vancouver and Beaverton.”
Looking to the future of the event, Kirkwood and his team are excited for the expansion of Bowling with Heart.
“2026 will be our 11th annual,” he said. “My team loves the event. Many people from our Vancouver location have even volunteered at past events held in Beaverton. They’re excited to be bringing this event to both locations.”
Head for the Cure
This July, over 800 participants, volunteers and supporters rallied together for the inaugural Head for the Cure 5K in Portland and raised over $135,000 toward the fight against brain cancer.
“Head for the Cure partners with leading cancer centers across the nation, and when a community member brought the idea of a Portland event forward, we were ecstatic,” said Summer Sivils, event coordinator at Head for the Cure. “We are so happy to be partnered with and supporting the great work that is being done at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.”
The original Head for the Cure was created in 2003 by founder Matt Anthony, inspired by his brother Chris, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Since then, Head for the Cure has expanded nationwide, hosting more than 350 5K events and raising over $30 million in pursuit of finding a cure for brain cancer.
“The inaugural Head for the Cure 5K in Portland was an unbelievable success,” Sivils said. “The spirit of the day was truly inspiring. The Portland community came together to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and rally in the fight for a cure. We were so impressed by the turnout and the overwhelming support that helped make this one of our largest events of the year. Hope and joy were at the heart of the event, shining through in the many smiling faces and meaningful connections shared throughout the day.”
Platt Golf Challenge
The power of community comes together each August at the Platt Golf Challenge, put on in Aloha, Oregon, by Platt Electric and the Rexel NW Region Team. Since the challenge began benefiting the Knight Cancer Institute four years ago, they’ve raised over $1 million to end cancer as we know it.
“This significant donation stands not only as a testament to the enduring generosity of our event’s participants and sponsors, but also as a vital source of funding for cancer research, patient care, and the collective fight against one of humanity’s most formidable adversaries,” said Marv Engelman, event chairman and vice president of sales Rexel NW Region at Rexel USA.
Rexel USA’s vendors, customers, employees and partners join each other at the event to golf in the name of philanthropy. Cancer has impacted the lives of many of the event participants, whether as a patient, the loved one of a patient, or experiencing the loss of a loved one due to cancer. This deep connection inspired the Platt Golf Challenge organizers to support the Knight Cancer Institute in an impactful way.
“Let this milestone inspire us all to keep striving, supporting and believing in a world where cancer is not only treatable, but preventable and, one day, curable,” Engelman said.
Do you have an idea for a fundraiser or creative way to donate to OHSU?
