September is Hunger Action Awareness Month, a time to recognize that food insecurity remains a reality for many of the children and families we serve at Akron Children’s. Across Ohio, families continue to face difficult choices between paying for food, utilities, housing and transportation. The 2026 Hunger Study found that 65% of Ohio households with […]
Akron Children’s unveils new campus signage as $250 million campaign takes pediatric care to the next level
Akron Children’s marked a major milestone on Thursday, Sept. 10 with a little help from some high-flying friends. Perched high atop the hospital’s main building, Spiderman, Batman and the Hulk among other superheroes, helped unveil new Akron Children’s campus signage honoring Tom Golisano, the entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic leader, whose $50 million gift to Akron […]
Kylie Rose’s Run: 12 years of supporting patient care and cancer research
In 2015, Kylie Rose Jacobs was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She was only 5 years old. She made it through multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, two occurrences of cancer in her liver and a stem cell transplant. Along the way and continuing today, as Kylie gears up for her senior year at Copley High School, she […]
Investing in families, investing in futures: Two couples support providers in new autism-focused center
When Carter and Carole Lewis and Gary and Rhonda Didado decided to make transformational gifts to Akron Children’s, they weren’t just giving money. They were stepping into the lives of thousands of families touched by autism – families who, like their own, know that even small breakthroughs can mean everything. These couples’ gifts support the […]
Autism care reaches new heights: Tom and Jill Zidian’s gift supports autism center on Akron Children’s campus
When the new Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center at Akron Children’s opened in November 2025, it brought next-level care for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For the Zidians, their $2 million gift means much more than having their names on the building. For them, autism is personal. Bringing a taste of Italy […]
Former patient brings magic and gratitude to Akron Children’s Holiday Tree Festival
Each Thanksgiving season, the John S. Knight Center transforms into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, themed trees and holiday cheer. Among the hundreds of dazzling displays, 1 tree holds special meaning for a former Akron Children’s patient. From patient to supporter At just 11 months old, Megan Hammersmith was diagnosed with type 1 […]
