The 25th Annual SanCap Cares Island Celebration held on March 28 brought the community together for an evening of generosity and impact, raising $850,000 to support the new Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center.
Hosted at the Sanibel Community House, this milestone event, dubbed the Silver Island Celebration, marked a quarter-century of dedication to enhancing children’s health care in Southwest Florida. The evening was emceed by Jeff Muddell, Sanibel president of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and featured stunning décor by Floral Artistry. Guests enjoyed an elegant dinner, a compelling program highlighting the hospital’s pediatric surgical advancements, and a lively atmosphere reflecting the community’s unwavering commitment to giving.
“For 25 years, SanCap Cares has been a driving force in transforming children’s health care in Southwest Florida,” said Justin Brand, director of development for Lee Health Foundation. “Their unwavering dedication and generosity have provided life-changing resources for Golisano Children’s Hospital, ensuring that every child receives the care they deserve. The impact of their work is truly remarkable, and we are so grateful for their continued commitment to our mission.”
The honorary chairs, Kasey & Brendan Albright, helped lead the evening’s fundraising efforts, which included a Give-to-Give auction featuring essential medical equipment and comfort items for young patients. Many of the services provided at Golisano Children’s Hospital rely entirely on philanthropic support, making events like this crucial to advancing pediatric care.
Since its founding in 2001 by a group of dedicated island parents, SanCap Cares has raised more than $19 million for Golisano Children’s Hospital, ensuring that Southwest Florida families have access to exceptional, compassionate health care close to home. In just the last two years, SanCap Cares supporters have raised more than $1.5 million for the new Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center. In recognition of this generosity, a surgery suite within the center will be named in honor of the donors of SanCap Cares.
Funds from this year’s event will directly support the Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center, a new facility designed to meet the growing demand for pediatric surgical services. Last year, more than 5,000 pediatric surgeries were performed at HealthPark Medical Center, addressing ENT issues, orthopedic needs, appendectomies, and more. The new surgery center will offer four operating rooms, two endoscopy rooms, and expanded pre-op and recovery areas, all within a child-friendly environment tailored to young patients and their families.
As SanCap Cares celebrates 25 years of caring, the organization remains committed to its mission of supporting health care in Southwest Florida. To learn more or to contribute, please contact Justin Brand at 239-343-6067 or email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.
About Lee Health Foundation
Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of private nonprofit Lee Health to establish, expand and enhance innovative, lifesaving and preventative programs. The Foundation provides financial support for all five Lee Health hospitals including Golisano Children’s Hospital and Lee Health Fort Myers, opening late 2027, as well as many service areas including Lee Health Cancer Institute, Lee Health Coconut Point, Lee Health Heart Institute, Lee Health Hospital at Home, Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute, and Community Health Clinics. Over the last year, the Foundation has distributed more than $27 million to support Lee Health’s mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.0ltHaQpg3qNzgwQPokCGP9-2Bryj24a5rDB34EWxiEiBFxEH-2FO5N3g2wtktRaJuW29HBAu_7q2-2F1LWzHNsPsrpxpegg0oZZxN8mUj06Jpz9DXf-2Bd7VgjsJfZa6cf37nvKiKOST9RsRB6-2FKkH4I-2BntTm3D-2Fyr0a9xX2MOFrvWZEiRC-2BYqMpbIjofbpm7rkg8xEckcqagzogkr2LFIlSB-2BnQI-2Bn6feOvIz-2B5RSCzComUbO3L-2FfX0Yy81uQlO1C83b6ntYpu9yB3O9UpXGfY3whlvkPSKt27ot5rLdUPbLfOnfQlp3VRbwEifmY91CNfJORLGDTnm4XdcTo9hzIHMvo6YxBLJ07vcUTYWVCmlN85yuEEVnABXjzMTMwqVxGI6xp-2FGW8f0Pvm6fmooRdKpNWPVa4lTME7mONnnxWxaSEtJV5ms-2BvHu2quZyslJzGtNMr84a0smHn72l5psWruizBnqIMSicJg-3D-3D__;!!PtNlYhaE-iE!Ic1-TQjtkdhymGdtIj8yEtdAHV9yTy5O1KzK_2j5OU1vFhdOM_ZVxfqSu-XFbK35g6YkJT5B7j3vElZBmW4I7y3qchgaHu5fl_w$> or call 239-343-6950 for more information about the role of Lee Health philanthropy in Southwest Florida.
