ECU Health, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and EastCare announced the arrival of North Carolina’s first medical transport helicopter dedicated solely to pediatric patients.
The helicopter carries specialized neonatal and pediatric equipment—including ventilators designed for the smallest patients—and features a spacious, child friendly interior. The environment allows clinical teams to deliver both intensive medical treatment and developmentally supportive care in a space where children can feel safe and comforted. Much of the equipment in the aircraft was funded by generous donors through the ECU Health Foundation.
For more information on how you can support EastCare and Children’s Transport, please contact Rhonda James.
Across ECU Health Medical Center and the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital, three dogs named Clive, Erving and Sam are leaving pawprints in the heart of patients, their families and team members alike. Whether in rehabilitation or pediatrics, these four-legged friends bring joy, motivation and emotional support to patients and their families.
Sam’s arrival was the result of nearly eight years of advocacy and planning by Child Life specialists Ashton Ayers and Chelse Smith, along with colleagues Jaymi Mendoza and Christy Denius. The ECU Health Foundation provided the funding to bring Sam on board. After years of research and collaboration with the ECU Health Foundation, funding was secured and Sam officially joined the team in November 2023. Sam was matched with handlers Ayers and Smith after they were vetted through the organization and the hospital.
Sam now supports pediatric patients, including those in the ICU, offering comfort during procedures, emotional support during difficult moments and motivation for children facing medical challenges.
Sam is the first full-time facility dog at ECU Health. Her care is fully-funded through donations to the Maynard Canine Crew program. With donor support, Sam helps our child life specialists address children’s unique needs, offering emotional support and joy during challenging medical journeys.
Support Maynard Canine Crew here.
The James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center was filled with smiles and excitement as CAPTRUST employees, in partnership with the ECU Health Foundation, arrived with bright green boxes packed with fun. These Cheeriodicals care packages were filled with age-appropriate toys, crafts and comfort items, and were hand-delivered to pediatric patients and their families to brighten their hospital stay.
The impact of the delivery extended far beyond the contents of each box. For the CAPTRUST and Cheeriodicals teams, it was an affirmation of the difference collaboration and giving back can make.
“The delivery was more than just a gift,” said Scott Senatore, chief philanthropy officer, ECU Health Foundation. “It was a moment of true joy for children and families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives, and for two ECU alumni, it was a chance to give back to the community that helped shape them. ECU Health is so grateful to CAPTRUST and Cheeriodicals for their compassion and care for the patients and families we serve.”
East Carolina University (ECU) Baseball player Parker Byrd has stepped up to the plate to lead Homers That Help, a charity initiative supporting families at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. Taking over from former player Carter Cunningham, Byrd has embraced the opportunity to expand the program’s impact and continue its mission of giving back.
Managed by ECU Health Foundation, the funds raised through Homers That Help have had a direct impact on families, covering essential costs like gas and food gift cards to ease their hospital stays. Funds also will be going to other needs of Maynard Children’s Hospital to improve care and the hospital experience for pediatric patients and their families.
To date, Homers That Help has raised over $75,000. To learn more about Homers That Help or to give, please visit give.ecuhealthfoundation.org
East Carolina University (ECU) Baseball player Parker Byrd has stepped up to the plate to lead Homers That Help, a charity initiative supporting families at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. Taking over from former player Carter Cunningham, Byrd has embraced the opportunity to expand the program’s impact and continue its mission of giving back.
The idea for Homers That Help was born after Cunningham participated in a career shadowing experience at ECU Health Medical Center in November 2023. Walking through Maynard Children’s Hospital, he felt a deep calling to do something meaningful for the young patients and their families.
Managed by ECU Health Foundation, the funds raised through Homers That Help have had a direct impact on families, covering essential costs like gas and food gift cards to ease their hospital stays. Funds also will be going to other needs of Maynard Children’s Hospital to improve care and the hospital experience for pediatric patients and their families.
To date, Homers That Help has raised over $75,000. To learn more about Homers That Help or to give, please visit give.ecuhealthfoundation.org
Blue and silver Pinwheels for Prevention adorned yards, clinics, daycares and other businesses in Greenville, eastern North Carolina and across the country throughout National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The pinwheels, meant to represent childlike whimsy and lightheartedness, are a signature display during the month-long campaign to raise awareness around a difficult and important topic.
For team members and supporters at ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University’s Tender Evaluation, Diagnosis and Intervention for a Better Abuse Response (TEDI BEAR) and Mt. Olive Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), the tireless effort to prevent child abuse in eastern North Carolina is a year-round endeavor.
Radio listeners across Eastern Carolina tuned in to make a big impact for a Children’s Miracles Network.
Inner Banks Media says the 28th annual Music for Miracles radiothon raised $113,734 for the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital. Funds raised go directly into the hospital’s state-of-the-art facilities, life-saving equipment, and comforting resources to children and their families.
19 Jersey Mike’s Subs locations across eastern North Carolina broke a giving record during the annual month of giving, benefitting James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital.
This year, $188,375 was raised in support of Maynard Children’s Hospi9tal, the highest amount raised to date. Since 2009, Jersey Mike’s has given more than $1 million to help sick and injured children in eastern North Carolina.
On March 10th, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital celebrated the opening of the Panda Cares® Center of Hope, made possible by the associates and guests of Panda Express®, who foster the spirit of giving to help change kids’ health to change the future.
The Center of Hope inspires hope and promotes healing by providing specially curated programs that address each child’s entire well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. This space is designed to give children the courage and strength to thrive.
Panda Express® guests and their associates in eastern North Carolina have raised over $345,000 for Maynard Children’s Hospital since 2016.
Trinity suffered abdominal injuries after being in a car accident with her mom. But Trinity had many people — and a dog — help her recover.