A Vintage Affair 2024 Raises More than $1M to Advance Pediatric Health

On March 2, more than 500 guests gathered at the National Building Museum for the Founders Auxiliary Board annual event, A Vintage Affair. They raised more than $1 million to transform pediatric research and care for Children’s National Hospital patients and families.

Maddie shared how compassionate care gave her comfort and hope while she has navigated a rare disease. “Going to the hospital used to scare me, but not after starting at Children’s National,” she says. “The doctors talked directly to me. They wanted to know about me and what I wanted to do in life, not just about what was wrong with me.”

Now, a healthier Maddie can pursue her passions, including theater. “People at Children’s National have always inspired me to live the best life I can.”

Guests gave generously at the event’s live and silent auction, raising their paddles to contribute more than $56,000 to support cutting-edge research at the Rare Disease Institute.

"Of the people who come to my clinic, about 40% of people we can find a definitive diagnosis,” said Debra Regier, MD, chief of genetics and metabolism at Children’s National. “So, we know that 60% of our patients might not have a definitive diagnosis. We still ask the question – how do we make your life better every day? That's what we do at the Rare Disease Institute."

See more about the Founders Auxiliary Board and the sponsors who made this event possible.