For 125 years, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been a steadfast beacon of hope and healing for families throughout Southern California and beyond. A top ranked pediatric hospital, CHLA conducts more than 750,000 visits every year and serves as a vital safety net institution, caring for the region’s most vulnerable and critically ill children.
The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala pays tribute to our brave patients and the remarkable physicians, researchers, and caregivers who create hope and build healthier futures for children. At the event, CHLA will bestow its Courage to Care Award on philanthropic leaders who exemplify extraordinary compassion, commitment, leadership, and transformative generosity.
This biennial gala will celebrate 125 years of CHLA’s history and the hospital’s $1.25 billion Anniversary Campaign, an ambitious effort to set the stage for the next 125 years of children’s health. By supporting the hospital’s strategic priorities, the campaign will advance promising research, expand access for those most in need, and ensure that every child who comes to CHLA receives the specialized care they deserve.
The gala will take place at The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles on October 17, 2026. It will be an evening to remember as we honor the inspiring philanthropy of our greatest advocates and partners with exciting entertainment, exceptional cuisine, and an inspirational program highlighting the hospital’s latest achievements made possible by our generous community.
Your support ensures we have the essential resources to conduct leading research and develop innovative therapies that improve the lives of vulnerable children. Together, we are safeguarding the future of world class, personalized pediatric care and uplifting countless families who rely on CHLA. We look forward to celebrating with champions like you.
The Courage to Care Award is presented at each CHLA Gala to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to children, pediatric-related causes and humanitarian efforts at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and beyond. Our honorees come from a variety of backgrounds and industries— but they share a dedication to philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy to improve the lives of children around the world.
Ellen K is a legendary radio personality and host of The Ellen K Morning Show, the No. 1 FM morning radio show in Los Angeles on iHeartMedia's KOST 103.5 FM. Ellen made history as the first female to anchor a morning drive radio show under her solo namesake in Los Angeles. She remains the longest continuously airing morning radio personality in the nation's top radio market, following over two decades co-hosting with Rick Dees and Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM.
Ellen was introduced to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in September 2016 when her son, Calvin, was injured during a high school football game and required emergency surgery. Grateful for the expert and compassionate care Calvin and the family received, Ellen became a steadfast supporter and that same year, she launched her annual Giving Tuesday broadcast on KOST 103.5. To date, the event has helped raise more than $4 million for Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Ellen, who joined CHLA's Board of Trustees in 2021, has also served as an honorary host for the Malibu Triathlon and CHLA's annual community event, Walk & Play L.A.
Ellen has served as the official announcer for major televised events including the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. She has received numerous honors during her iconic career including being named iHeartRadio Personality of the Year, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and multiple Gracie Awards. In 2022, Ellen was inducted into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame.
Kourtney and Justin Turner are philanthropists, community advocates, and founders of the Justin Turner Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families facing life-altering illnesses, homeless veterans, and youth baseball programs throughout Southern California. Justin, a Major League Baseball veteran and recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, and Kourtney have built a legacy of service by leveraging their platform to create meaningful impact both on and off the field.
The Turners were introduced to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in 2016 and quickly became devoted partners of the hospital through hands-on volunteerism, fundraising, and advocacy. Their longstanding support has included visiting countless patients, hosting special experiences for patients and families, and involving young patients in creative initiatives such as decorating Justin's cleats for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Through the Justin Turner Foundation, they have also made significant philanthropic investments benefiting CHLA and its mission. They are also members of the CHLA Foundation Board of Trustees.
Beyond their work with CHLA, the Turners have become recognized leaders in Los Angeles philanthropy. Since founding the Justin Turner Foundation in 2016, they have supported thousands of families through charitable programs, community events, holiday giving initiatives, and partnerships with organizations including the Dream Center. Their unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children and families across Los Angeles continues to inspire others to give back and strengthen the communities they serve.
Michael Bublé has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide over the course of his extraordinary career and has enjoyed enormous success as one of the top touring artists of all time. With a career that includes 5 GRAMMYs, 15 JUNO Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame, 6 multi-platinum albums, and over 14 billion global streams, Michael has spent the past two decades deeply committed to not only keep the flames of the Great American Songbook alive and well - to not only breathe new life into them - but to bring his singular style, vocal power, and passion to timeless tunes that he loves. He released his self-titled debut album on Reprise Records in 2003, followed by a series of multi-platinum, #1 albums including Call Me Irresponsible (2007), Crazy Love (2009), To Be Loved (2013), Love (2018), and Christmas (2011). Michael's 11th studio album HIGHER (2022) marked his 9th Top 10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales Chart and 7th consecutive studio album to debut in the Top 3. Known for his world-class showmanship and spectacular concert production, he has performed sold out shows in over 30 countries. With unstoppable talent, energy and a voice that is equally at home singing standards, pop, swing, jazz, R&B, and comedy, Michael takes his audiences on a special journey every night - singing his heart out, serenading them with beautiful love songs, making them laugh, cry, and dance - to give them an evening they will never forget. In September 2024, Michael joined the powerhouse coaching panel on NBC's The Voice, taking home back-to-back wins on both Seasons 26 and 27. The two-time champion then returned for Season 28 in 2025, which marked a historic, third consecutive season as a coach on the show.
Gina Rodriguez is best known for playing the title role on the hit series Jane The Virgin, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. She joined the cast of ABC's drama series Will Trent as a series regular, playing Assistant District Attorney Marion Alba, and recently reunited with her Jane The Virgin showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman for a guest-starring turn on the Season 2 finale of CBS's Matlock. She previously starred in and executive produced ABC's comedy series Not Dead Yet, and co-hosted the ABC game show Lucky 13 alongside Shaquille O'Neal. You can also see her in Robert Rodriguez's reboot of Spy Kids for Netflix, and rom-com Players for Netflix.
Rodriguez recently appeared in Netflix's Lost Ollie and Awake, Amazon's I Want You Back, and Focus Features' Kajillionaire. Previously, she headlined Netflix's Someone Great, on which she also served as a producer. Other film credits include Paramount's Annihilation by Alex Garland and Lionsgate's Deepwater Horizon by Pete Berg.
Her voice can be heard in the title role of Netflix's Carmen Sandiego animated series as well as in Netflix's Big Mouth, and can also be found in Twentieth Century Fox's Ferdinand, Warner Brothers' Smallfoot and Scoob!, and Sony's The Star.
Rodriguez is currently making her feature directorial debut with an upcoming boxing drama, which she also co-wrote, directs, and stars in. Described as a love letter to the boxing community she grew up in— her father, Genaro Rodriguez, is a WBO referee — the film has been billed as a story by and for the Latino community, in the spirit of Rocky and Creed.
In addition to her acting career, Rodriguez is a driving force for inclusion and the empowerment of women in all ways, especially in the entertainment industry. This passion led her to create her production company, I Can and I Will Productions, with a mission directly reflecting her commitment to create art and tell stories from those who are traditionally unseen and unheard. The company is proud to have produced two seasons of Disney+'s first original series Diary Of A Future President, for which Gina directed the pilot and co-starred as the president. Rodriguez also serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. With her family, she established the We Will Foundation, which aims to uplift and champion underprivileged youth through arts, education, scholarship funding, and financial literacy. Gina is a proud native Chicagoan and was educated at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
From broken bones and spine disorders to tumors and hand differences, specialists in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are on the frontlines treating the full spectrum of orthopedic conditions. Their expertise has made CHLA a leading referral center for families seeking pediatric-focused care that promotes a full, speedy recovery for children with an array of orthopedic conditions.
The Autry Orthopedic Center’s Board-certified orthopedic surgeons, orthopedic nurses, physician assistants, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and more collaborate to conduct 40,000 patient visits and 2,000 surgeries annually. Every component of care is tailored to each child’s unique condition, which produces some of the best outcomes in the country, including shorter hospital stays, fewer blood transfusions, and low infection rates.
In addition to providing exceptional medical care, the team oversees more than 200 research investigations aimed at identifying better ways to diagnose orthopedic conditions, making treatments more effective. Faculty members also lead one of the largest pediatric orthopedic education programs, training residents and fellows throughout the year. This commitment to excellence has earned the Autry Orthopedic Center consistent recognition as a top 10 pediatric orthopedic program by U.S. News & World Report.
We are proud to celebrate and recognize the team members in the Autry Orthopedic Center at the 2026 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala. Thank you for your dedication and compassion and for championing CHLA’s mission to create hope and build healthier futures.
For details on opportunities to support contact Michael Sandler at 323.240.4935 or msandler@chla.usc.edu.
For more support options, contact Michael Sandler at msandler@chla.usc.edu or 323-240-4935.
For more support options, contact Michael Sandler at msandler@chla.usc.edu or 323-240-4935.
Donations to support CHLA can be made at the link below.
For more information, contact Michael Sandler at msandler@chla.usc.edu or 323-240-4935.
AltaMed Health Services
The Chuck Lorre
Family Foundation
Eastdil Secured
Roy March | Jay Borzi
Mike
Van
Konynenburg
Steve Silk | Adam Edwards
Marta Eliza Miller Foundation
Morgan Adams, Inc.
and SLH Investments
The Roski Family
Lana and Tony Safoian
The Tesoriero Family
Blaine and Lynda Fetter
Marriott Worldwide
Business Councils
Los Angeles
Alvarez & Marsal Susan and Daniel Kane
Alfred E. Mann Charities
Aon
Todd Doney and
Doug Marlow of CBRE
H. Leslie and Elaine S. Hoffman Foundation
Panda Express
Beth Price
Elisa and Michael Schenkman
The Walt Disney Company
Alltroo
BH Properties and Steve & Farah Gozini
George Brown and Christine Ling
Nadine and
Alex Chaves
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Medical Group
Alana Davidov
and Sujin Dolan
Delta Air Lines
Don and Cheryl Fair
Gamers Outreach
Jennifer and
Peter Heilbron
Jennifer and Andy
Howard
John B. Sanfilippo
& Son Inc.
Johnny Carson Foundation
Henry and Susie Jordan
Christos and Anna Karmis
Keck Medicine of USC and Keck School of Medicine
Carol and Arnold J. Kleiner
Judy Kline and
John Chadwick
KPMG
Sharon Kwan
Kim and Chay Lapin
Barbara and Tom Leanse & Karen and Howard Berger
Beth and Bob Lowe
The Mandelblatt Foundation
Marathon Management Partners
Matthew and Chandy McNicholas
Nancy and Greg Meidel & Megan and Brian Webber
Netflix
PAFCO – Peter and
Jihee Huh Family
Kirith Prady and Darin DeWitt
Pressler Family
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Kari and Crosby Selander
Marcia and
Bob Shuwarger
Kara and Brad Slater & Loni and John Terzian
Sodexo
Trevessa and James Terrile
UNLMTD Partners
Dawn Wilcox Verrecchia and Michael Verrecchia
