Dear Friends,

What began as a small act of love for my son, Ryan, has grown into a national effort to support children and families navigating serious illness and injury. As we gather for Ryan’s Case for Smiles 2026 Red Shoe Gala, we pause to celebrate not just how far we’ve come, but the thousands of families we’ve supported along the way.

This year, we delivered our 3 millionth pillowcase, a milestone that reflects nearly two decades of commitment from volunteers, donors, and partners across the country. Today, Ryan’s Case for Smiles serves children and families in 365 hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses, providing something familiar and personal in settings that can often feel overwhelming.

For nearly 20 years, our work has been grounded in the belief that families facing health crises need more than medical care alone. They need emotional support and practical resources that help their entire family cope, feel less isolated, and build resilience. With the successful completion of our $1.5 million Capacity Building Campaign, we have expanded our reach and positioned ourselves for a bright future ahead. This included the launch of our bereavement site and the full Spanish translation of CopingSpace.org and all family resources.

We are proud to honor David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, a physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Founder of Every Cure. David’s work to identify lifesaving treatments, often through drug repurposing has already advanced new options for patients facing cancer and rare diseases. His impact is deeply personal: as a patient himself, David is alive today because of a treatment he helped discover. David embodies the same resilience and hope that lies at the heart of our mission.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

With gratitude,
Cindy Kerr