On Saturday, November 2 at the Hopebuilders 5K, Caroline Winslett, Co-Founder and Executive Director of WARD’S Foundation, presented a generous matching donation of $20,000 to recognize Team “Care for Rare”. As this year’s top community fundraising team, Team “Care for Rare” consisted of nearly 40 team members and patient families. Raising over $21,000, WARD’S Foundation matched their donation with a $20,000 donation of their own, totaling over $41,000 raised for the Ward Winslett Center for Complex and Rare Diseases at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. This amazing effort was led by the Civils family, who recently faced a rare disease diagnosis. Inspired by the care their daughter, Katie, received from Dr. Clay Ferren and the entire team, the Civils family joined in this vital mission.

The Hopebuilders 5K was founded 29 years ago by two local families whose children – both battling cancer – had to seek medical care outside of Charlotte. Although both children sadly lost their fight to the terrible disease, their families joined forces to impact the lives of other families. Since that time, the Hopebuilders 5K has become the flagship community fundraising event for Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital, bringing together hundreds of runners, donors, sponsors, and advocates to support patient initiatives.

The Hopebuilders 5K exclusively benefits patient programs at Levine Children's Hospital, allowing children and families in our community to receive the best care where they need it most – close to home. Since its establishment, the event has raised over $3 million to advance care and research.

Part of our mission at WARD'S Foundation is to bring together the rare disease community in Charlotte and to educate others about the impact and prevalence of rare diseases. Thank you Team “Care for Rare” for all of your hard work and dedication! Together, we will continue to advance care for families facing rare disease.