Archbishop Emeritus Robert J. Carlson will receive the Glennon Award at this year’s Glennon Glow, an annual fundraiser for the Costas Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
The Costas Center provides inpatient and outpatient services for cancer and blood diseases in an environment designed specifically for children and families.
Before his retirement as head of the St. Louis Archdiocese, Archbishop Emeritus Carlson served on the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation Board of Governors and was known as a champion for children, helping the country’s only free-standing, nonprofit Catholic pediatric hospital.
Laura Kaiser, president and CEO of SSM Health, said that because of Archbishop Emeritus Carlson’s leadership and generosity, the Catholic community “has helped us to ensure no child is ever turned away.”
On behalf of SSM Health, Kaiser said, “we are delighted to celebrate and recognize Archbishop Emeritus Carlson with the Glennon Award. His deep compassion for all those in need, and support of our healing ministry, has been unwavering.”
Archbishop Emeritus Carlson, in an email message to the Review, said that reflecting on the last 11 years, “I continue to thank God for the great generosity of the Catholic community and their support for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. I believe the hand of God is present in the incredible work done by everyone at Cardinal Glennon. The results are evident in the beautiful faces of the children that receive this help, and the families who witness the care their children are receiving.”
Glennon Glow is a virtual event this year. Past support has funded:
• Updates and expansion to the inpatient cancer unit on 4 North, including updated patient rooms, individual bathroom facilities and sleeper sofas so parents can spend the night.
• Renovations to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, where children receive the latest lifesaving treatment.
• Additional care coordinators to help families navigate the complexities of their child’s care.
• Participation in nearly 60 clinical trials, giving children in St. Louis access to the latest research.
The Costas Center is a member of many of cancer research groups, enabling physicians to provide the latest in treatment protocols and clinical trials. Care coordination, child life, mental health and other supportive services all rely on donor support to address the physical, social and spiritual needs of families. The center is offering CAR T-cell therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a new software that automates chemotherapy dosing for the safest care.