At Driscoll Children’s Hospital, it’s our job to treat our patients so that kids can get back to being kids.

But it takes financial resources to offer the best healthcare possible, and new, cutting-edge technology can be especially expensive. Driscoll, a not-for-profit hospital established in 1953 according to the will of Clara Driscoll, philanthropist and Savior of the Alamo, depends on the generosity of donors in its quest to serve the children and families of South Texas.

Thanks to attendees at the recent 30th annual Fiesta de los Niños, thousands of children soon will be smiling and living normal lives again, with the help of the more than $1.17 million raised.

The funds are earmarked for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), two departments devoted to treating children at a time they need critical care the most. A mobile CT scanner will be purchased with the funds raised, providing better care for the brave kids who fight to get better at Driscoll every day.

“As the number of children needing help at Driscoll continues to increase, so does the need to stay up to date on medical advances. We are thrilled to support the purchase of state-of-the-art technology that extends the high quality of care given to patients at Driscoll Children’s Hospital,” said Sean Pieri, Vice President, Development, Driscoll Children’s Hospital. “This truly keeps Driscoll on the leading edge in pediatric healthcare.”

In addition, more than $90,000 was raised for Driscoll’s Rehabilitation Department through Valero’s Light Up the Night match. The funds will be used to purchase equipment so that Rehab patients will better be able to hear, speak and interact with others.

Led by longtime title sponsor Flint Hills Resources, Fiesta de los Niños is Driscoll’s largest annual fundraising event. Each year, 100 percent of the funds raised directly benefits the hospital and its patients.

“Thirty years is an incredible milestone. Flint Hills has been incredibly generous in its 30 years of dedicated service to Driscoll and its children. We also are thankful for the many supporters and volunteers who ensure that our doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff help kids get back to being kids,” said Sean.