DUKE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY

Philanthropic Leaders for Children's Health

The Duke Children's Society is a special group of annual donors committed to the Duke Children’s mission of clinical care, pediatric research, and provider education that will impact children not just in Durham, but around the world. Support from members of this society provides the philanthropic leadership for this critical work.

This society honors the generosity of supporters who have given $2,500 or more during a fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) to Duke Children’s. The impact of your generosity is significant as we continue our mission to provide hope and healing for the children and families we treat. Your Duke Children’s Society commitment helps us continue our mission to build a healthier tomorrow for our children.

Please make your gift today! For more information, contact Culver Scales.
 

In recognition of your Duke Children’s Society membership, you will receive the following benefits:

  • Special invitation for two people to a Duke Children’s annual event
  • Your name listed on the Annual wall in the Duke Children’s Health Center and the Leadership Society or Innovators Society wall in Duke Clinic
  • Subscription to Stories magazine twice a year and The Bounce quarterly
    e-newsletter
A blue Duke Children's Bouncing Ball with the text "Duke Children's Society" juxtaposed on top of it.

“It is not exaggeratory to say, ‘These providers saved my child’s life.’ I will forever be grateful for how they have cared for him. He has a complicated body and multiple providers across various teams work closely together to come up with the best plan for him.” - Julie Forrest, Duke Children's Patient Parent and Duke Children's Society Member

Zach and his parents, Julie and James

Duke Children's Society Levels: 

Partners - $2,500
Your Partners level gift can provide 11 infant seats to comfort and soothe babies in the Intensive Care Nursery.

Champions - $5,000
Your Champions level gift can fund the pet therapy research program for over a year to comfort and calm children receiving treatment.

Leadership - $10,000
Your Leadership level gift can cover the cost of 20 3D-printed hearts for planning complex pediatric heart surgeries.

Innovators - $25,000
Your Innovators level gift can provide an advanced patient simulator to train neonatology teams in the care of pre-term babies.

The Duke Children's Society Celebration

The fifth-annual Duke Children’s Society Celebration was held the evening of October 8, 2026 at Penn Pavilion on the campus of Duke University. The Duke Children’s Society recognizes annual donors who give $2,500 or more cumulatively to any area at Duke Children’s. 

Over 175 attendees heard from Debbie Taylor, Assistant Vice President of Duke Children's and Duke Cancer Institute Development, and Bradley S. Marino, MD, MPP, MSCE, MBA, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine and pediatrician-in-chief for Duke University Health System. These attendees were our first audience to meet our 2026-2027 Champion Patient Ambassadors. 

The evening began with a research-focused cocktail hour, where guests had the opportunity to mingle with four Duke Children’s physician-scientists and learn about their work through interactive research stations. During the formal program, Dr. Reid Chamberlain, MD, MSCI, a pediatric cardiologist, shared updates on advances in interventional cardiac catheterization and the treatment of infants and children with acquired and congenital heart disease.

The celebration also included the presentation of two special honors: the Duke Children’s Hero Award and the Duke Children’s Partner Award. 

The Duke Children's Hero Award

The Duke Children’s Hero Award is presented to individuals who have shown an exceptional commitment to furthering Duke Children’s mission of providing the best medical care to every child. The honoree or honorees must be advocates, supporters, partners, and friends of Duke Children’s who are willing to devote their own time and resources to help our patients, providers, researchers, and staff. The award was established in 2018 to show our gratitude to those who hold Duke Children’s in a special place in their hearts.

Hero Award 2026

The 2026 Hero Award honored the National Stem Cell Foundation for its significant financial support of the Pediatric Promise Fund and its steadfast commitment to children and families navigating the transplant journey. Through its partnership with Duke Children’s, the foundation helps provide critical resources to patients during challenging periods of care while also supporting research and innovation that can expand treatment possibilities for children with serious medical conditions.

Duke Children's Hero Award Winners:

The Duke Children's Partner Award

The Duke Children’s Partner Award is a new award to recognize and honor our corporate partners who have shown an exceptional commitment to furthering the Duke Children’s mission of providing the best medical care to every child. These organizations must be staunch advocates for Duke Children’s, aligning their social responsibility with our missions of world-class clinical care, pediatric research that saves lives, and provider education that will shape the pediatricians of tomorrow.

2026 Partner Award

The 2026 Partner Award was presented to Nina’s School of Dance, whose connection to Duke Children’s spans nearly four decades. Through its annual jazz show, Multiple Choices for the Children, the dance school has consistently rallied its community to give back, raising upwards of $20,000 each year. This remarkable tradition of philanthropy has provided sustained support for Duke Children’s and demonstrated the powerful impact of a community coming together for children.

Duke Children's Partner Award Winners:

YOUR GIFT CREATES A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

We appreciate gifts of any size, making sure that your generosity is used to advance medical care and provide a better tomorrow for our children. You can choose a dollar amount to give now, or continue exploring more ways that you can support Duke Children’s.