Alex Cleary is an 18-year old college student and rugby player who visited Seattle Children’s Hospital for the first time as a one-week old infant.  This was the beginning of a years-long journey to correct a cleft lip and palate. 
 
 A cleft palate is a birth defect in which the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose, the result of facial tissues not joining properly during pre-natal development.  This condition can be successfully treated with surgery. Alex’s treatment at Seattle Children’s included lip repair at the age of three months, palate repair as a one-year old, a bone marrow transplant when he was 9, cosmetic nose and lip surgery when he turned 12, four years wearing braces, and jaw surgery when he turned 18.  His final surgery is scheduled for November 7.

Alex, who started playing rugby as a sixth grader, is today a member of the U.S. Youth Olympics Rugby team and will be traveling to Buenos Aires, Argentina to participate in the Youth Olympic Games from October 6-18.  As a Youth Olympian, Alex has the opportunity to train with some of his favorite players, including Perry Baker and Carlin Isles.
          
In high school, Alex served as captain of his high school football, wrestling, and rugby teams, and recently received an athletic scholarship to attend Central Washington University.  He’ll be playing rugby for Central beginning Winter Quarter 2019.  Last year CWU was ranked #15 nationally in NCAA Division I Rugby.
 
Being a Youth Olympian calls for many responsibilities and a demanding travel schedule.  This past summer, Alex trained with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Rugby Team in Chula Vista, California and Lake Placid, New York, for rugby trials.  His future plans include earning his bachelor’s degree and continuing to play rugby into the future, possibly as a coach or team manager.  When asked about becoming a member of the Seattle Seawolves, Alex replied with a grin, “Yeah, I’ve definitely thought about it.  That would be really awesome.”
 
Alex’s proud grandmother, Rosemary Weimer, has been a champion for her grandson throughout both his medical journey and his rugby journey.  She has also been, for many years, a dedicated member and officer of the Seattle Festival of Trees Guild (formerly the Dr. Forest Flashman Guild) and has been a prolific holiday tree designer.
 
Alex and his family would like to thank, in particular, Dr. Joseph Gruss, an Endowed Chair in Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery at Seattle Children’s, and Dr. Hitesh Kapadia, the Division Chief of Craniofacial Orthodontics.

We're still accepting sponsorships until the end of October.  If you like to participate in the Festival of Trees as a sponsor go here.

There are still several one-of-a-kind themed trees available for purchase for your home or business. Prices go up November 17. Choose your favorite here.

New this year, a one of a kind, 9 foot tree loaded with Harry Potter memorabilia, "Holidays with Harry". Topped with a Sorting Hat, it comes with a luggage cart, Fawkes the Phoenix, Dobby and other figurines, a Monster Book of Monsters, a Marauder's Map and much, much more. Perfect for the Harry Potter fan. 

Would you like to have this tree for your home or business? Make a bid on this tree and it could be yours. 

See more photos and details about bidding here. 

Tickets are still available for the Gala Dinner and Auction at the gorgeous Fairmont Olympic hotel. It will be a beautiful, elegant, festive evening with more than 20 trees for viewing, entertainment by Geoffrey Castle, gourmet food and wine, and a silent and live auction. Saturday evening, November 17.

Invite friends and family of all ages to the FREE Celebration on Sunday, November 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. for the Fairmont tree lighting, the opening of the Teddy Bear Suite, and cookies, cocoa, storytelling, Santa, choirs, gift-shopping and more. Start a new tradition at this perfect way to usher in the Seattle Holiday season. 

Want to do more? We have a number of ways you can partner with Seattle Festival of Trees.  Seattle Children's Uncompensated Care and Autism Center needs you to help make a difference. See below for how you can partner with us:

• Become a sponsor
• Purchase a tree
• Purchase gala tickets
• Make a donation
• Donate items to holiday gift baskets
• Volunteer at our events
• Join our guild

​Unfortunately, in the spring of 2016, as he began a typical hockey season, Bretton began to experience pain and swelling in the previously injured right ankle. An appointment was scheduled with the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine team at Seattle Children’s Hospital. An MRI of the ankle was ordered in hopes of expediting Bretton’s return to the ice for hockey season. Doctors initially suspected a bone infection, but a bone biopsy two days later provided devastating news. Bretton was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the heel of his right foot. Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer that most often occurs in children and young adults.

A special feature ahead of this year’s Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT) is the Silent Auction Registry List!  Many supporters have already chosen auction items to add to baskets that will be featured for sale at a number of events throughout the celebration.

The Registry List makes it easy for patrons and supporters to donate items via a gift registry.  Supporters are asked to follow these easy steps:

This is an early and special way to show your support for the Seattle Festival of Trees!  Many thanks to all who have participated and donated to this great cause!

A total of 23 designer trees have been created for this year’s Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT) by the talented members of the SFOT Guild.  All of these gorgeous trees will be available for viewing from November 17 - December 2 in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.  While the trees are already available for purchase online, they are going fast!  Early tree purchasers through September include:

On Sunday, November 18, at the annual SFOT Celebration, one beautiful designer tree, Christmas Cheer, will be raffled. The tree will be delivered to the winner's home or business on Monday, December 3.  Raffle tickets are priced at $10, and purchasers need not be present to win.  Proceeds from the raffle will benefit research at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The annual Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT) provides a great opportunity for individuals and corporations to support this event’s primary goals:  to raise funds for the hospital’s Uncompensated Care Fund (allowing all families to receive care despite their ability to pay) and to raise funds for the hospital’s Autism Center.  We thank the following individuals and corporations who have already made monetary commitments at the following levels:

PLATINUM LEVEL  ($20,000)

• Bungie, Inc. - Bellevue, Washington
  

GOLD LEVEL               ($15,000)

• The John Goodman Foundation - Seattle, Washington
• Sequoyah Electric - Redmond, Washington

SILVER LEVEL           ($10,000)

• Baird Private Wealth Mgmt - Seattle, Washington
• Microsoft Corporation - Redmond, Washington
• Patrick and Amy Schlight - Seattle, Washington
• Wold Enterprises / Nautical Landing Marina - Seattle, Washington
• ZGF Architects - Seattle, Washington

EVERGREEN LEVEL          ($3,000)

• Acura of Bellevue - Bellevue, Washington
• Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers/J. Kevin Callaghan - Seattle, Washington
• Best Plumbing - Seattle, Washington
• CKC (Cary Kopczynski & Co.) - Bellevue, Washington
• William “Lile” Gowen - Seattle, Washington
• HAILCO - Denver, Colorado
• Theresa and Patrick Harvey - Seattle, Washington
• Lynnwood Honda - Lynnwood, Washington
• N C Machinery - Seattle, Washington
• John L Scott Foundation - Bellevue, Washington
• Seattle Gourmet Foods - Seattle, Washington

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT TREE       ($8,000 combined)

• Raisbeck Engineering - Seattle, Washington
• Robbi and Doug DeVries - Bothell, Washington

MEDIA SPONSORS

• KING 5 – Seattle, Washington
• Warm 106.9 – Seattle, Washington

Go to our sponsor page to learn how to become a sponsor and support this beautiful, annual fundraiser for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

 We are just TWO MONTHS AWAY from a treasured Seattle celebration!  The SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF TREES, one of the city’s most spectacular holiday events, is held each November at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.  DON’T MISS OUT!

DINNER AND AUCTION    
Saturday, November 17
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Purchase tickets here

CELEBRATION    
Storytellers, caroling, Santa photos, and Silent Auction.
Sunday, November 18
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

TEDDY BEAR SUITE AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Friday, November 23 – Wednesday, December 26 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Special Opening the The Teddy Bear Suite at the Celebration: Nov 18, 1 - 4 pm for the enjoyment of our Celebration guests. 

GET INVOLVED!

• Become a sponsor
• Purchase a tree
• Purchase gala tickets
• Make a donation
• Donate items to holiday gift baskets
• Join our guild

Your support of this event helps Seattle Children’s Hospital provide the best health care possible to every family, regardless of their ability to pay, and also provides funding to the hospital’s Autism Center.  

Mac’s family appreciates the ongoing support they receive from Dr. Gary Stobbe, a Program Director at Seattle Children’s Autism Center; as well as  Lynn Vigo and Andrea Valdez, team members in Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine; and from all of the amazing nurses at the Center.

For the first time, this year’s Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT) has added a special feature:  An Amazon wish list of items for the event’s Silent Auction!
 
This new feature makes it easy for patrons and donors to participate ahead of this year’s event by donating items via a gift registry (very similar to a wedding registry.) 
 
Here's all you need to do:

Autism is a complex neurological disorder that affects the way a person thinks, behaves, communicates and interacts with others. Autism is a spectrum disorder (ASD), which means it affects some individuals mildly at one end and more severely at the other. Seattle Children's Autism Center is a leader in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and support for ASD. See more about the Autism Center here.

For this year’s Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT), a total of 23 trees were designed and created by the talented members of the SFOT Guild.  These gorgeous trees will be available for viewing from November 17-28 in the Grand Motor Entrance and the Mezzanine of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.

The following spectacular trees are still available. Any one of them can be purchased online:

LIVE AUCTION TREE:
As if the above choices weren’t enough, this year’s LIVE AUCTION tree, Seattle Greetings, shown below, will be auctioned off on the night of the SFOT Gala, Saturday, November 17.  Seattle Greetings features iconic Seattle memorabilia and assorted gift cards for Seattle attractions and other items.
 
That “season to be jolly” is fast approaching!  Get ready now and take the opportunity to purchase a gorgeous holiday tree while supporting one of Seattle’s most worthy treasures, Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The annual Seattle Festival of Trees provides a great opportunity for individuals and corporations to help support the primary goal of the event: raising funds to benefit the Uncompensated Care Fund and the Autism Center at Seattle Children’s Hospital. 
 
The following individuals and corporations have committed to the Seattle Festival of Trees at the following sponsorship levels:

PLATINUM LEVEL   ($20,000)

• Bungie, Inc. - Bellevue, Washington 

GOLD LEVEL   ($15,000)

• The John Goodman Foundation - Seattle, Washington
• Sequoyah Electric - Redmond, Washington

SILVER LEVEL   ($10,000)

• Baird Private Wealth Management  - Seattle, Washington
• Wold Enterprises / Nautical Landing Marina - Seattle, Washington
• ZGF Architects – Seattle, Washington

BRONZE LEVEL   ($5,000)

• Raisbeck Engineering – Tukwila, Washington

EVERGREEN LEVEL  ($3,000)

• Acura of Bellevue - Bellevue, Washington
• Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers/J. Kevin Callaghan - Seattle, Washington
• Best Plumbing - Seattle, Washington
• CKC (Cary Kopczynski & Co.) - Bellevue, Washington
• William Lile Gowen - Seattle, Washington
• HAILCO - Denver, Colorado
• Theresa and Patrick Harvey - Seattle, Washington
• Lynnwood Honda - Lynnwood, Washington
• N C Machinery - Seattle, Washington
• John L Scott Foundation - Bellevue, Washington
• Seattle Gourmet Foods - Seattle, Washington

MEDIA SPONSORS 

• KING 5 – Seattle, Washington
• Warm 106.9 – Seattle, Washington
  

 
We are so grateful to the above donors for their generous support and commitment to this annual event!  If you or your company would like to be a sponsor for this beautiful, annual fundraiser for Seattle Children’s Hospital, go here.

In 2013, Bella’s heart disease changed. For years, the main issue had been the thickness of the walls of her heart, but over time her symptoms began to show signs of dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood effectively.  A subcutaneous implantable defibrillator, similar to a pacemaker, was implanted under Bella’s chest skin at the University of Washington Medical Center, which partners with Seattle Children’s in the care of older adolescents. She was one of the first children to have a defibrillator implanted directly under her skin instead of in the great vessels of her chest. The device sends electrical shocks to the heart to treat an abnormal heartbeat.

Unfortunately, at the age of 17, Bella’s heart condition began to deteriorate. In February 2016, doctors made a choice with Bella and her family to place her on the heart transplant wait list under a status of mid-urgency. In March, Bella’s defibrillator triggered for the first time. She was rushed to Seattle Children’s where she was admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) for the next week.

A month later, Bella showed signs of a stroke and was rushed once again to Seattle Children’s where doctors partnered with the Harborview Medical Center stroke team to remove a blood clot that had led to her stroke. Fortunately for Bella, the fast responses of family, Seattle Children’s, and Harborview Medical Center prevented her stroke from causing permanent damage.

As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, the annual Seattle Festival of Trees provides a great opportunity for individuals and corporations to help support its primary goal: to raise funds for Seattle Children’s Hospital, benefiting the hospital’s uncompensated care fund and the Autism Center.

Thus far, the following individuals and corporations have committed to the festival at the following sponsorship levels:

EVERGREEN LEVEL  ($3,000)

• Acura of Bellevue - Bellevue, Washington
• Badgley Phelps Wealth Managers/J. Kevin Callaghan - Seattle, Washington
• Best Plumbing - Seattle, Washington
• CKC (Cary Kopczynski & Co.) - Bellevue, Washington
• William Gowen - Seattle, Washington
• HAILCO - Denver, Colorado
• Theresa and Patrick Harvey - Seattle, Washington
• N C Machinery - Seattle, Washington
• John L Scott Foundation - Bellevue, Washington
• Seattle Gourmet Foods - Seattle, Washington

SILVER LEVEL   ($10,000)

• Baird Private Wealth Management - Seattle, Washington
• Wold Enterprises / Nautical Landing Marina - Seattle, Washington

GOLD LEVEL   ($15,000)

• The John Goodman Foundation - Seattle, Washington
• Sequoyah Electric - Redmond, Washington

PLATINUM LEVEL   ($20,000)

• Bungie, Inc. - Bellevue, Washington 

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT TREE   ($5,000)

• Robbi & Doug DeVries, of Bothell, Washington, are generously sponsoring the elegant Christmas tree that is created annually for the atrium in Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

For information on the benefits at each sponsorship level and how to become a sponsor, please click on the following link: http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/ways-to-help.html/#sponsor

We are now just FOUR MONTHS AWAY from the SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF TREES, one of the city’s most spectacular series of holiday events, held each November in the gorgeous Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.

This annual event includes a gala dinner and auction on November 17, a holiday celebration on November 18, a display of Christmas trees from November 17 through November 28, and a Teddy Bear Suite and Gingerbread House, open from November 23 through December 26.

Celebrating its 41st annual series of events, the primary purpose of the SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF TREES is to raise funds for Seattle Children’s Hospital, with proceeds benefiting the hospital’s uncompensated care fund and the Autism Center.

Holiday events include:
 
DINNER AND AUCTION  
Saturday, November 17 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets: http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/events.html/#gala
 
CELEBRATION  Storytellers, choirs, cookies, Santa photos, silent auction.
Sunday, November 18 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
 
TEDDY BEAR SUITE AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Friday, November 23 – Wednesday, December 26 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Each January, with the Seattle Festival of Trees (SFOT) and holiday celebrations behind, talented and dedicated tree designers of the Festival of Trees Guild (formerly the Dr. Forrest Flashman Guild) are already set to begin their yearlong process of designing and creating approximately 25 holiday trees for the annual festival.  By November, their unique array of gorgeous trees is ready to dazzle the Seattle Fairmont Hotel guests and become the glittery focus of this special fund-raising effort for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Typically, a tree’s design involves a combined review of existing décor in guild storage, creative bargain shopping, donations from wholesale showrooms, and “keeping eyes open” for fresh design ideas.  Rosemary’s favorite part of volunteering has been deciding on new themes for the trees, new color combinations, and choices for the elaborate tree toppers.  It is definitely a yearlong process.

As a lifetime member of the Festival of Trees Guild, Rosemary has personally been designing and creating trees for over 30 years.  Prior to her involvement in the SFOT, she designed Christmas trees for the American Club in Taiwan, while she and her husband lived in Taipei.  When they returned to Seattle, a friend invited her to join the Flashman Guild and she became hooked on volunteering for Seattle Children’s.  

Each year, there are approximately 200 cases of Ewing sarcoma diagnosed in the United States, mainly to children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 20.  Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones.  It most often begins in the long bones of the pelvis, legs, or arms.  While its cause is typically due to a chromosomal abnormality, it is a highly treatable form of cancer. 

Our patient profile this month is Michael, diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in his left shinbone in June 2015, at the age of 14.  “I was getting ready for summer vacation and a trip of a lifetime to Europe. Instead, my life changed overnight.” 

At Seattle Children’s, Michael received chemotherapy and limb salvage surgery, performed by Dr. Ernest “Chappie” Conrad.  By February 2016, Michael had no evidence of disease.  He recovered over the course of 18 months, progressing from a wheelchair to a walker to crutches to a cane.  During junior high and high school, he remained active in Drama, Band, Student Government, and Boy Scouts. Today he is a Ewing sarcoma survivor with no evidence of disease.  Last year, he spent part of his summer hiking in Yellowstone National Park.

Michael is just one of thousands of young patients treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital each year, many of whom benefit from funding provided through the generosity of donors to the hospital’s uncompensated care needs.

Patients like Michael are why our Seattle Festival of Trees team works all year to produce an event each November that raises money for Seattle Children’s Uncompensated Care Fund and the Autism Center. We welcome your involvement by donating or volunteering!  

Each year, numerous companies and individuals step up to sponsor SEATTLE FESTIVAL OF TREES. This community support helps to fulfill the festival’s primary purpose:  to enable Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Autism Center to provide the finest health care to children regardless of a family’s ability to pay.  Sponsorship is possible at five different levels of charitable contribution.  These levels and their benefits include:

EVERGREEN SPONSOR  ($3,000 donation)

• Sponsor is recognized on patient storyboard in front of custom-designed tree.
• Sponsor receives plaque for display in home or business.
• Sponsor is recognized on all printed materials.

 
BRONZE SPONSOR  ($5,000 donation)

• Sponsor is recognized on all printed materials.
• Sponsor is featured on a full-page ad/promo in the program.
• Sponsor receives four tickets to the Gala.
• Sponsor and guests are provided champagne at their table.
• Sponsor is offered option for product opportunities at Gala; i.e., corporate gift bags.

 
SILVER SPONSOR  ($10,000 donation)

• Sponsor is recognized on all printed materials.
• Sponsor is featured on a full-page ad/promo in the Gala program.
• Sponsor receives ten tickets to the Gala with preferential seating.
• Sponsor and guests are provided five bottles of champagne at their table.
• Sponsor is offered option for product opportunities at Gala; i.e., corporate gift bags.

 
GOLD SPONSOR  ($15,000 donation)

• Sponsor is recognized on all printed materials.
• Sponsor is featured on a full-page ad/promo in the Gala program.
• Sponsor receives ten tickets to the Gala with preferential seating.
• Sponsor and guests are provided five bottles of custom-labeled champagne.
• Sponsor is offered option for product opportunities at Gala; i.e., corporate gift bags.
• Sponsor is recognized on patient storyboard in front of custom-designed tree.

 
PLATINUM SPONSOR  ($20,000 donation )

• Sponsor is recognized on all printed materials.
• Sponsor is featured on a full-page ad/promo in the Gala program.
• Sponsor receives ten tickets to the Gala with preferential seating.
• Sponsor and guests are provided five bottles of custom-labeled champagne.
• Sponsor is offered option for product opportunities at Gala; i.e., corporate gift bags.
• Sponsor is recognized on patient storyboard in front of custom-designed tree.
• Sponsor’s company logo is featured on the back of bid cards at the Gala.

          
To become a sponsor of this year’s Seattle Festival of Trees event, please click on “Become a Sponsor” at the following link: http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/sponsors

We are now just FIVE MONTHS AWAY from Seattle’s annual FESTIVAL OF TREES, one of the city’s most spectacular series of holiday events, held each November in the gorgeous Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle.
 
This annual event includes a gala dinner and auction on November 17, a holiday celebration on November 18, a display of Christmas trees from November 17 through November 28, and a Teddy Bear Suite and Gingerbread House, open from November 23 through December 26.
 
Celebrating its 41st annual series of events, the primary purpose of the FESTIVAL OF TREES is the raising of funds for Seattle Children’s Hospital, with proceeds directed to the hospital’s uncompensated care fund and to its Autism Center.

Details regarding each of this year’s holiday events are as follows:
 
DINNER AND AUCTION  Mingle with supporters and friends surrounded by beautiful designer Christmas trees, many of which will be available for purchase. Drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction precede dinner, entertainment, and a live auction. Attendees must be 21+.
Saturday, November 17 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
To purchase tickets: http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/events.html/#gala
 
CELEBRATION  A free community event with storytellers, choirs, homemade cookies, the “Lighting of the Fairmont Olympic Grand Christmas Tree,” the “Opening of the Teddy Bear Suite,” Santa photos, and a holiday silent auction--all amid the splendor of magnificent designer trees.
Sunday, November 18 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
 
TEDDY BEAR SUITE AND GINGERBREAD HOUSE A Fairmont hotel suite is magically transformed into a teddy bear wonderland; and a life-sized gingerbread house welcomes guests at the hotel’s entrance.
Friday, November 23 – Wednesday, December 26 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

It's not too early to get involved!  You can become a sponsor, purchase gala tickets, or make a donation today to enable Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Autism Center to provide the finest health care to children regardless of a family’s ability to pay.  Thank you for your support!