Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 2024 Gala Raises Nearly $5 Million to Support Pediatric Health Care and Research

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 5, 2024)—The 2024 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Gala united philanthropists, celebrities, local supporters and leaders in entertainment and business on Saturday, October 5 at The Event Deck at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles. The star-studded affair honored Chuck Lorre, Bernadette and Sugar Ray Leonard, and AEG with the Courage to Care Award, paid tribute to CHLA’s heroic nurses and featured a live performance by Demi Lovato. Hosted by husband and wife Jon Cryer and Lisa Joyner, the gala raised nearly $5 million to support the hospital’s leading-edge pediatric health care.

Perhaps the night’s most memorable moment happened when CHLA’s President and CEO, Paul S. Viviano, made a surprise announcement that Lorre has made a transformational gift—among the largest the hospital’s history—to create the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute, which will build comprehensive education and training opportunities across CHLA.

“The Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute will serve as a national model for educating the next generation of pediatric health care providers and researchers,” said Viviano. “From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you, Chuck, and the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, for your vision, your commitment, and your generosity.”

The biennial gala kicked-off with Cryer and Joyner welcoming the crowd. Cryer highlighted that they had all gathered to “celebrate some of the remarkable supporters who help make the absolutely essential work of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles possible.”

Viviano echoed Cryer’s sentiments and acknowledged the evening’s distinguished guests, honorees and CHLA’s team members. “Every day, CHLA doctors, nurses and team members are creating hope, building healthier futures, and making a monumental difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children,” Viviano said.

Actor and producer Colin Hanks presented the first Courage to Care Award to AEG, an organization that has generously supported CHLA for many years through partnerships and contributions, including investing in critical programs and services such as the Blood Donor Center, the Sports Medicine Program, pediatric neurosurgery research and the Children’s Fund. Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer of AEG, accepted the award.

“Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a place of healing, which has guided and inspired us with their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families,” Saucedo said. “They have set the standard for care and compassion, and AEG is truly grateful to be recognized by such a remarkable and respected institution.”

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, a steadfast CHLA supporter, took the stage next to pay an enthusiastic and heartfelt tribute to the evening’s Mission Ambassadors, CHLA nurses, for their unwavering commitment and compassion in caring for children in need.

Bernadette and Sugar Ray Leonard were also presented with the Courage to Care Award by CHLA Foundation Board of Trustees member and KOST 103.5 personality Ellen K, for their invaluable leadership in improving children’s lives at CHLA and beyond. They are longtime supporters of CHLA’s nationally ranked Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, raising awareness of and funding for life-changing research for children with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

“My father had diabetes, and Black adults are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than White adults—so the problem is personal to me,” Mr. Leonard said. “Two of the reasons researchers have identified for this disparity—social determinants of health, as they’re called—are lack of access to healthy food and lack of safe ways to exercise. These are two things I happen to know something about, and we felt like we could contribute. Being able to combine that with helping children at the same time? Well, it’s a no-brainer. The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation is fully committed, and it’s something that we’re intensely proud of.”

Acclaimed TV writer and producer Chuck Lorre accepted the final Courage to Care Award of the evening from actress Kaley Cuoco, who starred in Lorre’s hit show, “The Big Bang Theory.” Lorre was recognized for his commitment to advancing the future of pediatric health care. Last year, the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation’s $10 million gift to CHLA established the Chuck Lorre Research Scholars Program, which supports students from under-resourced communities throughout greater Los Angeles in pursuing careers in medicine and science.

“I find accepting awards somewhat embarrassing,” Lorre said. “Although I had been involved in some philanthropic efforts early on in my career, it was during the run of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ that I recognized I should do more, and I knew immediately that I wanted to invest in people, and help to create opportunities for others to be successful and pursue their dreams.”

Following Lorre’s tribute video, which included taped messages from a variety of stars including Allison Janney, Paul Reiser and Michael Douglas, Viviano returned to the stage to announce Lorre’s generous new gift to CHLA.

“I am profoundly honored to announce that this week, Chuck Lorre has made one of the three largest gifts in the history of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This truly transformational gift establishes the Chuck Lorre Pediatric Health Education Institute,” Viviano said, noting that for the past five years, the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation has been making a major impact on high school and college students studying research at CHLA, and this new gift vastly expands the scope of his investment in the future of health care professionals. “This is the first-ever comprehensive pediatric health education institute of its kind in the country. It will enhance the scope of how CHLA trains health professionals, from physicians to nurses, to clinical care providers, researchers, and the community.”

The hospital will share a formal announcement of Lorre’s gift later this month.

To conclude the evening, Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, actor, advocate and New York Times bestselling author Demi Lovato graced the stage with an electrifying performance including some of her biggest hits, such as “Confident,” “Sorry Not Sorry,” “Give Your Heart a Break,” and “Cool for the Summer.”

While onstage, Demi reminisced: “One of my favorite memories is visiting with patients one Christmas Eve. I was blown away by the positive energy that flowed through the halls. Every time I visit I am reminded of the compassionate care CHLA provides to its patients.”

Additional attendees included Al Yankovic, Crystal and Rob Minkoff, Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, Nikki DeLoach, Danielle Panabaker, Dougie Baldwin, Iain Armitage, Jesse Lally, Jessie Prez, Mark Hoppus, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Montana Jordan, Omar J. Dorsey, Rachel Bay Jones, Terence Carter, Will Sasso and more.

Sponsors of the 2024 CHLA Gala include Costco Wholesale, The Alesia Alpert Family Foundation, Kristin and Jeffrey Worthe, Eastdil Secured - Jay Borzi, Adam Edwards, JP Leveque, Roy March, Michael Van Konynenburg, AltaMed Health Services, BH Properties and Steve & Farah Gozini, The Goldhirsch Yellin Foundation, Thomas Pierce and the Children’s Oncology Support Fund, The Friese Foundation, Lana and Tony Safoian, the Tesoriero Family, The Danhakl Family Foundation, Go4theGoal Foundation, Los Angeles Marriott Business Council, and Beth Price.

About Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is at the forefront of pediatric medicine and is the largest provider of hospital care for children in California. Children’s Hospital is home to renowned experts who work together across disciplines to deliver inclusive and compassionate care, and drive advances that set pediatric standards across the nation and around the globe. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles delivers a level of care that is among the best in the world for a truly diverse population of children. The hospital is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals, including No. 1 in California and No. 1 in the Pacific U.S. region. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles embraces the hospital’s mission to create hope and build healthier futures. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is among the top 10 children’s hospitals for National Institutes of Health funding. The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles supports the full continuum of research, allowing physicians and scientists to translate discoveries into treatments and bring answers to families faster. The pediatric academic medical center also is home to one of the largest training programs for pediatricians in the United States. And the hospital’s commitment to building strong communities is evident in CHLA’s efforts to fight food insecurity, enhance health education and literacy, and introduce more people to careers in health care. To learn more, follow CHLA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X, formerly known as Twitter, and visit CHLA.org/blog.