ESPN's Laura Rutledge to Co-Host Connecticut Children's Foundation Gala Alongside Young Patient Who Inspires Her

On Christmas Day in 2023, her then-7-month-old son, Jack, experienced a frightening medical emergency while the family was out of state. After receiving emergency care and becoming stable enough to travel home, Jack was brought to Connecticut Children's, where pediatric specialists continued his treatment and monitored his recovery.

What followed were months of appointments, uncertainty and the kind of worry every parent hopes never to experience. Today, Jack is a happy, healthy 3-year-old, and his family will never forget the team that helped him get there.

"When Jack was just 7 months old, our family went through one of the scariest experiences of our lives," said Laura Rutledge, ESPN host and 2026 Gala co-emcee. "Once he was stable enough to come home, we went straight to Connecticut Children's. The doctors and care teams were incredible, not only in the care they gave Jack, but in the way they cared for us as parents. After so many follow-up visits, one of the happiest moments of our lives was hearing that Jack didn't need to come back anymore. He's now a healthy, happy 3-year-old, and we'll be forever grateful. To have the opportunity to give back to a place that means so much to our family is incredibly special."

Sharing the stage with Rutledge will be Daniela, a Connecticut Children's patient ambassador whose own journey is a powerful reminder of why specialized pediatric care matters.
Diagnosed with beta thalassemia, a rare genetic blood disorder, at just 14 months old, Daniela has relied on blood transfusions every three weeks for most of her life. Her care involves specialists across multiple disciplines, and her treatment requires ongoing monitoring to manage serious complications.

But Daniela's story is about far more than her diagnosis.

She's a dancer, a student and a young girl with big dreams, including one day becoming a nurse so she can help children facing challenges like her own.

"I've spent a lot of my life at Connecticut Children's, and the doctors and nurses here have helped me through so much," said Daniela, Connecticut Children's All-Star patient ambassador and Gala co-emcee. "I know what it's like to be scared or have a hard day, but I also know how much it means to have people who care about you. I'm really excited to share the stage with Laura and show everyone that kids like me can do amazing things despite a scary diagnosis. I hope people leave knowing how much their support matters."

 

The Connecticut Children's Foundation Gala, presented by Johnson Brunetti, will take place Saturday, November 14, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
Under this year's celestial-inspired theme, Lighting the Way Forward, the sold-out event will bring together nearly 1,100 philanthropists, business and community leaders, grateful patient families and special guests for an evening of inspiration, entertainment and giving.

The Gala is an important part of Connecticut Children's 100% Campaign, a comprehensive $250 million fundraising effort to expand access to specialized pediatric care, advance research and innovation, and help build a healthier future for children and families.

Building on Connecticut Children's 100% Kids brand promise, the Campaign invites the community to be 100% for the children who depend on Connecticut's only health system dedicated exclusively to kids.

"There's something incredibly powerful about having Laura and Daniela share the stage," said Shannon R. Sullivan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut Children's. "Laura knows what it feels like to be a parent desperately hoping your child will be okay. Daniela knows what it means to grow up with a medical condition that requires extraordinary strength and a team of people beside you every step of the way. Their stories are different, but they remind us why we're here. Every child deserves the chance to get better, grow up, chase their dreams and simply be a kid. That's what being 100% dedicated to kids means to us. And it's why we're asking our entire community to be 100%."

The evening will feature a special lineup of ESPN personalities and notable guests, including Field Yates, Seth Greenberg, Alexis Nunes and Gary Striewski, along with Netflix’s Elle Duncan and UConn men's basketball head coach Dan Hurley.

Guests will also enjoy a live performance by Sugar Ray, the multi-platinum band fronted by Hartford native Mark McGrath, known for hits including "Fly" and "Every Morning," and a performance by the talented young musicians of Joyous String Ensemble.

Throughout the evening, Connecticut Children's patient ambassadors and their families will be at the heart of the celebration, sharing the stories that inspire the organization's mission.
This year's Bid for Kids live fundraising appeal will benefit Connecticut Children's Emergency Department, where specially trained pediatric teams care for children facing some of life's most frightening and unexpected moments.

It's a cause that carries special meaning for Rutledge, whose own family's journey began with an unexpected medical emergency.

The Gala has been named Best Charity Event in Hartford five of the past six years and raised more than $3 million in 2025.

While this year's event is sold out, the community can still make a difference by participating in the online silent auction or making a donation.

For more information, visit:
https://www.connecticutchildrensfoundation.org/connecticut-childrens-foundation-gala

Media Opportunities

WHAT: 2026 Connecticut Children's Foundation Gala — Lighting the Way Forward

WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2026
VIP red carpet and media interviews: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Gala: 6 p.m.–midnight

WHERE: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut

FEATURED GUESTS: Laura Rutledge, Daniela and other Connecticut Children's patient ambassadors, Shannon Sullivan, ESPN personalities, UConn men's basketball coach Dan Hurley and special guests.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Monica Buchanan
Vice President, Strategic Communications
Connecticut Children's
mbuchanan [at] connecticutchildrens.org