Flintridge Guild raises annual funds for Huntington Health

Every year since 1953, the Flintridge Guild has hosted a fundraising event for Huntington Health during their horse show at the Flintridge Riding Club. Formally named the “Children’s Horse Show” (riders are 18 years old or younger), this three-day event in La Canada Flintridge is the oldest children’s horse show west of the Mississippi. The event on April 24-27 marked its 103rd year and nearly 75 years of support for Huntington.

“We are incredibly grateful to Flintridge Guild for its enduring support and the vital impact it continues to have on the hospital and community,” said Lori J. Morgan, MD MBA, president and CEO, Huntington Health. “The Guild has donated $2.4 million to Huntington Hospital since the early 1950’s. Thank you to the many members, volunteers and sponsors who make this a cherished event every year.”

Over the years, the fundraiser has enabled Huntington to make critical advancements for the hospital to benefit the community. Some of the first proceeds went towards a paramedic communication system, a nuclear imaging gamma camera system for radiology, and expanding the emergency department and trauma center.

In the past few years, the guild has raised funds to employ a lung cancer nurse navigator and welcome a new K-9 security dog (aptly named “Flint”) to the team. Recently proceeds supported an OmniBed Carestation for Huntington’s Level IIIb neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The OmniBed Carestation is an incubator and radiant warmer with a pressure-diffusing mattress, creating a controlled microenvironment that protects babies from heat loss when they are not able to fully regulate their body temperature.

With the money raised at this year’s show, Huntington has pledged to purchase CritiCool technology for the NICU. CritiCool is used to provide a medical treatment called therapeutic hypothermia (i.e., whole body cooling) for newborns experiencing oxygen deprivation or reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs. Studies have shown that therapeutic hypothermia can reduce mortality and brain injury, decrease the risk of long-term complications like cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and hearing/vision problems, and can improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

This year’s event was especially poignant because the Flintridge Guild honored and recognized local first responders who served in the Eaton Fire. Live music and libations raised spirits as participants bid for items in a special silent auction. The proceeds went to the Huntington Hospital Caregiver Wellness – Wildfire Relief fund.