Teresa Simek, ARNP, MN, CDE, was a beloved pediatric nurse at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital for 25 years.

In 1998, as case manager of clinical service in the nephrology clinic, she organized and launched “Kids and Kidneys” annual reunions from 1998 through 2004. They took place at the following locations: Snake Lake (1998); Pt. Defiance Zoo (1999, 2000); Washington State History Museum (2001); Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Game (2002); Museum of Glass (2003); and Tacoma Nature Center (2004).

She aimed to provide education, community, family support, and recognition of children’s successes in managing their care. She also included hospital staff with the intention of encouraging a respite from the demands of the professional role and relating informally with the children and their families.

Teresa bravely endured an aggressive brain cancer in late 2004 that prematurely denied her the opportunity to organize any future events.

In 2006, she established the Teresa's Fund Endowment to not only support patients of the nephrology clinic but to all specialty clinics and all children in the hospital with a medical condition. Since then, we’ve raised $65,606.67 for patients and their families coping with medical challenges, spending available account funds to help make Mary Bridge Children's Hospital an easy place for kids to get the care and support they need, like the purchase of blood pressure monitoring cuffs, Camp Erin for grieving children, and “Buzzy” devices that tickle the arm to assist children cope with “the poke.”

There is much to do and much more to imagine. Together with our family and friends, and all who wish to extend small acts of love to others, I invite you to join us with the advancement of Teresa’s Fund. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital serves more than 250,000 children every year and depends on the community's generosity to provide lifesaving care and services.

Will you make a gift today?