Richie White was born on August 31, 1987. At just eighteen months he was diagnosed with an ependymoma tumor on the base of his brain. His short life included five brain surgeries and eight related surgeries.

On September 3, 1991, Richie passed away just three days after his fourth birthday.

His legacy today lives on at Cleveland Clinic Children’s with the Richie White Pediatric Family Fund. Quite simply, the Fund’s goal is “Making Children Smile.” Since 1992, the Richie White Fund has entertained children at Children’s with summer picnics, Christmas and holiday parties.

Every year around the holidays, children of many races, religions, and national origins sit on Santa’s lap, eat some treats and enjoy a special gift. They SMILE. Their smiles, along with those of their parents, doctors, nurses and our family, reflect the success of the Richie White Fund. Over the last 19 years, The Fund has purchased gifts for over 2,000 children during the holidays.

We hope to continue our annual picnics and holiday parties. Thank you for supporting the Richie White Pediatric Family Fund, and helping us to bring SMILES to children in the hospital.

Linda and Richard White

The 2016 Richie White Fund Christmas Party Video can be found here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ntB-B2we_ns

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