WVU Medicine fundraiser looks to boost Mid-Ohio Valley child care

The Rorrer family of Beverly will be recognized at the WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital Mid-Ohio Valley Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center in Vienna. From left, Jordan Rorrer, son Kaiden Rorrer and Kayla Rorrer. (Photo Provided)

VIENNA — The second WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital Mid-Ohio Valley Gala to raise funds benefiting local children and their families returns 6 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Pointe Conference and Reception Center in Vienna.

The evening of “Gilded Glamour” will include food, music, dancing and live and silent auctions, organizers said.

“We are so grateful to all the parts of our state that come together to support our mission. Their help is vital to support our staff, and more importantly our patients at WVU Medicine Children’s,” Amy L. Bush, chief administrative officer for WVU Medicine Children’s, said. “Now that we are celebrating the one-year anniversary in our hospital, that mission takes on a whole new meaning. We will continue to use support like this to grow our healthcare team and programs to be there when our patients need us.”

The first WVU Medicine Children’s Mid-Ohio Valley Gala was held in 2022 and contributed to the purchase of a Pacifier Activated Lullaby for pediatric patients at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center through the Bid for Good portion of the program. The device treats premature babies who may need extra care to coordinate critical feeding skills.

Gala guests also will have the opportunity to contribute to the 2023 Bid for Good to purchase a Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, or F.E.E.S., device for Camden Clark Medical Center. The equipment will benefit local pediatric patients with swallowing disorders, which can have severe impacts on the quality of life for children and their families.

Kaiden Rorrer receives care as an infant. (Photo Provided)

In addition, this year’s Gilded Glamour Gala will honor a special local child and his family, Kaiden Rorrer, from Beverly, who has overcome many obstacles throughout his childhood. Despite the challenges he’s faced, he can rarely be found without a smile.

Kaiden was placed in foster care at an early age and required hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury he suffered shortly after turning 2. He received treatment at WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown where he spent time in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and required further inpatient care in a rehabilitation facility after being released from WVU Medicine Children’s.

Following hospitalization and rehabilitation, Kaiden re-entered foster care. In 2020, Kaiden’s former occupational therapist, Kayla Rorrer and her husband, Jordan, welcomed Kaiden into their home.

The Rorrer family has since adopted Kaiden and he has become a big brother to his sibling, Luca.

Kaiden remains under the care of specialists at WVU Medicine Children’s as he continues to heal and progress toward recovery.

Tickets to the WVU Medicine Children’s Mid-Ohio Valley Gala can be purchased at movchgala.com. The last day to purchase is Thursday. The event’s presenting sponsor wished to remain anonymous and Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration sponsored the decor.

For more information about the programs and services offered by WVU Medicine Children’s, go to WVUKids.com.

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