LOS ANGELES (May 9, 2011) – Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
announced today that longtime supporters Marion and John E.
Anderson have made a $50 million transformative gift for its
new state-of-the-art hospital building. In honor of the
couple’s generosity, the new hospital building will open its
doors on July 10 as the Marion and John E. Anderson
Pavilion. It will be the most technologically advanced
pediatric and adolescent hospital in the nation, leading the
way for a new generation of care.
“We are thrilled beyond words by Marion and John’s gift, the
latest in a long line of generous support from these two
leaders of the Los Angeles philanthropic community,” said
Richard D. Cordova, FACHE, president and chief executive
officer of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Marion has been
one of the key leaders of this institution for the past two
decades, and the Andersons’ philanthropic support is just
one aspect of how they’ve helped make us the best children’s
hospital in the West.”
“We feel so fortunate to be able to make this gift to the
children of Southern California and beyond,” said Marion.
“Children’s Hospital Los Angeles saves lives and offers hope
to tens of thousands of children and families each year.
This gift is our way of saying thank you to everyone at the
hospital. Their work is amazing and John and I can’t think
of a more deserving institution.”
In addition to serving on Children’s Hospital Board of
Trustees since 1989, Marion co-chaired the Living Proof:
the Campaign for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,
launched in 2003
to raise funds to build the new hospital and provide vital
support for The Saban Research Institute as well as clinical
and research programs. Under her leadership, the campaign
raised more than $1 billion, making it not only the most
successful fundraising effort in Children’s Hospital
history, but also the only single fundraising campaign by a
freestanding, independent children’s hospital to raise $1
billion.
“Marion and John have been committed to Children’s Hospital
Los Angeles and this campaign from day one,” said John D.
“Jack” Pettker, Marion’s co-chair on the hospital’s Board of
Trustees and the Living Proof Campaign. “After
22 years of service,
they are still showing their dedication and leadership with
this most extraordinary gift. It’s been such a pleasure to
partner with her and to witness the passion that she and
John share for this great hospital.”
Regarding their continued dedication to the hospital, Marion
says the pleasure has been all hers.
“This has been a labor of love, and I’ve had such great
partners on this journey.”
The new hospital building at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
will open to patients on July 10. The $636 million, 317-bed
state-of-the-art facility will further expand services as
well as increase the ability to provide family-centered care
to children throughout the region. Children’s Hospital Los
Angeles is one of the nation’s best children’s hospitals
serving more than 97,000 patients each year and offering
care from some of the world’s most prestigious physicians
and surgeons.
The Andersons have been community supporters for many years.
John is chairman of Topa Equities, Ltd., which owns more
than 42 businesses involved in agriculture, insurance, real
estate, wholesale beverage distribution and automotive
dealerships. Marion is vice chairman of Topa Equities, Ltd.,
and is an active member of the University of California, Los
Angeles Anderson board of visitors. John and Marion are
life-long supporters of the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles.
Marion also serves Children’s Hospital as a member of the
steering committee of the New Hospital Campaign Committee at
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a member of the
Development Advisory Campaign Cabinet and the Saban Research
Institute Committee.
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About Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Founded in 1901, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of
the nation’s leading children’s hospitals and is
acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and
adolescent health. The Saban Research Institute at
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is among the largest and
most productive pediatric research facilities in the United
States, with 88 investigators at work on 171 laboratory
studies, clinical trials and community-based research and
health services. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a
premier teaching hospital and has been affiliated with the
Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern
California since 1932.
For more information, visit
CHLA.org.
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