he·li·an·thus

noun

Helianthus is the scientific name for a sunflower and also traditionally represents happiness, loyalty and healing powers. For young plants, their giant heads follow the sun as it moves across the sky, even when the sun is blocked by grey clouds.

Because Helianthus is the state flower for Kansas and the logo for Kansas Children's Foundation, we are proud to choose this meaningful flower as the symbol of an amazing evening to benefit pediatric patients. Our mission is to be the sunlight families look for in cloudy times, and where they find that ray of light needed for hope and inspiration during their health journey.

Your gifts in bloom...

Each year, Kansas Children's Foundation meets with pediatric care providers to learn what their patients need to feel most comfortable with their journey to health. Last year, with your help, we donated more than $70,000 for programs within KU Pediatrics and Wesley Children's Hospital

In 2026, we will raise funds for fitting four infusion rooms with activities, sensory carts and special equipment to make the time spent in these rooms more comfortable. At Wesley Children's Hospital in the sedation/infusion unit, children come to receive sedation for procedures and infusions. Children also come to this unit for blood draws if they are a tough stick or need additional supports due to a diagnosis such as sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, ODD, etc. They are able to provide additional resources to help with coping, but there is still a lack of sensory resources available across all pediatric units of the hospital. We are looking to create a patient-focused sensory room where they can receive these treatments. Adding tactile sensory objects onto the wall, flexible seating, weighted lap pads, etc. Within this, we would be creating 4 rooms (2 in sedation/infusion unit, 1 surgery and  1 pediatric inpatient)  as "sensory based rooms". The purpose and intention of these specific sensory rooms are for patients who have additional needs for support for a more positive coping experience for our small patients with developmental delays and extensive medical trauma.

Help us turn charitable support into programs that help families facing the uncertainty of treatments.

Joins us on May 2nd, 2026 at MarkArts!