Children’s Hospital received an $8 million challenge gift from the Herma family to benefit the hospital’s Herma Heart Center.

Through Dec. 30, 2017, the Herma family will match gifts to Children’s designated to improve care for kids with congenital heart defects.

The money will support the hospital’s research and clinical innovation with a focus on eradicating congenital heart conditions and revolutionizing programs designed to improve the quality of life for heart patients and their families.

“The Herma Heart Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has become one of the best heart programs in the world,” said John and Susan Herma. “But further advancements in care and quality of life can be achieved with additional support. Our goal is for this challenge gift to encourage others to join this effort.”

John and Susan Herma became involved with the heart program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in the 1980s when they lost their daughter, Leigh, to a complex congenital heart disease.

“John and Susan Herma turned their own personal tragedy into an opportunity to make a difference,” said Peggy Troy, Children’s Hospital president and CEO, “which has resulted in the Herma Heart Center becoming one of the premier pediatric heart programs in the country.  Their challenge reflects the advancements that have been made, but more importantly, the work that still needs to be done to improve the lives of kids born with heart conditions.”  

Individuals interested in supporting the Herma challenge can visit chw.org/challenge or call the Children’s Hospital Foundation at (414) 266-6100.