FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 27, 2012
For more information:
Scott Coppenbarger
OU Medical Center/
The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center
Office: (405) 271-7900 X4
Cell: (405) 593-5289
scott.coppenbarger@hcahealthcare.com
BRANDON WEEDEN FAMILY AND THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL TEAM UP
Weeden Quarterbacking a Partnership in Supporting Heart Families
Oklahoma City, OK— Chosen last night in the first round to the NFL by the Cleveland Browns, former OSU football quarterback and Oklahoma native Brandon Weeden and his wife Melanie have pledged to partner with The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center to support children and families. The focus of this commitment will be children in the heart program.
“We became passionate about helping children born with heart problems after seeing the struggles and experiences of our family friends, the Kuykendalls, whose son, Gavin, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome,” said Melanie Weeden, who grew up in Moore, Oklahoma.
“Our personal connection to this family led us to contact the hospital but we’re excited to be in the position to help any children with health needs in Oklahoma,” added Brandon Weeden. “We just want to make a difference for the kids.”
“It’s really great news for our heart families,” said Chuck Spicer, CEO of The Children’s Hospital. “To call and begin plans for philanthropy the week before the NFL draft demonstrates the intense generosity of the Weedens and their commitment to Oklahoma. We’re honored to have them as a partner in promoting and supporting the needs of heart families.”
The last few weeks have been frenzied for the couple, who will be moving to Cleveland so that Weeden can begin practicing with the Browns. Details about upcoming fundraising events will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We plan to host a fundraiser this summer to kick things off,” said Weeden. “I think all Oklahomans are generous—we look out for each other. I’m just blessed to be able to give back, and I’ll be calling on OSU fans and Cleveland fans to help us make a difference.”
ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center has 320-inpatient beds and is the only comprehensive children's hospital in Oklahoma. The Children’s Hospital’s pediatric staff blends together years of specialized pediatric training with education, research and technology to treat conditions ranging from cardiothoracic and oncology related illnesses to neonatal specialty care and pediatric solid-organ transplants. The Children’s Hospital’s 88-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides the highest level of neonatal care in Oklahoma and was one of the first hospitals in the country to provide total, comprehensive care for mothers and their newborns all in the same building. Additionally, the Women's & Newborn Center at The Children's Hospital provides family-centered newborn care for all types of deliveries—from routine to complicated, high-risk deliveries and offers the most comprehensive obstetrics program in the state.
The Children’s Hospital is part of the OU Medical System and was recognized in U.S. World News and Report as the #1 Hospital in Oklahoma City for 2011-2012.
Left to right: Faith Kuykendall, Brandon Weeden, Gavin Kuykendall, Melanie Weeden, Adam Kuykendall. Gavin was born with a heart condition which inspired the Weedens to partner with The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Medical Center.
Newly drafted Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden and his wife, Melanie