Winner Announced for MercyOne Children's Hospital Heart Superheroes Event at 2019 Principal Charity Classic

Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, June 5, 2019 – MercyOne Children’s Hospital open heart surgery patient Collins Weitl won a $500 contribution in her name to the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital. On Friday, MercyOne Children’s Hospital Heart Superheroes were stationed throughout the 2019 Principal Charity Classic at Wakonda Club in Des Moines. These 11 children – ranging in age from 9 months to 10 years old – are all former patients who experienced life-saving cardiac care surgeries and procedures at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

Spectators took selfies with the Heart Superheroes from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, May 31, and posted on social media with the hashtags #MercyOneChildrensHeart and #PCC19. Open heart surgery patient Collins Weitl received the most hashtagged photos, thereby winning a $500 contribution in her name to the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital during a check presentation at 4:30 p.m. that day at the Wakonda Club Clubhouse.

Left to right: Thomas Becker, M.D., Pediatric Cardiologist, MercyOne Children’s Hospital; Jessica Zuzga-Reed, D.O., Medical Director, MercyOne Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Collins Weitl, Heart Superhero; Kurt Weitl, Bethany Weitl, Shannon L. Cofield, President, MercyOne Des Moines Foundation.

The public is invited to relive the fun with the hashtag #MercyOneChildrensHeart and by viewing photos from the day’s event.

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is pleased to have served as a Principal Charity Classic Tournament Charity Partner since 2016. Proceeds from Principal Charity Classic have impacted the pediatric cardiac care program at MercyOne Children’s Hospital in meaningful ways. Most recently, 2017 funds were utilized to launch the innovative new Beads of Courage program, and 2018 proceeds funded a new, innovative echocardiography machine.

The Principal Charity Classic, the annual and award-winning PGA TOUR Champions event in Des Moines, raised a record $4.3 million in support of Iowa kids in 2018. The event has now donated more than $17.7 million since 2007. Funds raised by the Principal Charity Classic support six Tournament Charity Partners in the Des Moines area – including MercyOne Des Moines Foundation – as well as more than 100 organizations – including MercyOne Children’s Hospital – throughout Iowa enrolled in the tournament’s “Birdies For Charity” program.

About MercyOne Central Iowa

MercyOne Central Iowa operates four not-for-profit, Catholic medical centers in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Newton and Centerville (875 beds combined total) and two specialty hospitals – MercyOne Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and MercyOne Rehabilitation Hospital in Clive  –  along with more than 20 additional facilities that house more than 60 primary care, pediatric, internal medicine and specialty clinics. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1893, MercyOne Central Iowa has the longest continually operating hospital in Des Moines and is also one of the largest employers in the state,  with more than 7,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 1,000 physicians and allied health associates. MercyOne Central Iowa is a member of MercyOne, which was founded in 1998 through a collaboration between CommonSpirit Health and Trinity Health – two of the country’s foremost, not-for-profit Catholic health organizations. The MercyOne system has more than 20,000 colleagues in Iowa and surrounding states.

About MercyOne Des Moines Foundation

MercyOne Des Moines Foundation secures vital funding that ensures equal access, clinical excellence and high-quality care for all in Greater Des Moines. Learn more at MercyOne.org/desmoinesfoundation.