MIAMI – October 16, 2026 -- Nicklaus Children's Hospital raised more than $4 million at its 19th Annual Diamond Ball on Saturday, October 10, funding the expansion of advanced specialized pediatric care for children and families across Florida and beyond.
Gala funds target specialized pediatric care expansion
The signature fundraising event drew community leaders, philanthropists, athletes and entertainment personalities. Radio co-hosts Enrique Santos and Dayanara Torres hosted the evening.
Allison W. Baker, President of Nicklaus Children's Hospital Foundation, said the proceeds will provide answers sooner, a specialist closer to home and treatment offering new hope to patients. Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, said the gala is a major part of the system's ability to reach children in need of life-saving care.
Patient cases highlight clinical advances in orthopedics, oncology, cardiology and gene therapy
Guests heard from four current and former patients whose cases illustrate the hospital's clinical range:
- Tristan, a high school athlete, overcame osteosarcoma and has returned to the volleyball court.
- Greyson received the first pediatric partial heart transplant in Florida.
- Ka'lee is walking again after gene therapy significantly slowed the progression of his Muscular Dystrophy.
- A'mya underwent surgery to correct leg curvature after a Blount's Disease diagnosis.
Public officials and sports figures attend
Attendees included Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael A. Villalobos. Former NFL player and Super Bowl champion Lawrence Guy, former Miami Heat player Jamal Mashburn, Spanish model and author Agueda Lopez, and America's Got Talent semifinalist and former patient Luke Taleno also attended.
Corporate sponsors span finance, media and healthcare
Sponsors of the 19th Annual Diamond Ball included Griffin Catalyst, Citadel, Citadel Securities, Cox Media Group, City National Bank of Florida, Greenberg Traurig, Optum Insight, Pediatrix Medical Group, Warner Bros Discovery – US Hispanic, Baptist Health, CVS/aetna, and the FIU Foundation and Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Additional sponsors were Ensemble, Braman Enterprises Inc. (Braman Miami), Intermedia Touch, JW Marriott Marquis Miami, ab+a advertising, Kidz Medical, Perry Ellis International, Polsinelli, Stearns Weaver Miller, and Brynne McNulty Rojas and Julio Rojas.