At the 18th Annual Diamond Ball, Nicklaus Children’s honored Katy Puig, a patient whose life was saved three years ago following a tragic accident. The gala raised more than $7 million to support Nicklaus Children’s mission to inspire hope and promote lifelong health by providing the best care to every child.

“Katy’s story is a beautiful reminder of why we come to work each day,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “For 75 years, our mission has remained steadfast: to provide the very best care to every child who comes through our doors. We are deeply grateful to our community for standing beside us in this journey. The incredible generosity shown at Diamond Ball fuels innovation, inspires hope, and ensures that together, we continue building brighter futures for the children we serve.”

Following a devastating boating accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Katy received lifesaving care at Nicklaus Children’s Miguel “Mike” B. Fernandez Trauma Center. Through the dedicated support of Nicklaus Children’s medical staff, physical therapy, speech therapy, and the compassion of the Miami community, Katy has become #KatyStrong – a living testament to the transformative power of Nicklaus Children’s care.

Under the theme, Moving Forward – A Night for the Generations of Tomorrow, this year’s Diamond Ball brought together South Florida business leaders, philanthropists, and community members to raise funds to support the Hospital’s mission and vision for the future of pediatric healthcare. Among these guests were Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Agueda López, philanthropist, author, and model.

“We are tremendously grateful for the outpouring of support Nicklaus Children’s received at this year’s record-breaking Diamond Ball,” said Allison W. Baker, President of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Our community’s investment in the health of children makes stories of hope like Katy’s possible, and we are so grateful to everyone who showed up for children in our community – and to our generous sponsors who made this night possible.”

Sponsors of the 18th Annual Diamond Ball

Ensemble
Citadel
Citadel Securities
Griffin Catalyst
Warner Bros.
Discovery US Hispanic
Braman Miami
City National Bank of Florida
Greenberg Traurig
Intermedia Touch
JW Marriot Marquis Miami
ab+a Advertising
Baptist Health
CVS Pharmacy y Más
Navarro Discount Pharmacy
EdgeUno, Inc.
FIU Foundation
FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
KIDZ Medical Services
Pediatrix Medical Group
Perry Ellis International
Perfect Link
Polsinelli
Stearns Weaver Miller

About Nicklaus Children’s, Where Your Child Matters Most ™

For 75 years, Nicklaus Children’s has stood as a beacon of hope for children and families across the state of Florida and beyond. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is South Florida’s #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children serving close to 70 percent of children in the Miami metropolitan community. In addition, Nicklaus Children’s offers care within NCH North Hospital in Naples, Jupiter Medical Center’s De George Pediatric Unit and select Baptist Health Hospital pediatric emergency units. The hospital and its network more than 35 outpatient care locations offer lifesaving care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. These outpatient locations include an array of urgent care, pediatric primary care, and subspecialty care centers and are either hospital-based or outpatient locations under Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists, LLC (NCPS). Providing a pipeline of future physicians and groundbreaking research, Nicklaus Children’s is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Nicklaus Children’s is home to centers of excellence including the Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children’s Neuroscience Institute and Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute. The 325-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children’s also includes a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary with over 40 specialties, and an ambulatory surgery center. For more information visit nicklauschildrens.org.