In 2014, Kay Aidlin and her late husband, Stephen, became Dream Builders with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation. But that’s not the whole picture.

Early in Kay’s nursing career, minor pediatric procedures would often require hospitalization. Caring for those children grew her love for pediatrics. As a nurse manager, Kay’s passion for volunteerism grew while watching volunteers transporting patients throughout her hospital.

Following her retirement, Kay combined her passions and became one of 10 women who started Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation Guild Sarasota/Manatee Branch. The first year, they raised funds for a scale to weigh and measure infants. Since then, Kay has held many Guild positions, including president.

Kay’s support of Johns Hopkins All Children’s doesn’t stop there. After seeing babies born with opioid addiction, Kay and Stephen were heartbroken. “We became Dream Builders and added the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Clinic to our wills. With this gift, we were able to do something right away that would make a difference for the program’s future.” 

Kay, a dog lover, also supports Brea, the hospital’s facility dog, and her program. 

“I understand state-of-the-art care is expensive. I also know some state-of-the-art needs aren’t in the budget. That’s where donor dollars come in.”

Learn how you can join Kay in ensuring Johns Hopkins All Children’s can provide state-of-the-art care for years to come. Contact Lydia Bailey, director, planned gifts at [email protected] or 727-767-8914. This story first appeared in For the Kids, the Johns Hopkins All Children’s magazine.