Children's Hospital Los Angeles Receives $25 Million for Pediatric Cancer, Vision and Rehabilitation Programs

Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation gift establishes endowment supporting the priorities and needs of children's health in these areas

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) announced today that the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation has contributed $25 million to establish an endowment supporting three of the hospital's signature programs: the Cancer and Blood Disease Institute (CBDI), the Vision Center and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services.

"This endowment expands the Petersen's legacy of generosity by providing CHLA with a resource that will forever advance our mission to create hope and build healthier futures for children," says President and CEO Paul S. Viviano. "I am so grateful for this gift that will support a wide range of initiatives including research projects, technology upgrades, clinical care, key physician recruitment, capital projects, unreimbursed care and more."

The Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation, led by President GiGi Carleton, supports children's health and well-being throughout Southern California, fulfilling the Petersen's desire to care for the community by helping all children reach their full potential. Margie Petersen was a former CHLA Trustee, and both she and her husband Robert Petersen, founder and chairman of Petersen Publishing Co., were longtime supporters of the hospital. The Foundation has supported several CHLA programs and projects over the years, including an $8.5 million gift to open a state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation space in 2015, named the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation Rehabilitation Center and honoring their sons Bobby and Richie Petersen.

“Through their transformative philanthropy and leadership, the Petersens dedicated their lives to helping children overcome obstacles of all kinds," says Alexandra Carter, CHLA Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “They would be proud to know that this gift will help save children from debilitating illnesses by helping one of the nation's top children's hospitals provide families and patients the multidisciplinary, family-centered care they need.”

In recognition of this transformative gift, CHLA will be naming the main driveway at its 4650 Sunset Boulevard campus the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Entry Plaza, in honor of Mr. Petersen’s role as founding publisher of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines and founder of the Petersen Automotive Museum.

About Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures for children. Founded in 1901, CHLA is one of the nation’s leading academic pediatric medical centers and is acknowledged worldwide for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health. The hospital relies on the generosity of the community to support its groundbreaking pediatric research and the complex care it provides for critically ill and injured children.