This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Mom's Challenge Inspires Organization for CHD Support, Awareness

Danielle McKain lived at the hospital for a year while her son had several surgeries to treat his congenital heart disease. She started the organization Jameson's Army to help other families in similar situations. Sponsored by Post Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Facing the Challenge In many ways, 2 1/2-year-old Jameson is a typical boy. He's a fan of just about all sports, and he loves cars. And he also loves to eat. But he was born with a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HPLS), which essentially means that little Jameson was missing the left side of his heart. He had his first open heart surgery at 5 days old. Four more surgeries and a successful heart transplant later—six operations total—Jameson will always need medical attention but has recovered …

• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)

Watch It: Brett Keisel “Shears Da Beard” for Charity, Rocks Jergel’s Rhythm Grille

Cheered on by fans, the Steelers defensive end shaves off his famous facial hair to benefit the cancer program at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

Perhaps WDVE’s Randy Baumann said it best. “Only in Pittsburgh would this many people turn out to see a guy shave,” he told a cheering crowd of black-and-gold wearing patrons at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille in Warrendale Thursday. Then again, he wasn’t referring to lopping off just any old beard. For the third year in a row, the Steelers’ Brett Keisel, who resides in the Cranberry area, shaved off his fearsome facial hair as part of the “Shear Da Beard” event to benefit the cancer programs at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Chris Gessner, president of Children’s Hospital, said the event has raised close to $100,000 for cancer programs in the last few years. “He’s really become somewhat of a hero,” he said of Keisel. “His beard is kind…

• Videos (3)

Franklin Park Couple to Stand Trial in Abuse Case Involving Adopted Children

Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Douglas Barbour, 33, and his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, appear at a preliminary hearing.

A Franklin Park couple has been ordered to stand trial after waiving a preliminary hearing today (Thursday) on charges of abusing and starving two children they adopted from Ethiopia nearly a year ago.  Prosecutors dropped two aggravated assault charges against Douglas Barbour, 33, who appeared in Leetsdale District Court alongside his wife, Kristen Barbour, 30, of Cole Road for a preliminary hearing. Douglas Barbour, a Pennsylvania deputy attorney general, has been suspended from his state job without pay since he and his wife were arrested Oct. 4. He'll stand trial on two counts each of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment.  Kristen Barbour will stand trial on one count of simple assault and two …

• Photos (1)

After the Shooting: What Do You Say to Children When Tragedy Strikes?

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC offers tips.

As the nation tries to return to normalcy after Friday's horrendous school shooting in Connecticut, parents are wondering what to say to their children ... and what not to say. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC offers tips on helping a child deal with a tragedy. You can click here to see the hospital's webpage titled "Responding to Children When Tragedy Occurs". Here are some highlights from the page: Tips for Helping Your Child Children need to know there are real dangers in the world – whether it is Anthrax, smallpox, a sniper, plane crashes or children being abducted – but that grown-ups are working hard to make sure they are safe. Grown-ups in their world include parents, teachers, police officers and doctors. Of course, …

• Photos (1)

Breast Cancer Research: How You Can Help in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania taxpayers can donate all or part of their tax refund to cancer research in the Keystone State through a program called Refunds for Research

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition offers an annual program, Refunds for Research, that allows Pennsylvania taxpayers to help support cancer research in the Keystone State. By checking YES on line 35 of the PA 40 tax form, taxpayers can donate all or part of their state income tax refunds to breast and cervical cancer research. Every penny contributed goes directly to support PA breast and cervical cancer researchers in Western Pennsylvania and around the state as they work for a cure. Those who donate will join the thousands of Pennsylvania taxpayers who have contributed more than $2.8 million for Pennsylvania-based cancer research. Recent recipients in Western Pennsylvania include the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Carnegie …

• Photos (1)

Children's Hospital Expanding Outpatient Services in Wexford

The UPMC facility is opening an expanded Children's Pine Center.

Pine-Richland families seeking a wide variety of services from Children's Hospital of Pittisburgh of UPMC won't have to drive to Lawrenceville any longer. The hospital is expanding its outpatient services offered in the North Hills with the opening this month of the expanded Children’s Pine Center, located at 11279 Perry Highway in Wexford. The center offers a wide range of outpatient services with a focus on neurodevelopment. The center also is home to Children’s newly established Center for Independence, a program featuring occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language pathology services offered in a group setting. The program is designed for children of all ages with multidisciplinary needs who are working to apply newly …

• Photos (3)

Children’s Hospital Wants Kids to be 'Hard Heads' with Free Helmet Fittings

Stop by the Kohl's in Cranberry today (Wednesday) for a free bike helmet fitting.

In this case, it’s good to be a hard head. Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Kohl’s department stores are working together to present "Hard Heads," a community-based program to educate children of all ages on the importance of wearing a helmet correctly, and at all times, while riding anything on wheels. Free helmet fittings will take place at Kohl’s locations throughout the Pittsburgh area this summer, including one Wednesday, July 25 in Cranberry at the Kohl's store on Route 228. (No fittings are scheduled for the Kohl's in Richland Township.) The fittings, including free helmets while supplies last, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. No appointment is necessary. For questions, call the hospital’s injury prevention line at 412-692-8229…

• Photos (1)

Valentine's Day Run at North Park to Benefits Remi Savioz Glut 1 Foundation

Foundation was created to raise awareness and funds for the rare disorder that affects the treatment of cancers, epilepsy and diabetes.

Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation will sponsor its Valentine’s Day 5K and 5-Miler for the second year in a row on Saturday in North Park to raise awareness and funds for the rare disorder. All proceeds benefit the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation (RSG1) and RSG1 Brain Fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The rain-or-shine race for runners of all ages and experience levels will start at 10 a.m. at North Park Boathouse. The top three male and female finishers in different age groups will be recognized—19 and younger, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. "The Remi Savioz Glut 1 Foundation was founded in January 2010 by Samra R. Savioz (Remi's mother) to raise awareness of the disorder, as well as to raise money to support much-needed …

• Videos (1)

Free Bagels at Bruegger's on Wednesday With Coupon

Celebrating 20 years in Pittsburgh, the bakery is offering a free bagel and cream cheese to customers. The event also supports Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

If you have a craving for a bagel and cream cheese Wednesday, drop in to your local Bruegger's and pick one up for free. Bruegger’s Bagels is celebrating 20 years in Pittsburgh by offering the free bagel and cream cheese to its customers from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each of its 18 area bakeries. But first, you will need to download a coupon from Bruegger’s Facebook page or go to Bruegger’s website, www.brueggers.com, and sign up for Fresh News to get a coupon. The most convenient location for Pine-Richland residents is the Bruegger's in the Wexford Plaza on Route 19/Perry Highway. If you are heading toward Pittsburgh, you might want to stop in at the Bruegger's at 4885 McKnight Road at the intersection with Siebert. While you are there, …

• Photos (1)