George Mark Children's House

04/10/2026

For Volunteer Appreciation Month, we are thrilled to share our Q&A with Shirley Zindler, the co-founder and President of Dogwood Animal Rescue. Shirley has been volunteering at George Mark Children's House (GMCH) for over two years, bringing furry friends to visit our patients, families, and staff.

What do you find rewarding about volunteering at GMCH?

"Volunteering at George Mark has been one of the most powerful experiences of my life. The kids are so sweet and appreciative, from the most innocent baby and toddler, to the teenagers who do their best to accept their condition with grace and humor. Being able to bring some sweet simple joy in the form of puppies and kittens, and watching the kids (and the wonderful staff) being able to live in the moment with the animals is priceless."

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at GMCH?

"There are so many beautiful memories from my times at George Mark. The kids we've lost are etched in my heart forever. Probably one of the most touching was spending time with a little girl who passed away within hours of our visit. She was very weak and I held her hand in mine to help her stroke the tiny puppy on her lap in the bed. I can still feel her warm soft little hand in mine.

A more recent and happy memory was watching a sister of a patient, running giggling around the lawn in the sunshine with a litter of puppies happily chasing after her. She had boundless energy and was so joyful and carefree. It seemed like they ran and played for an hour or more. Her darling sibling sat in mom's lap on the grass, gently stroking a smaller pup as it slept. The patient was receiving end of life care, and the families hearts were heavy, but the time with happy, kissy little puppies allowed her to find some pure joy in the moment."

Dogwood Animal Rescue Project

04/07/2026

Tony Hodrick was a caring and thoughtful partner whenever he came to George Mark. His expertise and kindness translated into power imageries that told our stories well.

Thank you and congrats to Tony on his your retirement!

04/05/2026

Spring made its way into the weekend!

Our Child Life Specialist delivered spring baskets donated by our friends at the AWC - Alamo Women's Club filled with thoughtful goodies for our patients. Around the House, you could also spot some pretty great art expressions from our patients, adding their own color to it all.

A gentle, joy filled way to welcome the season.

04/03/2026

Kicking off 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵with gratitude for the 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆.

Their recent Day of Service at George Mark brought more than helping hands. More than 20 team members rolled up their sleeves to refresh our grounds and outdoor spaces, helping make our campus even more welcoming for the children and families we serve.

The day also carried deep personal meaning, led by Premier Nutrition’s Accounting Director Gregg Pitts, whose connection to George Mark goes back many years through his daughter Sarah. Together with our CEO Shekinah Eliassen, he helped open the day by sharing the heart behind the House and the compassion that continues to shape our mission.

To close this meaningful visit, Premier Nutrition presented George Mark with a generous gift of $25,000.

We are deeply grateful for their service, generosity, and heart!

Read more about this day in our latest House Happenings at georgemark.org: bit.ly/PNC-2026

03/28/2026

We are proud to share that our very own Dr. Justin Baker, a George Mark board member, was recently featured on 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙩 𝙋𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩, the official companion to HBO Max’s smash hit show 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝘁.

In this meaningful conversation, Dr. Baker offers a real-world look at the ethical questions families and care teams face every day. He speaks about compassion, honesty, and the importance of helping families make decisions they can live with, even in the most difficult moments.

One powerful idea he shares is what he calls the “regret prevention business” — supporting families in a way that helps them move forward with as few regrets as possible.

It is a thoughtful reflection of what pediatric palliative care is truly about: not just end of life, but quality of life for every child and family.

Click to read more in our latest House Happenings post on georgemark.org: bit.ly/JBaker-ThePitt

03/28/2026

What day is it? It is Force Friday!

Once a month, friends from another galaxy make a special appearance at George Mark Children’s House.

This time: a blue alien boy, a temperamental Ren, a fearless rebel pilot, a sharp officer, and a playful Jawa.

Patients and staff all in on the fun. A little dress up. A little mischief. A whole lot of shared moments.

Golden Gate Garrison Rebel Legion Endor Base

03/27/2026

Our music therapist Rebekah has a special way of connecting with our patients. Through her voice, her instruments, and the energy she brings, she sparks beautiful moments of engagement.

Sometimes, it really is as simple as a happy smile. And that can mean everything.

03/25/2026

March is 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, and this recent visit to the House says so much about what that means.

We welcomed back the Spirit of Children team for a day filled with laughter, connection, and a few playful surprises along the way. From a “trick or treat” style tour with our Child Life Specialist Kyle Amsler to seeing how their support brings art, music, and sensory experiences to life, it was one of those days that just felt special.

Through Spirit Halloween, the retail brand behind the Spirit of Children program, this partnership goes far beyond fundraising. Each year, they help create moments of joy and normalcy for our families, especially during Pumpkin Day, our biggest family event of the year. This year, their community 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 $𝟭𝟬𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 to support our Child Life program.

We were honored to recognize their impact with a George Mark Hummingbird Award.

Grateful for partners who show up like this, year after year!

Read the full story in our House Happenings section: bit.ly/SOC-TY2026

03/18/2026

A recent USA TODAY story shares the journey of Dr. Tasha Faruqui and her family, and it is one that many in our community will recognize.

Her daughter, Soraya, was born with a rare genetic condition and is now facing a life-limiting illness. Through it all, Tasha and her family continue to meet each day with honesty, strength, and so much love.

Their story speaks to the reality many families carry quietly, while also holding onto moments of connection, care, and togetherness. We are honored that George Mark could be part of their journey, a place Tasha describes as “peaceful” and “beautiful.”

We are grateful to Tasha and her family for sharing their story so openly, helping other families feel seen and less alone.

Click the link to READ MORE.

Read More: bit.ly/USAToday-Tasha

03/14/2026

03/13/2026

Camp Kara is a weekend-long bereavement camp for Bay Area and Northern California youth ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives, including a sibling. Camp Kara is offered at no cost to campers and their families. Children and teens come together for one weekend to participate in traditional fun camp activities and peer support focused grief activities. GMCH Child Life Specialist Kyle will be present as a camp counselor and a familiar face for GMCH families.

Applications are live until March 30th and information about Camp Kara can be found here: https://kara-grief.org/services/camp-kara/

“Camp helped me understand my grief and gave me the space to share about my
brother and the love I will forever have for him. This camp gave me the hope and
support I didn’t know I needed." -Bereaved sibling camper

03/12/2026

We are so proud of our patient Kaitlyn, whose artwork was featured at a recent Art Show! The art show featured artwork responding to the theme "What My Diagnosis or Disability Means to Me."

Kaitlyn, who lives with epilepsy, wrote the following about her piece: "I grew up with the struggles of having to live with epilepsy. I used art, reading, writing, and dancing as my creative outlets to escape the world. I found control and happiness through the people I love and things that made me feel normal. I never wanted my epilepsy to stop me from being the person I want to be. I think of it as a part of me, but I refuse to let it define me. I believe anything is possible when you truly believe in yourself."

CURE Epilepsy