Donald and Joan Diamond
As plans for the new pediatric medical center neared completion, Tucson entrepreneur Donald Diamond and his wife, Joan, came forward. The Diamonds - as they had done with the initial construction of the Steele Center - offered their leadership and support. As a result of their generosity, the new children's medical center will be named the Diamond Children's Medical Center.

"This long-overdue children's health care facility will immediately become an enormous asset to Tucson and the region," said Mr. Diamond. "We're proud and honored to be associated with the campaign to create it, and we invite all those who value excellence in health care for children to join us."

"In 1971, our 14-year old daughter, Deanne, died of asthma," said Mrs. Diamond. "Since then we've been concerned with children's health, especially bronchial diseases.

The idea of a children's medical center has been jelling in our minds since we got involved with the Steele Center. I can't think of anything else I'd rather contribute to than children's health."

Lizzie Bell
Thirteen-year-old Lizzie Bell is helping dreams fly. Even before the fundraising campaign was launched, she organized a benefit car wash and bake sale. Lizzie and her friends raised $150 to support Diamond Children's Medical Center.

"We handed out flyers all over our neighborhood about the new children's medical center and the car wash. We had cars lined up around the block," said Lizzie.

Lizzie is no stranger to hospitals. As an infant, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease - Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. Ever since then, she has received a life-saving transfusion every other week at the Arizona Elks Clinic for Children and Young Adults at UMC.

This isn't her first campaign to help kids. She and her mom created "Lizzies Loot" to raise money for buying toys and other items for children being treated at the Elks Clinic.

Lena Hunt
In July 2007, Oklahoma resident and former University Medical Center patient Lena Hunt passed away at age 81.

She had arranged in her will for UMC to receive a charitable bequest of nearly $60,000 from her estate. Because of Ms. Hunt's great fondness for children, as well as her desire to take part in the ongoing battle against cancer, her bequest was directed to Diamond Children's Medical Center for pediatric oncology.