Family Support Services / Evan Wood Fund

Supporting the teams who help make GCH Buffalo stays the best they can be

Kids receiving care at GCH Buffalo, and their families, oftentimes spend days, weeks or even months here. The Child Life team and Family Support Services are FOR enriching the experiences of our patients and their families, no matter the reason behind their visit.

Family Support Services at GCH Buffalo are powered by the Evan Wood Fund. This fund, established by former Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood, supports children with chronic medical conditions and the families who care for them at GCH Buffalo. Originally founded as the Eric Wood Fund and renamed in 2021 to honor Eric’s late brother Evan, the fund reflects a deeply personal mission shaped by Evan’s life with cerebral palsy and complex medical needs. Evan spent much of his childhood in the hospital and passed away at age 11, leaving a lasting impact on Eric and inspiring his commitment to helping families facing similar challenges.

Through its partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, the Evan Wood Fund provides vital resources that improve the comfort, care, and emotional support available to patients and families.

In 2026, your gift to Family Support Services / Evan Wood Fund on Giving Day FOR Kids will directly support Child Life Specialists (trained professionals with expertise in helping children overcome health challenges and experiences), Social Workers, spiritual and bereavement care, Stone's Buddies (program aimed to support children with chronic illness or medical complexities), and Healing Arts (program that provides mental and emotional healing through integrated cultural collaborations).

These programs are funded 100% through philanthropic contributions as they are not reimbursable through insurance.

 OCH family support by the numbers:

• 225 families supported through Stone’s Buddies
• 1,872 hours of art projects facilitated by our Artists in Residence
• 11,692 hours donated by 200 dedicated volunteers