Press Releases

Seattle Children’s Names Building in Honor of Friends of Costco

Friends of Costco has raised $125 Million for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s

Friends of Costco, which consists of Seattle Children’s Friends of Costco Guild and Costco Wholesale Corporation, has been a proud supporter of Seattle Children’s since 1988 and to date has raised more than $125 million for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s. Today, Seattle Children’s has named a building on its Laurelhurst campus in their honor. The 330,000 square-foot building, formerly Building Hope, was named the Friends of Costco Building.

“We’re thankful to Costco Wholesale Corporation, Friends of Costco Guild, the warehouse employees and Costco members for making this possible,” said Doug Picha, president of Seattle Children’s Hospital and Research Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for their generosity, which ensures we can sustain our founding mission of providing care for every child, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.”

In 2017, Seattle Children’s provided more than $164 million in financial assistance, or uncompensated care, to approximately 63,000 families. About 50 percent of Seattle Children’s patients receive some form of uncompensated care.

Friends of Costco helps support It Starts With Yes: The Campaign for Seattle Children’s – the largest campaign in Seattle Children’s 111-year history. It Starts With Yes is a bold initiative – $1 billion bold – with a vision to transform children’s health for generations to come.

“We’re proud to support such an impactful vision, knowing we’re helping the lives of so many families in need,” said Craig Jelinek, chief executive officer of Costco Wholesale Corporation.

“We’re honored to have supported Seattle Children’s for 30 years,” said Jan Sinegal, founder, Friends of Costco Guild. “We started in 1988 with small events and in 1999 we launched the first Children’s Golf Classic, which has become the largest charity golf tournament for any hospital in the nation. We are thankful for the steadfast support of our guests and sponsors who join together to help countless children and families in our region and beyond.”

This year, the Children’s Golf Classic will be held Aug. 11 – 13.

About Seattle Children’s

Seattle Children’s mission is to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible. Together, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Research Institute and Foundation deliver superior patient care, identify new discoveries and treatments through pediatric research, and raise funds to create better futures for patients.

Ranked as one of the top children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho – the largest region of any children’s hospital in the country. As one of the nation’s top five pediatric research centers, Seattle Children’s Research Institute is internationally recognized for its work in neurosciences, immunology, cancer, infectious disease, injury prevention and much more. Seattle Children’s Foundation, along with Seattle Children’s Guild Association – the largest all volunteer fundraising network for any hospital in the country – works with our generous community to raise funds for lifesaving care and research.

For more information, visit seattlechildrens.org or follow us on TwitterFacebook, LinkedInInstagram or on our On the Pulse blog.