Our Mission

What Drives Us

At WAVE, we believe that no child should be denied care because of cost.

Every day, families walk through the doors of Seattle Children’s Hospital facing some of the hardest moments of their lives—whether it’s a complex illness, an unexpected injury, or a life-changing diagnosis like cancer. In those moments, their energy should be focused on their child’s recovery, not the mounting cost of treatment.

Through our youth-led initiatives, we raise funds and awareness for uncompensated care, ensuring that every child receives the treatment they need regardless of their family’s financial situation. We also help support groundbreaking research, including work in pediatric cancer, so that hope keeps growing for children everywhere.

For us, this is more than fundraising—it’s a promise to stand beside families, bringing them strength, relief, and the reassurance that their community will carry them through.

Why Uncompensated Care

Uncompensated care means covering the cost of treatment when a family cannot afford it. At Seattle Children’s Hospital, this can be the difference between a child getting urgent surgery, specialized therapy, or life-saving care—and going without.

Families often face medical crises they never saw coming—an accident, a chronic illness, or a diagnosis like cancer. In those moments, no parent should have to choose between paying the bills and saving their child’s life.

By funding uncompensated care, WAVE helps ensure that financial hardship is never a barrier to healing. It’s our way of giving every child the chance to recover, grow, and dream—no matter their circumstances.