CHOP’s Carousel Ball Raises Record-Breaking $4.1 Million to Benefit Autism Research and Care

On June 10, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field, more than 700 local philanthropists, corporate leaders and patient families came together for the hospital’s signature fundraiser, the Carousel Ball, raising more than $4.1 million for autism research and care at CHOP.

The night included inspirational storytelling, showcasing CHOP’s ongoing clinical advancements in the autism space. Highlights included:

• NBC News’ Carol Lee served as emcee of the program, sharing her personal tie to CHOP as the mother of a son treated here for a rare congenital heart defect.
• CHOP CEO and President, Madeline Bell, spoke about how the funds raised will benefit autism research and care, specifically the need for resources around early screening and diagnosis.
• Philadelphia Eagles owner, Jeffrey Lurie and his wife, Tina, were honorary co-chairs of the event. Jeffrey recounted his brother’s autism diagnosis in the 1950s, how far research and care have come over the past decades, and how autism awareness continues to be important to him and the Eagles organization.

CHOP has one of the largest, most comprehensive autism programs in the country, conducting nearly 20,000 visits with autistic children and youth each year. CHOP has pioneered cutting-edge innovations that enhance the care of children on the autism spectrum, and our researchers seek to understand the condition’s fundamental biology, develop tools to facilitate earlier diagnosis, and identify meaningful supports for these children.

This year’s Carousel Ball celebrated the progress CHOP has made, highlighted the challenges our patient families, researchers, and clinicians still face, and supported our mission to help every autistic child thrive.

To learn more about the Carousel Ball, visit carouselball.chop.edu. To find out more about the care, services and resources provided by CHOP’s Center for Autism Research, visit chop.edu/health-resources/center-autism-research-car.