About Us
The David Ortiz Children’s Fund provides essential support for children in the Dominican Republic and in New England who cannot afford the critical cardiac services they need. We are proud to partner with CEDIMAT Hospital in Santo Domingo, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital to fulfill this mission. Through outreach, education, and support for medical care, we’re committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children who require life-saving heart surgeries.
The Beginning
One morning in February 2005, at the suggestion of his friends and family, David Ortiz went to CEDIMAT Hospital, in his home country of the Dominican Republic to visit children who had recently received life-saving heart care operations. The children had all received heart surgery through the work of Heartcare Dominicana, an NGO in the Dominican Republic, with the aid of International Hospital for Children, a U.S. based not-for-profit assisting to train medical personnel. David was simply hoping to put a smile on the children’s faces and help them forget their troubles for a moment.
As David walked through the Intensive Care Unit, he was reminded of his own childhood and imagined a young Papi in their position. These children should have been outside playing in the ball fields, not fighting health problems. David was truly amazed by the resilience of the sick children and their parents.
When Big Papi reached the last hospital bed, he saw a two-year old boy who was recovering from surgery and crying into the arms of his mother. David thought about his own son who was the same age and, thank God, healthy. This boy looked so fragile, so small. David was overwhelmed and left the hospital that day tearfully uttering his desire, his need, to do something for these children. He made a promise that he would help them somehow.