John and Jaime Martinez’s son Jack was only 2 years old when his temperature spiked to more than 105 degrees — and stayed high for weeks.
Forty specialists and five months later, the Martinez family finally got to the root of Jack’s fevers and a cascade of health problems that left him struggling to walk, eat or even survive. He was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a condition where the immune system turns on itself.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of Children’s National Hospital, Jack received life-saving therapeutics, overcame a nearly fatal relapse at age 5, and was declared in remission a few years later. Today, Jack is a thriving third-year student at the University of Chicago, studying political science with aspirations to become a lawyer dedicated to public service.
“Our experience started our entire family on this journey of giving back to Children’s Hospital and supporting them in any way we could,” said John Martinez, chief legal officer and at Maximus, a government contractor operating in the health and human services sector. He’s also the co-chair of this year’s 10th anniversary White Hat Gala.
The Journey to Diagnosis and Recovery
The road to Jack’s diagnosis and recovery was grueling. As Jack’s fevers initially began to spike, the Martinez family sought answers at Children’s National, where Jack underwent a battery of tests and saw dozens of specialists. As his symptoms worsened, his body was covered in a blistering rash and his mobility was severely hampered, leaving him unable to walk.
After ruling out cancer and a series of other life-threatening conditions, the Children’s National medical team determined Jack had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease which confuses the body’s natural immune system and attacks both good and bad cells. Steroid treatments helped control the symptoms initially, but by age 5, Jack experienced an extreme autoimmune response. His organs began shutting down one by one.
The family rushed him back to Children’s National for intensive treatment, which ultimately proved successful. Two years later, Jack was in remission, and eventually, he grew out of the disease altogether.
A Family’s Mission to Give Back
Throughout Jack’s treatment, Children’s National made an indelible impact on the Martinez family. One of Jack’s favorite aspects of the hospital was Dr. Bear’s Closet, which allows children to pick a new, unwrapped toy to brighten their stay.
“By the time he left the hospital, both times, he had this massive trove of toys and games,” John said. “For a kid, that makes all the difference in the world.”
The family’s first initiative to give back was a small fundraiser to stock Dr. Bear’s Closet with new toys. Over the years, their efforts expanded, leading to increasing levels of sponsorship and fundraising for the hospital’s Fund for Every Child. John also joined the hospital’s Corporate Advisory Council, helping to guide fundraising efforts.
One of the most impactful events tied to these efforts is the White Hat Gala, now in its 10th year. The gala began as a cybersecurity-focused fundraiser, founded by Paul Innella and Dave Trout, both leaders in the cybersecurity industry. They envisioned a gathering of their colleagues and partners to support Children’s National.
Over time, the event evolved to include companies from various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance and government contracting. Over the last five years, John and the White Hat Gala Committee, and now his wife and family have grown the event and fundraising significantly. Over the life of the event, White Hat Gala has raised over $5M for the hospital and helped innumerable sick children and their families in the most desperate hour.
This year’s White Hat Gala is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Union Station in Washington, D.C. It is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees and raise over $1.75 million for the hospital’s general fund.
Unrestricted Giving: A Lifeline for the Hospital
The funds raised at the White Hat Gala are especially impactful because they are unrestricted, allowing the hospital to allocate resources where they are needed most, John said. The gala fundraiser goes toward elevating the patient experience, driving pediatric breakthroughs and increasing access to care so no family is turned away out of inability to pay.
“While there is a lot of great philanthropy out there that is vital to the hospital, much of it is very specific,” John said. “The nice thing about unrestricted fundraising is that it can be used across the hospital and in any specialty where it’s needed.”
Children’s National Hospital operates more than 300 beds that remain nearly full year-round, making unrestricted funds critical for supporting its diverse and urgent needs, he said.
The hospital has provided more than $153 million in uncompensated care to families when they or their insurance does not cover the cost of treatment. They’ve also opened 16 new or expanded primary and specialty care locations between 2017 and 2023. Music therapy, art therapy, animal visits, toy closets and access to video games and devices are among the patient experiences the hospital funds.
“When you provide sponsorship and donations to Children’s Hospital, those contributions help children grow up stronger,” he said. “The ripple effects of their lives as they grow and contribute to society are immeasurable.”
A Night of Celebration and Purpose
John describes the hospital’s efforts as having a butterfly effect — the idea that small acts can create ripples of impact far beyond their origin.
Jaime is now an integral member of the White Hat Gala Committee and she and John are preparing for their biggest fundraising year yet at White Hat Gala ’25. Jack launched his own fundraising efforts in high school through a dance marathons, and his sister Julia, is now a global health major at Duke University. She was also deeply influenced by their experiences and is committing her life to giving back to families in need.
As planning for the 2025 White Hat Gala continues, sponsorships are open and excitement is building. For the Martinez family, the event symbolizes the power of community and the importance of giving back.
The White Hat Gala is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a high-energy evening filled with inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and exceptional food, John said. Attendees don black-tie attire, coming together to celebrate the hospital’s mission and their collective impact.
“It’s just a really fun night,” John said. “We’ve got a lot of people who come back year after year because it’s so impactful, and they want to be a part of it. You can’t help but walk out of that evening feeling like you’ve made a major difference — not just for a particular child’s health, but for the world.”
