Los Angeles, CA — In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude and generosity, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ and his wife, Julie Mazur, have donated $1 million to a Southern California children’s hospital where Happ was treated during a critical period of his early childhood.
The donation, announced earlier today, will go directly to support pediatric care, research, and facility improvements at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), one of the nation’s top-ranked pediatric medical centers. According to a hospital spokesperson, the gift will be used to expand care services and provide financial assistance to families in need.
“I wouldn’t be here today without the doctors and nurses who cared for me when I was a toddler,” Happ said in an emotional statement. “Julie and I are deeply thankful for everything this hospital did for me and continues to do for thousands of children every year. We hope this donation can help provide comfort, healing, and hope to the families who need it most.”
Hospital records confirm that Happ spent several weeks at CHLA in the mid-1990s after being diagnosed with a rare respiratory condition at just two years old. Though the family has kept the exact details of his illness private, Happ has occasionally referenced the experience in interviews, crediting it as a defining moment in his family’s life and his motivation to support pediatric health causes.
Julie Mazur, a nonprofit consultant and longtime advocate for children’s wellness, called the donation “a tribute to the heroes in scrubs who gave Ian a second chance.” She added, “We’re investing not just in buildings or equipment, but in the future of children and their families.”
The couple visited the hospital privately last week to tour the facilities, meet with staff, and spend time with young patients. Hospital CEO Dr. Jacqueline Dominguez praised the couple for their generosity and sincerity.
“Ian and Julie’s gift is extraordinary, not only in its amount but in its heart,” Dominguez said. “They came here not as celebrities, but as a family wanting to give back. Their story shows how full-circle healing can be.”
The donation arrives at a critical time for CHLA, which is currently undergoing a $250 million expansion campaign to meet the growing needs of the community. Happ and Mazur’s contribution will help fund a new pediatric intensive care unit and patient-family support services.
Back in Chicago, the news has been met with an outpouring of support from fans, teammates, and the broader baseball community. Cubs manager David Ross called the gesture “a testament to the kind of leader Ian is, both on and off the field.”
As for Happ, the 30-year-old All-Star remains focused on his game while continuing to use his platform for good. “Baseball has given me so much,” he said. “If I can use that to make life better for even one child, then I know I’ve done something right.”
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