The Susan Ann Foundation funds life-saving medical research and creates extraordinary opportunities — for patients, families, and communities alike.
Every raffle ticket you purchase directly funds medical research at the Cleveland Clinic. Enter for your chance to win — and make a real difference at the same time.
Founded by Scott Taylor in honor of his mother Susan Ann, this foundation was born from personal loss and an unshakeable belief that something good must come from heartbreak. Scott, his daughter, and close family members have all faced life-altering cardiac and cancer diagnoses. This foundation is their answer.
50% of all net raffle proceeds are donated directly to charitable causes. The remaining 50% is reinvested into the Foundation to sustain and grow future philanthropic initiatives.
Our giving spans medical research, community development, and local projects — because we believe changing the world starts right here at home.
December 31, 1999. I sat in a dark room holding my newborn daughter with my future wife while watching the ball drop in Times Square, celebrating the millennium. As I sat there I thought about how my world had just changed and wondered what the future holds for me and the miracle I had in my arms.
My daughter was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as a newborn — a similar version to my own condition, but more severe, which led to her first open heart surgery at the age of 3. Holding her little hand as the nurses prepared her for surgery was the most terrifying experience imaginable. The uncertainty weighed on my shoulders like the weight of the world. That weight caused many laps around the halls of the Cleveland Clinic trying to process the events of our short journey to date.
While processing these thoughts I walked past portraits of past donors to the clinic. An overwhelming sense of gratitude is what resulted. Without selfless people who came before us, we would not have had the opportunity to continue our journey. Just when I thought the weight of uncertainty was ultimate, gratitude stepped in. I felt as though we owed everything to them. All the memories, opportunities, and life to come — a direct result of their efforts.
As our journey continued we had many years of highs, making joyous memories with our family. All the while uncertainty still weighed. That uncertainty became real again in 2010 when another surgery was required. This time we traveled out of state to Mott's Children Hospital. Again I was in a situation made possible through donors — selfless people before me allowing our journey to continue. Gratitude was again on top.
My daughter graduated and chose nursing school, ultimately deciding on pediatric oncology. Changing the world every day with her resilience and gentle care for her patients — all formed by her own journey. As her nursing career was beginning, my mother's journey through life came to an end. She also had congenital heart disease, which directly impacted her battle with cancer. Shortly after, my father's journey came to a sudden end from a cardiac event. Then my father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. His journey came to an end after a fierce battle. Grief had become heavier than uncertainty — and heavier than gratitude.
As this new weight pressed down upon us, our journey through life slowly started to turn direction. The memories of our prior journey guiding the way. It's in those memories that gratitude rose to the top once again — but different from before. This time I knew and loved the people who came before me. This became the heaviest weight to bear. How do you show gratitude to those who are no longer in this world?
The answer is simple: "Change the World" — in their honor.
The Susan Ann Foundation is created to do just that — change the world through fundraising for medical advancement to combat the diseases that have impacted our journey. Join us in honoring all the selfless people who came before us, enabling the opportunities of future generations to prosper.
"The Susan Ann Foundation was created from a place of love and remembrance. What began as a way to honor her legacy has grown into a mission to support crucial medical research, helping families facing the same battles that so many others have endured. It is truly an honor to be involved in a foundation that both honors my grandmother's legacy and supports causes that are so close to my heart."
Enter one of our raffles and support life-saving medical research at the Cleveland Clinic. Every ticket changes lives.
Enter the Home Raffle — $100