top of page
Malawi.JPG

HEARTS FOR MALAWI GALA

Join Drs. David and Elizabeth Fitzgerald and the Chapel Hill community on September 20th as we celebrate 14 years of transforming pediatric emergency care in Malawi—and support the next chapter of this life-saving mission.

HEARTS FOR MALAWI GALA official flyer.png

Silent & Live Auctions

Join us for both silent and live auctions featuring an exceptional collection of items and experiences to support children in Malawi. Our silent auction will showcase beautiful artwork and local services while our live auction will feature exclusive travel experiences to destinations across the United States and around the world, plus high-value art pieces. Every bid brings us closer to our fundraising goal which will transform lives and create lasting impact for Malawi's children. Preview auction items online before the event and get ready to take home something extraordinary while supporting an extraordinary cause.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

SVN Logo .png
Gala Sponsor Logos .png

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

LanginoLaw Logo.png

THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND SUPPORTERS

NM Logo-Black on Transparent.png
Gala Sponsor Logos .png
YVP 25 vaysgant visuals logo.png
LVD Logo Circle all Words, white background.png

A Personal Message from Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Coming Soon: Watch Elizabeth share her personal journey and the vision for this life-saving work in her own words."

This special one-minute message will give you an intimate look at why this mission matters and how your support creates lasting change.

A Story That Started with Two Seven-Month-Old Boys
 

Fourteen years ago, Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald was working in a Malawian hospital when she met twin boys whose mother had died. These babies wouldn't survive without immediate help. Elizabeth adopted them, bringing them into her family.

​

But she couldn't adopt every child who needed help. So she made a different choice—she decided to build a healthcare system that would give every child a fighting chance.

​

"I see the faces of the mothers in the United States and I see the faces of the mothers in Malawi, and they're the same." - Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald

​

Today, those twin boys are thriving teenagers. And the healthcare programs Elizabeth helped create are now run by Malawian professionals who save children's lives every day.

twins pic.jpg
HeartfsorMalawi.jpeg

The Reality We're Changing Together

​

 

"The reality is heartbreaking—children die from preventable causes that would be easily treatable elsewhere." - Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald

 

In Malawi, children face barriers to healthcare that no child should encounter. But through locally-led development, we're proving that sustainable change is possible.

Building Something That Lasts

 

Instead of creating dependency, we create independence. Instead of temporary fixes, we build permanent solutions. ​Our Approach:

​

What We've Accomplished Together

✓ Helped establish pediatric laboratory capabilities serving thousands of children

✓ Trained 70+ local clinicians in life-saving emergency protocols

✓ Provided 30+ scholarships creating the next generation of healthcare leaders

✓ Built Dzama Village School educating 100+ children annually

✓ Created sustainable employment for Malawian healthcare professionals

What's Possible When We Come Together

Our September 20th gala isn't just about fundraising—it's about celebrating what happens when a community commits to sustainable change.

​

Your Support Makes Possible:

​

  • Expanded pediatric emergency care programs across Malawi

  • Additional training for healthcare professionals

  • Continued scholarship opportunities for future medical leaders

  • Sustainable systems that save lives long after the gala ends

 

Goal: $150,000-$200,000 to support pediatric emergency care programs

Join Us for an Inspiring Evening

September 20, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Carolina Club, Chapel Hill, NC
Black-Tie Event

​

CarolinaClub.png

What to Expect:

​

  • Premiere of documentary following Elizabeth's remarkable journey

  • Stories from Malawian healthcare professionals

  • Elegant dinner and meaningful conversation

  • Open bar with premium selections

  • Live music entertainment featuring Blue Cup Riot

  • Silent and live auction opportunities

  • A vision for healthcare equality that will inspire you

Be Part of Something That Actually Works

Every ticket purchased, every dollar donated, every person who attends sends a message: we believe every child deserves the same chance to survive, regardless of where they're born.

Ticket Information Available Upon Registration

​

Questions? Contact us at malawichildrensinitiative@gmail.com or malawichildrensinitiative.org

MalawiChildren.jpeg

Meet Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Screen Shot 2022-05-23 at 4.32.58 PM.png

Dr. Elizabeth Fitzgerald is a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at UNC and Director of Pediatric Global Health. She has dedicated 14 years to building sustainable healthcare infrastructure in Malawi while raising five children, including the twin boys she adopted who inspired this mission.

​

Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a model for locally-led healthcare development that other organizations now study and replicate.

girl in chitenje_edited.png

Where Every Dollar Goes

​

100% volunteer US operations means every donation reaches programs in Malawi


Complete financial transparency with detailed impact reporting

 

Over $1 million deployed directly to life-saving programs since 2017

​

Interested in a Sponsorship? PDF

Contribute an In-Kind Donation PDF

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
MCI Logo2_edited.png
bottom of page