Learn More About The Heartsongs Luncheon Fund

Teens with Heartsongs grew out of The Heartsongs Fund which ran from 2001 to 2020 as a tribute to Mattie J.T. Stepanek, a child poet, peacemaker, and an inspiration to us all. Mattie was a long-time patient of Children’s National before he lost his battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy in June 2004. To honor Mattie, and the enormous efforts put forth by the family of doctors and nurses at Children’s, not just on Mattie’s behalf, but on behalf of the millions of children treated at the Hospital every year, The Heartsongs Fund was created to support the hospital’s housing initiative for patients and families. The Heartsongs Fund raised over $2,500,000 for Children's National.