Charities Supported
The charities supported by the Aidan Shea Foundation over the years were chosen because they either represent causes in which Aidan personally believed or which were inspired by Aidan's story. More Aidan-related charities will likely continue to be added through the years. In 2022, the Aidan Shea Foundation is raising funds for the following charities:
Project IGNITE at the Lurie Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Project Ignite is led and was formed by the lead doctor who handled Aidan's care in Lurie’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (“PICU”), Dr. Marcelo Malakooti. The project seeks to improve care for critically ill PICU patients. An example of work done by Project IGNITE is finding a way for families who can’t physically be in the PICU during rounds to participate virtually. Another example is creating virtual reality worlds for critically ill patients to enjoy. The Aidan Shea Foundation has supported Dr. Malakooti’s work with over $85,000 in donations to date.
Thanks to the generous support of the Aidan Shea Foundation. We in the IGNITE Innovation program in the PICU at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago have been able to build and grow innovative solutions for our special patients and families whom we serve. The partnership of the Foundation and efforts of the Shea family to assist us in searching for new, creative ways to enhance our care delivery, from virtual reality programs to preserving life-saving resources, has been integral to our development and preservation of our Mission.
Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship
In 2021 and 2022, the Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship supported a student of need pay for their education at the University of Illinois Law School. This project was selected because both of Aidan’s parents attended the University of Illinois, both as law students and as undergraduates, and Aidan talked about hoping to attend there as well someday. Starting in 2023, the Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship will be used to contribute to college costs for a class of 2024 York Duke! The application process will open in the early 2024.
Celtic Irish American Academy
Starting in the summer of 2023, the Aidan Shea Foundation will sponsor a student to attend a two-week immersive program at the Celtic Irish American Academy (“CIAA”). Connor Shea attended the program in the summer of 2022 and Liam plans to attend in the summer of 2024. Run by family on Aidan’s paternal grandmother’s side in Galway, Ireland, the program seeks to connect students from around the world to their Irish heritage.
Foster Progress
Starting in 2022, the Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Illinois-based non-profit Foster Progress. This fine organization empowers Illinois youth currently or formerly in foster care to attain a college degree and transition into adulthood successfully by providing mentorship, advocacy, and educational opportunity.
Hephzibah Children’s Association
Starting in 2022, the Aidan Shea Foundation began formally supporting Hephzibah Children’s Association, Oak Park’s oldest social service agency which provides short- and long-term group homes for abused and neglected children, child welfare and family services, adoption services and an award winning sliding scale payment day care. Aidan Shea Foundation supporter and close Shea family friend, Donna Rolf, is a Hephzibah Board member.
