When Delilah was diagnosed with a congenital liver disorder, her mother Tabitha, recalls, “Doctors told us she wasn’t going to make it.”

She’d need a new liver. She spent five months in Seattle Children’s Hospital waiting. It was a time of uncertainty and worry, but doctors eventually found a donor. Along the way, she qualified for a wish through . Delilah wished to go on a cruise.

Delilah’s cruise was more than just a trip. It was a transformational week that gave her some power and control over her life and circumstances. She splashed in the pool, swam with dolphins and met her favorite cartoon characters. And now you have the power to help other kids like Delilah.

From March 1 to 31, you can help send more kids like Delilah on wish trips by donating your airline miles. The and Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington are teaming up to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The goal is to raise 1 million airline miles in one month to bring local kids with life-threatening conditions joy. Visit to donate; Alaska Airlines is matching the first 250,000 miles donated.

When you donate your miles, you provide a break from medical procedures and hospital stays.

“It was so fun to see her relaxing, to be able to not worry about a thing,” said Tabitha. “A wish gives children hope. It gives them a chance to relax and be a kid. We didn’t talk about the transplant, doctors or blood work once. We were able to enjoy each other as a family.”

Since 1986, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington has granted wishes to more than 6,000 local children. Help Make-A-Wish grant a wish to every qualified child by .

Each year, the UWCFD selects a featured charity, and the selection this year went to Facing Homelessness, a Seattle nonprofit who urges people to “just say hello” to people living on the street. Special events, including a Stair Climb at six locations on our three campuses and two medical centers raised more than $39,000 for Facing Homelessness.

“We have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by UW employees, and we look forward to a continued partnership as together we address the issues of those living on the streets in our shared neighborhood,” said Rex Hohlbein, executive director of Facing Homelessness.

The statewide fundraising campaign dates back to 1984, and the UW community has contributed a total of $41.5 million for nonprofits, UW scholarships, and UW programs.

Donors can pledge a one-time donation or give all year through payroll deduction to support local programs and global nonprofits. There are more than 5,000 vetted organizations to choose from, and donations are tax deductible.

The UWCFD has raised $1,935,834 so far, and organizers hope to surpass $2.2 million in pledges this year. Thousands of UW community members support a wide range of efforts: hunger and wildfire relief, medical and environmental work, social services, and various UW scholarships and departments. To contribute, visit the .

Recipients of the Distinguished Staff Award are those who achieve excellence and exude a passionate commitment to the university’s mission. Nominate an individual or a team of up to eight staff members. Up to five nominees will be selected for this $5,000 award presented at the university’s Awards of Excellence in June 2016, and all nominees will be honored at the Distinguished Staff Award reception in spring.

Visit the site to nominate. All classified and professional staff who hold a 50 percent or greater regular appointment and have been employed at the University for a minimum of six months as of Nov. 20 are eligible. One nomination letter (600-1,200 words) and three support letters (300-600 words) for each nominee is required. Submissions are accepted through 5 p.m. on Nov. 20.

Recipients of the Thorud Leadership Award are inspirational leaders who set the bar high with exemplary service to the university. This award is given for exceptional collaboration and innovation, and presented to one faculty and one staff member just once in their career.

Visit the site to nominate. All nominees will receive a congratulatory letter and a copy of their nomination in mid-December. Those selected to receive this year’s award will be presented with $2,500 and honored at the Awards of Excellence ceremony. The nomination period closes on Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.

The UWCFD, UW’s workplace giving campaign, raised more than $2 million last year for 1,800 nonprofits and for many UW scholarships and programs. This year’s campaign runs through Dec. 4.

A coin drive, sock drive, and silent auction benefit the featured charity, Facing Homelessness. Bring your spare change and a package of new socks for men, women, or children to support Facing Homelessness, whose mission is to create an awareness of people living on the street, and to help.

Auction items include a Woodmark Hotel Package, Hoodsport Winery Wine & Chocolate Tasting, EMP Tickets, Seattle Children’s Theatre Tickets, 5focus Kinesis Classes, and a Brian Carter Cellars Wine Tasting, and door prizes include a GoPro camera and Seattle Mariners tickets prize pack. All faculty, staff, students, and retirees are welcome to attend.

The campaign ran from Oct. 16 to Dec. 5, 2014, with UW faculty, staff and retirees pledging to 1,819 nonprofit organizations. Employees contributed through ongoing payroll deduction or one-time gifts.

“The UW community’s philanthropic spirit is inspirational,” said Kerri Everly, campaign manager for the UW Combined Fund Drive. “Our record-breaking campaign will benefit so many here in Washington and around the globe. This achievement is really something to celebrate.”

Some 2014 campaign highlights are:

• UW raised more than $26,000 for , a vital, regional advocacy group providing arts access to millions through grant-making and other creative efforts.
• This total includes $5,100 from the October silent auction & $4,223 from a campuswide coin drive.
• UW Masters of Public Health candidate Suzanne Ceresko brought her experience as a Doctors Without Borders volunteer to a special event in Health Sciences in November.
• UW Medicine IT Services rookie coordinators, Amber O’Brien and Jenna Thurston, helped increase their department’s participation by 10 percent to raise an additional $10,000 in pledges.

Since the campaign began in 1984, the UW community has raised more than $39 million to support thousands of causes. The drive has received the state’s highest university participation award, as well as other national and local awards.

Donors can choose from more than 4,000 nonprofits operating locally and globally. You can give a one-time donation or give all year through payroll deduction. Donations are tax-deductible.

The UWCFD has raised $1,885,617 so far, and organizers hope to surpass $2.2 million in pledges this year. From local food banks to environmental causes to UW departments and programs, UW faculty, staff, and retirees support a wide range of efforts. See the for more.

This year’s effort kicks off with the UW Combined Fund Drive Charity Fair & Silent Auction on Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the HUB ballroom. The event marks the start of the drive, which runs through Nov. 28. Learn about the community work of more than 80 nonprofits and enjoy a cupcake in celebration of the campaign’s 30th anniversary.

Attendees can also enter to win the grand prize: Seattle Sounders FC tickets and Sounders shirt prize pack. They can also visit the event sponsor SECUWA’s table and enter to win a GoPro camera.

A silent auction and coin drive benefits ArtsFund and includes a Seahawks football signed by Russell Wilson, Brian Carter Cellars Wine Tasting, ACT Theatre tickets, Agua Verde Paddle Club Experience, Ernie Banks (“Mr. Cub”) autographed baseball, Seahawks vs. Raiders tickets, and much more. Bring your spare change to support ArtsFund, the UW Combined Fund Drive’s featured charity, whose mission is to strengthen the community by supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grant-making.

The fair is free and open to faculty, staff, students, and retirees. See the for details.

The campaign ran Oct. 16 to Dec. 6, 2013. During that time, UW faculty, staff and retirees pledged $63,789 more than the to 1,788 charitable nonprofit groups. Employees contributed through ongoing payroll deduction or one-time gifts.

“The UW community continues to demonstrate its philanthropic spirit by supporting hundreds of local, national and international organizations and helping to make the world a better place,” said Kerri Everly, campaign manager for the UW Combined Fund Drive. “I am proud to be part of such a generous and caring community.”

Some highlights from the 2013 campaign are:

• A campuswide coin drive raised $5,215 for the , which serves burn injury survivors through a partnership with Harborview Medical Center.
• Another $3,063 went to the Northwest Burn Foundation from the campaign’s annual silent auction. Additional fundraisers brought the total to $10,432.
• A holiday food drive raised 12,000 pounds of food for the U-District Food Bank.
• Leaders in UW Medicine’s human resources department launched a “Pie Your Boss” contest that earned $4,000 to benefit agencies involved in typhoon relief efforts, including Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.

Since the campaign began in 1984, the UW community has raised more than $37 million to support thousands of causes. The drive has received the state’s highest university participation award, as well as other national and local awards, for its outstanding campaign.

Donors can choose from more than 3,800 charitable nonprofits operating locally and globally. You can give a one-time donation or give all year through payroll deduction. Donations are tax-deductible.

The UW campaign has raised more than $2 million so far. Organizers hope to surpass $2.2 million in pledges this year.

Learn more about the campaign — and donate now — through the fund drive’s .