Ferrari Fun Day 2026 Supports Children’s Minnesota Families
Ferrari Fun Day 2026 Brought the Community Together for Children’s Minnesota
Ferrari Fun Day 2026 was more than a car event. It was a powerful reminder of what happens when community, generosity, and world-class pediatric care come together for children and families facing some of life’s most difficult moments.
Hosted by the Ferrari Owners Club MN and the Children’s Hospital Association of St. Paul, the event supported Children’s Minnesota and the programs that help families receive care beyond medical treatment. From the exclusive Ferrari parade for Children’s Minnesota patients and families to the public celebration at Twin Cities Performance Ferrari, the day gave attendees a chance to experience beautiful cars, family-friendly fun, and a mission that matters.
All proceeds from Ferrari Fun Day directly support 15 unique and essential programs at Children’s Minnesota that the Children’s Hospital Association of St.Paul has pledged to support in 2026. These programs help children feel safe, provide families with needed tools and resources, and support wrap-around care that can make a meaningful difference during a child’s hospital journey.
Family Stories That Show Why This Support Matters
At Ferrari Fun Day, families shared personal stories that showed the real impact of Children’s Minnesota and the programs supported through the event. Their experiences were a powerful reminder that pediatric care is not only about treatment. It is also about comfort, trust, emotional support, and helping children and families move through incredibly difficult moments.
Octavia’s Story
Kalli Johnson shared the story of her daughter, Octavia, who was diagnosed before birth with a cleft lip, cleft palate, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and a rare genetic condition connected to Hardikar syndrome.
Born at 32 weeks by emergency C-section, Octavia spent her first 80 days at Children’s Minnesota, where she received lifesaving NICU care, multiple surgeries, ventilator support, and ongoing treatment. Kalli shared how overwhelming and uncertain those early days were, but also how deeply supported her family felt by the care teams at Children’s Minnesota.
Octavia’s journey did not end when she left the hospital. She has continued to receive care for her cleft lip, cleft palate, abdominal anomalies, pain management, and other complex needs. Through specialized care teams, pain and palliative support, cleft and craniofacial services, and family-centered care, Octavia has continued to grow, heal, and move forward.
Kalli’s story highlighted not only Octavia’s strength, but also the critical role Children’s Minnesota played in helping her family navigate an incredibly complex medical journey.
Anya’s Story
Nicky Boehm also shared the story of her daughter, Anya, whose connection to Children’s Minnesota began when she was just nine and a half months old. What started as a fever that would not go away led Nicky’s family to Children’s Minnesota, where they learned Anya had a softball-sized mass on her liver.
During Anya’s treatment for liver cancer, Nicky shared how Child Life and music therapy became an important part of their family’s experience. From the moment they arrived in the emergency room, Child Life helped Anya work through the fears that came with treatment, hospital stays, and medical procedures.
Nicky brought items that Anya wanted shared at the event, including photos, trophies, and memories from her care journey. One of the most meaningful moments came after Anya woke from a medically induced coma after going septic. A member of the care team was playing guitar, and Anya reached out to strum the strings. For Nicky, it was an unforgettable moment of hope and connection.
Today, Anya is six years old. She loves cars, taekwondo, trophies, and life. Her story shows how programs like Child Life and music therapy help children find moments of joy, courage, and control during experiences that can feel overwhelming.
Together, Octavia’s and Anya’s stories show why Ferrari Fun Day matters. The funds raised help support programs that provide care, comfort, and resources to children and families when they need it most.
The Impact of Children’s Minnesota Programs
Stories like Octavia’s and Anya’s show why programs supported by the Children’s Hospital Association of St. Paul matter. Families need more than medical expertise. They need care teams, resources, education, emotional support, and services that help them navigate the unknown.
The programs supported by Ferrari Fun Day help meet needs that may not always be visible but are deeply important to a child’s care experience. From helping children feel more comfortable in the hospital to supporting families with resources, education, music therapy, Child Life services, and family-centered care, these programs make a meaningful difference during some of the hardest moments of a family’s life.
Why Ferrari Fun Day Matters
Ferrari Fun Day helps raise awareness and funding for wrap-around services that support children and families at Children’s Minnesota.
The Children’s Hospital Association of St. Paul is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that works closely with the Children’s Minnesota to support programs focused on supplemental care and social determinants of health. These services help address needs related to healthcare access, education, family support, and social connection.
For families like Octavia’s and Anya’s, this kind of support can change the entire experience of receiving care.
Whether it is helping a family prepare for a complex birth, supporting a child through cancer treatment, providing comfort during a hospital stay, or creating a moment of joy through music, these programs help children and families feel seen, supported, and cared for.
A Thank You to the Ferrari Community
Ferrari Fun Day 2026 was made possible by the generosity of the Ferrari Owners Club MN, Children’s Hospital Association of St. Paul, Twin Cities Performance Ferrari, sponsors, donors, volunteers, attendees, and community members who came together to support Children’s Minnesota families.
The event featured Ferraris, food, family-friendly activities, photo opportunities, a silent auction, and a shared purpose: helping children feel cared for during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, volunteered, or helped make this event possible. Your support helps ensure that children and families at Children’s Minnesota receive not only exceptional medical care but also the wrap-around services that help them feel supported, seen, and cared for.
