The MATER Children's Kidney Foundation brought together those who helped it take its first steps to thank them for three decades of support, solidarity, and work on behalf of children throughout Chile.
Thirty years after its founding, the MATER Children’s Kidney Foundation held a gathering at the Polo Club to thank and celebrate with the people who have been involved in this charitable project since its inception.
The event brought together friends, family, and close associates who provided the initial impetus for MATER’s founding three decades ago, when it all began with a small diagnostic facility and the dream of bringing healthcare, specialized care, and hope to children throughout Chile.
During the meeting, participants reflected on the challenges of those early years and the commitment of those who believed in an initiative that, over time, would become a leading institution in the care of pediatric patients with kidney disease.
Today, three decades later, MATER operates a medical center, a shelter, and mobile units that travel to different regions of the country, enabling thousands of children and their families to access diagnosis, treatment, and support.
One of the most moving moments of the day was recalling how many of those who supported this project in its early days were Dr. José Manuel Escala’s schoolmates, family members, and friends. They believed this dream was possible and came together to help make it a reality—one that, 30 years later, continues to change lives.
