Pitt QB Phil Jurkovec Launches Children's Hospital Fundraiser

The Pitt Panthers' starting quarterback hopes to raise $100,000 for UPMC Children's Hospital.

PITTSBURGH -- Phil Jurkovec may be new to the Pitt Panthers, but he is no stranger to Pittsburgh and the institutions that make up this city. He's intimately familiar with one of those institutions - UPMC Children's Hospital in Bloomfield - and has started a fundraising campaign to support a part of it that's near and dear to his heart. 

Jurkovec, who - barring any unforeseen circumstances - will start under center for the Panthers in the season opener against Wofford, launched "5 for Kids" this week, which aims to raise $100,000 for the neonatal intensive care unit at UPMC Children's Hospital. 

Jurkovec's own brother, Sebastian, received life-saving care in the NICU as a premature newborn, making this a special cause for the Pitt signal-caller. 

"Today, Sebastian is a healthy 20-year-old," Jurkovec said. "My parents, five siblings, and I are so grateful to UPMC Children's. Being home in Pittsburgh and playing football for Pitt gives me the unique opportunity to spotlight the work of UPMC Children's, specifically the NICU, in saving babies like Sebastian and supporting their families in crisis."

Jurkovec's already raised more than $8,000 towards his goal, mostly from his own $5,000 initial donation. Donations can be made through this link. 

Panthers have a strong recent history of raising money for Children's Hospital. In 2022, long-snapper Cal Adomitis raised more than $121,000 for his "Cal's Kids" initiative, all of which benefited pediatric  cancer research at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. 

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