Every day Children's National Medical Center saves children's lives. And for more than 50 years, readers of The Washington Post have been playing a vital role in caring for some of the area's most vulnerable children.

Washington Post columnists John Kelly, Bob Levey, and before them Bill Gold, used their daily columns as a platform to raise money for Children's National Medical Center, one of the nation's leading pediatric hospitals.

All of the money that is raised goes to pay the medical bills of poor children. No patient from the Washington area is ever turned away from Children's. That's why it's so important that money be raised to defray the costs of this vital "uncompensated care."

Read the stories of Children's Hospital patients as told by Post columnist John Kelly in this year's campaign:

• A chorus of thanks as hospital gives girl her voice - January 7, 2010
  Every night, Zoe attaches herself to a machine that breathes for her.
• Reasons to donate to Children's Hospital in D.C. - December 31, 2009
  "It's a community, all working toward the best result. It's a hopeful place."
• With infection, TB ruled out, teen's rare illness discovered - December 29, 2009
  When the standard TB regimen didn't work for Angelo, his family turned to Children's National
• From Guantanamo to D.C. to solve a medical mystery - December 23, 2009
  For years, Morgan Campagna she showed odd symptoms that no one could diagnose.
  Part 2:  Two doctors unlock mystery of girl's muscular disorder - December 24, 2009
• Campaign helps pay for preemies' care at Children's Hospital - December 16, 2009
  Babies that once would never have survived can now be saved.
• Their 'fragile' child needed lots of care and love. And he got it. - December 14, 2009
  Jonathon's parents were ready to supply unlimited amounts of love he'd need to live with Down syndrome. Children's National was committed to providing everything else, whether or not the family had health insurance.
• Young cancer patients wear their beads proudly - December 2, 2009
  Each bead on Carsten's necklace marks stages of his brave fight against cancer.
• As his son lay dying, a father's prayers were answered - December 1, 2009
  Jeroy's asthma was all H1N1 needed to gain a foothold in his lungs.
• Children's gives the birthday boy a helping hand toward the future - November 25, 2009
  The neurology and oncology teams at Children’s combine forces to treat Brian.
• With pain relieved, a teen gets a second chance to be a teen - November 18, 2009
  Anesthesiologist Julie Finkel hopes to take the guess work out of measuring pain.
• When fate takes an awful turn, Children's Hospital intervenes - November 16, 2009
  After a devastating lawnmower accident, a 5-year-old learns to adapt, thanks to the doctors and nurses at Children's.