2026 Starlight Awards
Starlight is committed to fulfilling our mission - delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families. We could not do this without the support of our generous donors, partners, and hospitals.
In 2026, several individuals, organizations and groups went above and beyond in promoting our work of bringing happiness to kids at a time when they need it most. Recognizing them with a Starlight Award is a small gesture in comparison to the lasting impact of their efforts.
Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer
For more than two decades, Robert Pasin, Chief Wagon Officer of Radio Flyer, has been a dedicated champion for Starlight and hospitalized children. Under his leadership, Radio Flyer has donated more than 20,000 wagons to Starlight’s hospital network, transforming patient transport into moments of joy, comfort, and play. His team also helped develop the Starlight Hero Wagon, designed specifically for pediatric hospitals in collaboration with clinicians and families to better meet the needs of young patients. His longstanding commitment to innovation, partnership, and improving the hospital experience has had a lasting impact on children, families, and healthcare providers nationwide, making him a deserving recipient of Starlight’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Golden Heart
Steve Burns
Steve Burns has transformed childhood nostalgia into meaningful impact for hospitalized kids and their families, making him one of Starlight Children's Foundation's most dedicated celebrity supporters. Best known as the original host of “Blue's Clues,” Steve has leveraged appearances at fan conventions nationwide to raise funds for Starlight by donating proceeds from autograph sessions, turning fan engagement into meaningful support for kids facing serious illness.
Steve's commitment extends far beyond fundraising. While traveling for conventions, he takes time to visit Starlight partner hospitals, where he delivers toys, spends time with young patients, and creates moments of joy and connection. Recognizing that hospitalization affects entire families, Steve also champions caregivers, inspiring Starlight to introduce caregiver care packages during his visits. As Steve shared, "Someone has to care for the caregivers." His compassion, authenticity, and commitment have brought comfort not only to children, but also to the parents and loved ones who care for them.
Hospital of the Year
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt consistently shines as a Starlight hospital partner, and it's easy to see why.
As Middle Tennessee's only freestanding children's hospital and the region's only comprehensive nonprofit pediatric healthcare provider, Monroe Carell has been named the No. 1 children's hospital in Tennessee and has consistently ranked among the top children's hospitals in the Southeast. That same commitment to excellence and whole-child care is reflected in its longstanding partnership with Starlight.
Monroe Carell's child life team plays an integral role in shaping Starlight's programs by providing thoughtful feedback that helps inform and inspire the development of bespoke offerings for children across Starlight's nationwide hospital network. The team also partners with Starlight to host ambassador visits, creating memorable experiences for young patients through activities at the Seacrest Studio, interactive games, and Starlight Gaming and Toy Deliveries. Together, these efforts help bring moments of happiness, comfort, and connection to children and families throughout their hospital journey.
Golden Heroes
Content Creators of the Year
Hel, Rising Star Award
Since joining the Stream for Starlight community in 2024, Hel has become one of its most dedicated fundraisers. During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, she rallied her community, raising more than $10,000 through her 2025 stream alone. A seasoned stream-a-thon creator, Hel continues fundraising long after her livestreams end, demonstrating her commitment to Starlight’s mission. To date, she has raised more than $24,000 for Starlight.
Sas8Jr, Heart of the Community Award
For the past five years, Shawn, better known as Sas8jr, has been a dedicated champion for Starlight through his fundraising efforts. In 2025, he expanded his impact by organizing an in-person community fundraiser that brought together local businesses and raised more than $11,000 for Starlight. His signature DJ Raid Train has also become a standout feature of Stream for Starlight campaigns, inspiring generosity and uniting the streaming community in support of seriously ill children and their families.
BlackAppleCreative, Dream Team Award
In 2025, BlackAppleCreative led her Stream Stars team in raising more than $70,000 for Stream for Starlight. Since 2019, the team has raised an extraordinary $400,000 to help expand Starlight’s program distribution. A true leader and collaborator, she goes above and beyond to support every Stream for Starlight campaign, inspiring fellow creators, rallying her community, and helping make Stream Stars one of the program's most impactful fundraising teams.
Excellence in Innovation Award
Jessica Murrey, CEO & Co-Founder
Wicked Saints Studios is being honored for its innovative approach to advancing Starlight's mission. Through World Reborn, the studio created a meaningful way for Gen Z players to transform their time and energy into real-world impact by placing purpose at the heart of the gaming experience.
From the beginning, Wicked Saints Studios worked closely with Starlight to integrate its mission into the player experience alongside collaborators such as e.l.f. Beauty and Discord, rather than a simple brand placement. By sharing the story of Starlight kid Jade, the game gave players a deep personal connection to Starlight’s mission, inspiring empathy and action. More than half of players chose to write personalized notes of encouragement, and since launch, they have created more than 10,000 messages of hope and happiness for hospitalized children across the country.