HISTORY

In March of 2015, our daughter Molly Perry was involved in a horrific accident that left her clinging to life. She required multiple, immediate life saving surgeries, as well as a lengthy stay in the PICU on life support. Through the skill and care of her trauma team and trauma surgeons, she slowly became more stable. The facilities available to her, as well as the dedication of the trauma unit gave Molly the opportunity to begin the long climb back to her former self. 

​

As the surgeries, therapy, and rehab passed, and Molly entered back into a normal life we often reflected on just how critical her time in the trauma room and trauma surgery were to her survival. Studies show that children require not only different care, but far more care than adults with similar injuries. Had our hospital not had a dedicated pediatric trauma room or OR, her chances of survival would have been minimal. In the spirit of thankfulness we decided to use our experience as a springboard to make a positive impact, and created the Climb Back Foundation in 2018.

GOAL

Surprisingly accidents are the leading cause of death in children by a large margin, yet you rarely see it mentioned-often overshadowed in fundraising and awareness by disease like cancer and diabetes. The goal of our foundation is to not only bring awareness to this, but to fund pediatric specific trauma rooms and pediatric operating rooms so that children like Molly will also have their chance to climb back to health.

​

Our mission is simple-to increase availability of and access to pediatric specific trauma care at ERs and hospitals. We will do this on two fronts: advocating for the importance and need of pediatric trauma care to hospitals as well as helping to ensure that adequate funding for these units exists.

MOVING FORWARD

In October 2022, Salty Kids founder and matriarch, Nicole Perry, lost her battle with breast cancer. Nicole was the impetus behind not just the Salty Kids rodeo, but also the parent foundation that supports pediatric trauma care-a cause near and dear to her heart. Nicole was a shining personality, endlessly energetic and genuinely loved all children as if they were her own. Simply put, she is irreplaceable, and she will be missed dearly by her family, the Salty Kids Fishfest and the entire community as a whole. 

Nicole’s illness and treatment, combined with a devastated Grand isle infrastructure compliments of Ida, forced us to regrettably postpone last year’s rodeo. However, knowing her passion for this cause and this event, we couldn’t let another summer go by without seeing those smiling kids on the red carpet! In Nicole’s memory, with some help from some friends, Salty Kids will live on-but with a twist! Moving forward, Salty Kids will take place as the children’s division of the Swollfest Rodeo in Grand Isle, LA!