Eli Manning Donates $14 Million to UMMC for Children’s Health: A Heartfelt Pledge to Mississippi’s Future
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — In a major act of generosity and heartfelt commitment to his home state, former New York Giants quarterback and Ole Miss alumnus Eli Manning has pledged $14 million to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) as part of its historic campaign to improve neonatal and pediatric care in Mississippi.
The pledge, announced by UMMC in a press release Tuesday, represents one of the most significant individual donations in the medical center’s history. Manning and his wife, Abby, made the donation in support of UMMC’s ambitious $100 million fundraising effort aimed at expanding its children’s health services.
UMMC, the state’s only academic medical center, is undertaking this massive campaign to meet the growing demands for specialized care for Mississippi’s youngest and most vulnerable patients. The funds will help expand the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), add more pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) rooms, build new surgical suites tailored to children’s needs, and create a state-of-the-art imaging department specifically designed for pediatric patients.
The campaign, which began earlier this year, is the largest in the history of UMMC. It reflects a growing urgency in the state to improve healthcare infrastructure for children, particularly those facing critical health conditions. With the support of donors like the Mannings, UMMC hopes to build a facility that not only meets current needs but positions Mississippi as a leader in pediatric care in the region.
“We want the very best for the children in Mississippi,” said Eli Manning. “This place means a lot to us, and we feel strongly about making sure that children here—especially those who are sick and in need of specialized care—have access to the best facilities and the best doctors. That’s why Abby and I are proud to support this campaign.”
Manning is no stranger to supporting children’s causes. He has long been a champion of UMMC’s children’s programs and has previously supported the construction of the Eli Manning Children’s Clinics, which provide outpatient care to pediatric patients. This latest pledge is a continuation of the Mannings’ deep-rooted commitment to the health and well-being of Mississippi’s children.
The impact of the $14 million donation is expected to be transformational. UMMC’s pediatric services are already considered essential in a state that consistently ranks near the bottom in national child health outcomes. Mississippi faces higher-than-average rates of infant mortality, preterm birth, and pediatric chronic illness. The expansion of UMMC’s neonatal and pediatric units will allow the center to treat more patients and provide higher quality, specialized care to those in need.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine at UMMC, expressed deep gratitude for the Mannings’ generosity.
“This is a monumental moment for our institution and for the future of pediatric healthcare in Mississippi,” said Woodward. “Eli and Abby Manning have once again demonstrated their deep love for this state and its people. Their gift will have an impact that extends far beyond these walls. It’s about saving lives, giving families hope, and creating a better future for thousands of children.”
The expanded neonatal intensive care unit will help address the pressing issue of infant care in the state. NICUs are critical for babies born prematurely or with complex medical needs. Currently, space constraints limit how many infants can be treated at UMMC, often resulting in long waits or transfers to facilities in other states. With the expansion, more families will be able to stay close to home while their babies receive care.
The addition of pediatric ICU rooms and surgical suites will also enhance UMMC’s capacity to handle complex pediatric cases, from trauma and cancer to rare genetic conditions. Furthermore, the new imaging center will be equipped with child-friendly designs and state-of-the-art technology, allowing for faster, more accurate diagnoses while minimizing stress and discomfort for young patients.
The Mannings’ donation also sends a strong message about the role of public figures in community advocacy. As a two-time Super Bowl champion and respected NFL figure, Eli Manning has used his platform not only for athletic excellence but also for philanthropy. His connection to Mississippi runs deep: he grew up watching his father, Archie Manning, star at Ole Miss, and later followed in his footsteps by becoming a standout quarterback for the Rebels before being drafted first overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.
His wife Abby, also a Mississippi native, shares his passion for community involvement and children’s health. Together, they have devoted time and resources to causes close to their hearts, especially those focused on family, health, and youth.
Beyond bricks and mortar, the Mannings’ gift symbolizes hope. For many families in Mississippi, access to top-tier pediatric healthcare can mean the difference between life and death. This donation will not only expand capacity but will help attract and retain top pediatric specialists, nurses, and researchers. It represents an investment in the future of healthcare, education, and the well-being of generations to come.
As the $100 million campaign continues, UMMC hopes that the Mannings’ gift will inspire others to give. The scale of the project requires broad community support—from individuals, businesses, philanthropic organizations, and government partners. With more contributions, the vision of a world-class pediatric center in Mississippi becomes closer to reality.
In the coming months, UMMC will release detailed plans for the expansion, including architectural renderings and timelines for construction. Groundbreaking is expected to occur sometime next year, with completion projected in phases over several years.
For families like the Smiths from rural Mississippi, whose premature twins were saved by UMMC’s NICU last year, the news of the expansion is deeply personal. “We’re so thankful for the care we received,” said Alicia Smith. “We stayed in Jackson for three months while our babies were in the NICU. Knowing that it’s going to get even better—that more babies will have a chance—it just warms our hearts.”
In a time when healthcare challenges are mounting across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas, the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s expansion is a beacon of progress. And thanks to the Mannings’ $14 million gift, that future is already beginning to take shape.
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