Giving Back

A note from Mark Hanratty, Founder & CEO of Swanky:

Every day, Children’s Hospitals perform miracles, saving thousands of young lives. Yet, despite their extraordinary efforts, they face chronic underfunding and depend on the generosity of donors to continue providing life-saving care.

At Swanky, we are deeply committed to helping these hospitals save as many children as possible. That’s why we pledge a portion of every sale to support Children’s Hospitals across the U.S.

This mission is profoundly personal to me. Just two days before the birth of my first son, Aaron, I left my job to dedicate myself fully to building Swanky. My vision was simple: to create a company that could provide for my growing family.

Aaron’s arrival didn’t go as planned. Shortly after his birth, he required emergency life-saving surgery. Over the next week, his tiny body was supported by an ECMO machine that oxygenated his blood outside his body, giving his heart and lungs the chance to heal. Holding him for the first time, a full week after his birth, remains one of the most powerful moments of my life.

Weeks in the NICU taught us the heartbreak of watching helplessly as our baby fought for his life. Thanks to an incredible medical team, Aaron eventually came home, and we felt profoundly grateful.

Our journey didn’t end there. In December 2020, we faced the NICU again—this time with our youngest son, Harrison. His birth seemed perfect, but within days, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The terror of reliving those early days of uncertainty was overwhelming. Fortunately, we caught the infection early, and after weeks of treatment, Harrison came home healthy.

Not every family is as fortunate as ours. Not every child has access to the exceptional care Aaron and Harrison received.

These experiences changed how I view Swanky. It’s no longer just about providing for my family; it’s about making a meaningful difference. Through Swanky, we aim to donate $100,000 annually to Children’s Hospitals, ensuring that more children get the fighting chance they deserve.

Together, we can create a lasting impact. Your support makes this possible, and I am profoundly grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Mark
(Dad of three & Founder of Swanky Badger)