Acrobatics by Pink Help Raise $8.4 Million for Children

At the Dreamfest Benefit, the singer took to the stage for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals

Words by CATHERINE BIGELOW
Photography by DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Although original headliner Elton John was sidelined by an eye infection, powerhouse performers Imagine Dragons and singer-slash-aerialist Pink expertly stepped up to home plate and wowed on Wednesday, September 18, at Oracle Park. An enthusiastic crowd of 24,000 raised $8.4 million during the Dreamfest Concert for Kids, hosted by Salesforce CEO-founder Marc Benioff amid his annual Dreamforce tech conference (this year, laser-focused on AI) in San Francisco.

Guests delighted in preconcert entertainments on the field and throughout concourse levels of this World Series Championship ballpark, including an array of tricked-out VIP lounges and suites for high rollers who ponied up from $5K to $1 million to the worthy cause.

Bountiful buffets and open bars greeted all revelers, who also enjoyed grooving in DJ lounges with performers, including When Doves Cry (a Prince tribute band) and drag queens Nicki J and Snaxx. Interactive activities included paint-by-number artworks, silk-screen T-shirt stands, vintage pinball machines, a silent disco, and booths highlighting health innovations at UCSF Benioff.

Community engagement and philanthropy have long been tenets for Benioff and his global Salesforce staff. Since 2010, supporters of this annual concert have raised more than $121 million for the world-class scientific research and youth-centric care at UCSF Benioff hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, where a new $1.5 billion, state-of-the-art hospital expansion is under way.

Prior to a dazzling midair drone show sparkling over the bay and outdoor ball field, other stars took center stage, led by Hollywood hottie (and a Salesforce “creative advisor”) Matthew McConaughey, who presented the 2024 Colin Powell Medal of Courage to the fete’s youngest — and bravest — attendee, thrilled to enjoy her very first concert.

Elena Sweet, now just 12 years old, received groundbreaking treatment over 10 months at UCSF Benioff Oakland, where doctors successfully beat her rare form of bone cancer into remission.

The Alameda youth, who, during her care organized hospital events and directed talent shows, now serves as a patient ambassador. She dreams of becoming a social worker to “help more people, and do a little bit of everything for everyone.”

“My treatment was really rigorous: I had 14 chemo cycles, radiation, eight surgeries — one 15 hours long to save my leg — and spent 115 nights in the hospital,” explained Sweet, her pate framed by a halo of healthy curls. “It’s amazing to receive this honor. My hope is to help raise funds for hospital therapy programs, which helped me so much: music, child life specialists, and pet therapy. Ahbi, a golden retriever who’s also here tonight, cuddled next to me on my hospital bed.”

Appointed just six months ago as president of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Nicholas Holmes was delighted by the energy at his inaugural Dreamfest experience.

“Our pediatrics department is transformative because we don’t just treat the disease, we treat the whole child,” he said. “That’s why our therapies — games, art, recreation — ensure that kids, despite their diagnoses, can still be kids and reach their highest potential. Elena is an inspirational example of that human spirit.”