When Extra Life Becomes Personal

Impact StoryProgram Spotlight
CMN Balloon
When Extra Life Becomes Personal

Published on November 2, 2017

After teaming up with his wife to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for many years through Extra Life, Nathan and his wife were ecstatic to find out they were expecting their first child this year. Nearly six months into the pregnancy, they learned their daughter has a rare congenital heart defect.

Knowing that their daughter will have to undergo three open heart surgeries before she turns 4, raising money through Extra Life has now become a more personal experience for them. 

Funds raised through Extra Life help local hospitals provide treatment, new equipment, research, patient programs and more to help families like Nathan. You can help support his fundraising efforts by donating at his Extra Life fundraising page.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Short Story, Big Impact: Isabella Bernardini

Impact Story
CMN Balloon
Short Story, Big Impact: Isabella Bernardini

Published on November 2, 2017

Isabella Bernardini is a student at Southern Methodist University and on Monday, she quickly became a top participant fundraiser for Southern Methodist University’s Dance Marathon program. Within a day, she raised approximately half of their total amount currently fundraised. With a month out from the event, she has currently raised $8,800 individually, and she isn’t stopping there.

Two years ago, Isabella was diagnosed with a brain tumor (anaplastic astrocytoma). After a year and a half of undergoing surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Isabella is now cancer free! While she still has MRI’s and follow-up appointments at Children’s Health in Dallas, Texas, she has completed all invasive surgeries. Please click here to read Isabella’s full story.

Without the care I received from my local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital here in Dallas and the incredible support from family and friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve recognized the precious gift I was given when I not only survived but conquered cancer and now it is my mission to ensure no child suffers through illness or injury alone.” – Isabella

Thanks to care provided at Children’s Health, Isabella is fighting for the next generation – kids who have had experiences just like her. Isabella is an inspiration to not only Southern Methodist University, but to the entire Miracle Network Dance Marathon Movement and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Walmart and Sam’s Club Associates Get Excited During 30 Year Anniversary

News
CMN Balloon
Walmart and Sam’s Club Associates Get Excited During 30 Year Anniversary

Published on November 1, 2017

Walmart and Sam’s Club associates are very passionate about raising money for the kids! Walmart  Founder Sam Walton promised “Our associates will amaze you” and they have for 30 years raising more than $11.5 million for Primary Children’s Hospital in those 30 years. Nearly $600,000 has been raised for Primary Children’s Hospital during this year’s campaign which runs through November 3rd.

The funds are raised at the registers with members and customers donating and also by grants, contests and other creative fundraising by the associates. See more about Cheri Newport an associates that passionately raises funds for Primary Children’s Hospital. Also check out how much fun they had raising money in the Layton, Utah Sam’s Club self-checkout area with comedian Bill Engvall, who is well-known for his Blue Collar Comedy Tour.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Love’s Travel Stops raises more than $2.76 million

News
CMN Balloon
Love’s Travel Stops raises more than $2.76 million

Published on October 31, 2017

Love’s employees and generous customers surpassed their goal of raising $2.6 million for 101 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals this year and set a record for the most money raised during the in-store campaign over 18 years–$2.76 million!

From Aug. 26-Sept. 30, Love’s team members sold CMN Hospitals’ Miracle Balloons for donations and organized fundraising events like 5K runs, bowling tournaments, fishing tournaments, rummage sales, cookouts and more. Love’s showed additional support for CMN Hospitals on National Coffee Day. In honor of the day, all 24-ounce coffees and cappuccinos were discounted to $1, with all sales going to CMN Hospitals.

“Every year, our employees show passion and dedication for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and this year they also demonstrated perseverance,” said Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love’s. “Hurricanes Harvey and Irma hit during our campaign, forcing many of our Texas and Florida locations to temporarily close. Other locations stepped up their fundraising efforts so we could still make a difference for kids, while employees in storm-affected areas focused on recovery efforts. We’re thankful for the customers who support this cause every year, and proud of our employees.”

Donations go to help kids like Samantha, who was diagnosed with a congenital defect involving her brain and spine in May 2013 as well as a disorder that causes cysts to form within her spinal cord. She also experiences scoliosis. Since her diagnoses, she’s undergone surgery and received treatment at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center.

Since beginning its partnership with CMN Hospitals in 1999, Love’s has raised more than $20 million for the nonprofit.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Extra Life Game Day 2017: It all started with a little girl in Texas.

News
CMN Balloon
Extra Life Game Day 2017: It all started with a little girl in Texas.

Published on October 28, 2017

Nov. 4 thousands of Extra Lifers will participate in a 24-hour gaming marathon to raise money for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Extra Life unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $30 million for sick and injured kids. Sign up today and dedicate a day of play for kids in your community!

Tune into GAME DAY 2017 on Twitch.tv/ExtraLife4Kids:

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Dell Children’s Meets with Andrew Cherng, Founder and Chairman of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

News
CMN Balloon
Dell Children’s Meets with Andrew Cherng, Founder and Chairman of Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Published on October 25, 2017

On Friday, October 13, CMN Hospitals staff had the chance to meet Andrew Cherng, co-founder and co-chairman of Panda Express, in Austin, TX. The leadership team invited Dell Children’s Medical Center to say thank you in person. Account Director Kellie Tiner was also able to attend: “It was a wonderful chance to say thank you from our Austin hospital and all our hospitals. Megan our local Program Director and I both shared about where current funds are going and where past funds have been able to make a difference for in the Austin area. While Andrew was visiting the store a customer even shared their story about being in the hospital.”

Megan Campuzano, Primary Program Director at Dell Children’s, said, “The Panda visit was amazing. In addition to getting valuable face time with their leadership, I also got to connect more closely with my local contacts as we made arrangements for his visit. We have a great group of 22 locations benefiting Dell Children’s and they have shown incredible growth in the last year. In Austin, Panda Express increased from $65,000 in 2015 to over $106,000 in 2016. We celebrated that with a check presentation at one of their Round Rock locations and Andrew was so pleased as customers were cheering in the restaurant.”

Read more about Andrew Cherng here.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Texas Dairy Queen Tours Cook Children’s

News
CMN Balloon
Texas Dairy Queen Tours Cook Children’s

Published on October 25, 2017

Members from Texas Dairy Queen toured Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, TX to learn more about how their locations across the state make a difference at just one of the many hospitals in Texas. Members of Texas Dairy Queen toured the NICU, the pediatric rehab center and learned about child life. Last year Dairy Queen locations in Texas raised almost $500,000 and locally for Cook Children’s DQ locations raised $25,559!

Dairy Queen locations are gearing up for their Round Up For the Kids campaign November 15-30. Please join in and donate your change to make change happen for patients at your local CMN Hospital.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Industry Innovation Leaders – Hackathon at CMN Hospitals

Program Spotlight
CMN Balloon
Industry Innovation Leaders – Hackathon at CMN Hospitals

Published on October 19, 2017

The Innovation team at CMN Hospitals is constantly working on new ways to raise funds, raise awareness, and most importantly save kids. We know that we must be innovation leaders to fulfill our aspirations of saving kids’ lives.

At CMN Hospitals, we’re gearing up for our 2nd Innovation Hackathon. If you’re not quite sure what that is, we’ve got you covered.

Wait, what is a Hackathon?
We’re super glad you asked. Hackathon is a full day where everyone on our team can leave their desk, leave their regular duties, and put a full day toward something that they love that they think can help us solve problems for our organization and our network. We only ask that they share their results with us at the end.

Hmmm. I’m not sold.
It took us a minute to get on board too. But cutting-edge companies like Facebook, Google, and Adobe all do hackathons to allow employees to better the company in unrestricted and interesting new ways. Their results convinced us to give it a chance, and our 1st Hackathon solidified this event.

But they’re all tech companies and CMN Hospitals is a Non Profit.
You’re right. They are, but we’re the first major NPO (that we know of) that has a full-scale Hackathon day for its staff. We are committed to doing right, not being right; in order to do that we needed to listen to our people’s ideas–even if they’re outside of their day-to-day jobs. We knew that our staff has great ideas to increase efficiency, share our message, and increase fundraising if they only had the chance. Last spring, we gave them that chance. We had an incredible response and picked 2 projects that are in the works to revolutionize our processes here at CMN Hospitals.

What happens that day? 
Our staff spends the whole day working in self-chosen teams, working on a project they came up with. We give them brain fuel (awesome food), but mostly we give them time and space. Throughout the day, our Innovation team checks and supports the working groups. The next day, we have a big lunch party and everyone shares their work!

This idea is awesome. I want to help!
Have a great idea you think our teams should work on?
Interested in hosting up your own Hackathon to benefit CMN Hospitals?
Have an innovation team that can help us continue our work?
We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Megan Hillier-Geisler at mhillier@cmnhopsitals.org.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Golf Tournament Hosted by Smith Dairy Queens, Ltd. Benefiting Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s

News
CMN Balloon
Golf Tournament Hosted by Smith Dairy Queens, Ltd. Benefiting Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s

Published on October 18, 2017

On September 28th, 2017 the Smith Dairy Queen group hosted their 17th Annual Terry Omar Smith Memorial Golf Classic at the Wolfdancer Golf Club in Bastrop, Texas. The golf tournament benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s.

34 teams and 35 volunteers pushed through the rainy day all for the kids! There were three special guests, Luke Edmonds, Ryleigh Harvey, and Logan Parker, all former and current patients at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s. Luke Edmonds shared his with the crowd about his battle with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia. After six and a half months of grueling treatments he is now in remission!

All three miracle children along with the Smith Dairy Queen group presented a check in the amount of $102,400! It is through hard work and dedication to saving children’s lives that the Smith Dairy Queen group continues to raise more and more funds each year for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

For more information on the tournament, click here.

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story

Panda Restaurant Group Earns the Corporate Miracle Maker Award at Rady Children’s Hospital

Partner Spotlight
CMN Balloon
Panda Restaurant Group Earns the Corporate Miracle Maker Award at Rady Children’s Hospital

Published on October 16, 2017

The Miracle Makers Gala is a fun evening filled with delicious food and exciting entertainment – all while focusing on the miracles that happen at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego every day! Rady Children’s was proud to hold the 21sth Annual Miracle Makers Gala on Saturday, June 3 at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. The night commenced with a lively reception, followed by a delicious dinner where guests were delighted by spectacular entertainment. After dinner, guests danced the night away to the sounds of an exciting live band.

With more than 900 San Diego business and community leaders in attendance, the Miracle Makers Gala has grown to be one of the most exciting charity events of the year.  This year, proceeds from the Miracle Makers Gala will benefit the Institute for Brain Biology and Behavioral Health at Rady Children’s.

The first Miracle Makers Gala took place in 1990 at a private home.  Since then, it has grown to be one of the most elaborate and exciting charity events of the year in San Diego County with hundreds of guests attending.

Every year, Rady Children’s honors corporations and community groups that raise more than $500 annually for the Hospital. The 2017 Miracle Maker Award Recipients are:

  • Corporate Miracle Maker – Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.
  • Community Miracle Maker – Padres Pedal the Cause
  • Most Creative Miracle Maker – Extra Life
  • Youth Miracle Maker – Dylan’s Cutie Mart

Stories that Inspire

Stories of Impact

Children’s Miracle Network Sets Bold $1 Billion Fundraising Goal to Advance Children’s Healthcare in Local Communities

Actor Adam Devine Joins Organization to Launch “The Health For All Kids Impact Pledge” And Bring Attention to Critical Funding Needs For Children’s Hospitals Nationwide

Read the Full Story
Donate