Serving 170 children's hospitals across North America, this charity puts donations to use in the communities in which they were raised, and touches the lives of more children and their families than any other children's charity.

What does your organization do?
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. We help hospitals save kids’ lives. Our hospitals treat 98 percent of children who need heart or lung transplants, and 88 percent of children with cancer. But we also treat kids with asthma and broken bones. We are unique because we touch the lives of more children and their families than any other children’s charity. And we pride ourselves on the fact that funds stay local. When a donation is given it stays in that community. Hospitals can use the funds we raise however they see fit – to purchase equipment, conduct research, charitable care or provide child life services. They know where the funds are needed most.

Where is your organization located?
Our headquarters are in Salt Lake City, but our 170 hospitals and media and corporate partners cover the entire United States and Canada. Donations remain in the communities in which they were raised, helping local kids. To find your Children's Miracle Network Hospital, visit http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/Hospital/Search.

How have you responded to the economic crisis?
The need for help is greater than ever, especially relating to children’s healthcare. That is why we are determined to quadruple our fundraising to raise $1 billion annually for children’s hospitals by the year 2022. Even with recent economic concerns, we’ve been able to grow fundraising for our hospitals. A major reason for this growth is because much of our fundraising campaigns rely on small donations — $1 or $5, for example  — from consumers. Our most recognizable campaign is the paper Miracle Balloon sold at retailers for as little as $1. It’s a win-win: Consumers love the feeling they get by helping their hospital; most can donate at least $1, even on a tight budget. Our hospitals win when so many community members support them and the kids they’re caring for.
Is there a time during the year when you need more help than usual?
Our children’s hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Children are treated daily for complex and rare conditions as well as more common ailments, regardless of their ability to pay and regardless of the time of year. We need support all year long.

How can I help?
There are countless ways to help children in your community right now.
You can:

• Donate
• Volunteer
• Help share our message by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter
• Participate in fun events like Miracle Treat Day, Torch Relay or Extra Life

Visit http://cmnhospitals.org help for more information. 

How can my company help?
There are several ways companies of any size can support the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in their community. Some opportunities include participating in Miracle Balloon icon campaigns, Round Up campaigns, Workplace Giving, or national one-day events like Miracle Jeans Day. Miracle Jeans Day is especially popular among the thousands of credit union employees who participate every year. This is a fun program because it’s so simple to help: wear jeans on Sept. 12 in exchange for a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
We have some companies come up with their own events. For example, one of our major corporate partners, Rite Aid, hosts an executive car wash each summer where executives wash employees’ cars to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It’s fun for everyone in the company and our hospitals really benefit.

What kind of impact will my donation have?

Your donation would benefit children in your own neighborhood, perhaps even your own child one day. Your Children's Miracle Network Hospital knows the best way to use those funds, whether it’s to support research and training, purchase equipment or pay for uncompensated care. Every year we select a child from each state and province to serve as an ambassador for children’s hospitals. These “Champions” are living examples of children who benefit from the funds we raise.
Matthew, our 2011 South Carolina Champion, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Our funds purchased the ECMO machine that helped save his life. They also helped fund the creation of the department of pediatric cardiology at MUSC Children’s Hospital where he was treated.
Hanna, our 2011 Oregon Champion (shown in photo to the left), was diagnosed with Hurler’s Disease as a child. Our funds helped Hanna by financing equipment in the pediatric department, IV pumps, monitors, a central monitor system and the teen room at Rogue Valley Medical Center.
We hear all the time from parents who had donated to CMN Hospitals in the past, never thinking their own child could be the one needing help some day. And then that day comes for them and they are so thankful their hospital had the best-in-class equipment their child needed so urgently.  We always say we hope you’ll never need one of our hospitals but we are thankful they’re there if you do.

What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
We save children’s’ lives. Children’s hospitals provide $2.5 billion in uncompensated care every year, yet most people don’t realize these hospitals are charities that rely heavily on community donations. Pediatric medical care is the most expensive and specialized care in the world, yet children’s hospitals receive the least amount of government funding and support.

What makes your organization successful?
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is proof that even the smallest donations can make a big difference! We’ve raised more than $4.5 billion dollars – most of it $1 at a time. Our organization is successful because we’ve focused on a cause to which so many people have a connection and we’ve made it simple for them to contribute. Thanks to our ‘Network’ we have a passionate group of hospitals, patient families, media, staff and corporate partners who want to make a difference. As a charity, it’s crucial to give stakeholders the tools they need to help – whether it’s generating awareness or raising funds.

Do you have any current or upcoming events?
We like to say that “May is for Miracles” because several of our Miracle Balloon icon campaigns are in full force at that time. Keep an eye out for the iconic paper balloon when visiting local retailers including Wal-Mart, Costco and Rite Aid during the month of May. And remember you’re not just buying a piece of paper; you are giving hope and healing to children in your own community. 

Want to learn more about Children's Miracle Network Hospitals?

Web Site: CMNHospitals.org

Phone: (801) 214-7400

Mailing Address: 205 W. 700 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84101

E-mail: editor@CMNHospitals.org

Connect with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

 www.facebook.com/cmnhospitals

 http://twitter.com/#!/CMNHospitals

 www.youtube.com/cmnhospitals

Blog: http://blog.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org