Disclosure: Many thanks to P&G for sponsoring today’s story and inspiring me to share this important information! All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
For all three of my pregnancies all I have ever really wished for was a healthy baby. We got lucky with two out of three. Our youngest born less than two years ago, Preemie, gave us a miracle! Born 10 weeks early we had no idea the challenges that lay ahead. All we knew was that we couldn’t bring her home right away, in fact it would be 53 days before she was finally given the okay to be home, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Meet Riley, she’s 12 now, but in 2002 when she was born, no one knew if she would make it. Born 3 1/2 months premature weighing in at a mere 1 pound 10 ounces her parents waited three weeks before they were able to hold their daughter for the first time. Riley’s story is just one of the many amazing and incredible stories of fascinating children who have beat the odds thanks to the help of one of the many Children’s Miracle Network.
Riley spent 90 days in the neonatal intensive care unit and had to undergo heart surgery before getting the clean bill of health and going home with her family. Today Riley is an ordinary but extraordinary young lady. She has shared her story at over 120 Dance Marathon events and helps to raise funds for the hospital that gave her a fighting chance. Working together with local hospitals, the Children’s Miracle Network funds support research, medical equipment and charitable care efforts that benefit children like Riley, and even my baby girl Preemie.
You see when Preemie was born the doctors noticed she had a heart murmur, which was later confirmed to be an Atrial Septal Defect, ASD for short. This means that there is a “hole” in the wall that separates the top two chambers of Preemie’s heart. This defect allows oxygen-rich blood to leak into the oxygen-poor blood chambers in the heart, causing an enlargement of the heart. While many children are born with an ASD, most correct themselves fairly quickly. In Preemie’s case the separation is larger than usual and she will need surgery to “seal” the area closed.
We were advised to follow-up with a cardiologist to keep a close eye on the opening, along with a list of symptoms to watch out for. After seeing two specialist that were affiliated with a specific hospital, and being told by both that surgery would be required by the age of 2, I sought out a new specialist affiliated with a different hospital, one that happens to be part of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Why did we choose a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital? They provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids all over the United States. And now they are doing it for us. While Preemie will still need surgery, we’ve been given more time and a chance for her to grow to better handle the surgery.
From broken bones, to asthma and birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network there to support the children and families that entrust their welfare to the care of their hospitals. To show support for the organization and the one in 10 kids in North America who are treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year, Walmart and Pampers have teamed up to donate $200,000 in the month of June.
By purchasing products like Pampers Swaddlers at your local Walmart, portions of the proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, up to $200,000. I am proud to support both Pampers and Walmart for coming together to do this for children like my own. By supporting the CMNH you are helping to provide 32 million patient visits for 10 million kids every year. Member hospitals treat 16,000 children in emergency rooms, provide surgery for 97 children every hour and provided $3.4 billion in charity care in 2012. Do you have a personal journey to share about your experience with a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital?
Children’s Miracle Network THANK YOU GIVEAWAY!
As a thank you for your time and consideration in supporting CMNH I am pleased to offer you the chance to win a $25 Walmart gift card! One person will be randomly selected to receive a $25 Walmart Gift Card. This sweepstakes will run from 6/26/15 until 7/15/15 at 11:59PM EST. All entrants must be at least 18 years of age or older. This sweepstakes is open to residents of the United States. The prize may be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please. Only one entrant per household (ip address). One winner per household, email address, IP address or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you may be ineligible to win again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. All entries are optional; however, the more tasks you complete the greater your chances of winning. Confirmed Winner(s), via Random.org, will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. You must use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Good Luck!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for P&G. I was received a Walmart gift card for sharing this information and giveaway; however, I am not responsible for the prize fulfillment. I chose this project because of my own connection to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The sponsor of this event will be responsible for fulfillment of prize. The materials and Walmart gift cards pertaining to and within this post were supplied to me by the P&G. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or any other social media network. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Comments (15)
There is one in my area -Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, I knew it was a CMNH.
I have not had a personal experience with CMN. The closest one is in Los Angeles. I knew it is there.
My best friend growing up had Leukema= Children’s Hospital was there for him
Our grandson was born with hip dysplasia. He had surgery at 4 months old and CMN helped with the cost as they had no insurance.
I haven’t had any experiences with these hospitals.
The closest one is Gillette’s Children’s Hospital in St Paul MN.
I did not know that it is a CMNH.
thank you
We have one very close to where I live called Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. I didn’t know it was a CMNH until recently
I have no personal experience with CMN and the nearest hospital to me is Gilettes Childrens Hospital in St Paul MN.
The one in East Tennessee is my nearest one…which isn’t very near at all actually. I did not know that was a Childrens miracle network hospital.
Golisano’s Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY would be my hospital. I have never had a personal experience with CMN, but I do have a co-worker who child needs and uses their benefits.
The little girl I watch every day is actually at a CMN Hospital right now. She had to have surgery this morning and will be there a few days.
I have no experience with CMNH but there is one close to us in Oregon for privacy reasons I don’t want to post my town online but I can email it to you if you need verification.
Boston is the closest one to me. I have heard they are real good with children there.
There is one in my area….and I did not know it was a CMN.
I have not had any experience with CMN Hospitals but have checked that the closest one to me is over 180 miles away in CDA, ID.
Our local CMNH is Penn State Hershey Medical Center. I did know that it was a CMNH. I actually worked there for a few years. It is a really good hospital.