MILESTONES MIRACLE. Introducing the 2018 Miracle Children

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1 MIRACLE MILESTONES Introducing the 2018 Children 2018 Spring Issue Meet Caden Caden Cherry had some early health hurdles as an infant, but overall he was a happy, thriving 11-year-old boy until the day he stopped breathing. He collapsed during gym class after suffering cardiac arrest and the school nurse had to perform CPR and shock Caden s heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED) five times to get a slight pulse. He was without oxygen for almost 10 minutes. Caden was rushed to Children s Healthcare of Atlanta. His parents expected the worst brain damage, kidney and liver damage. But, the ventilator came out six days later. He passed all neurological tests, and his liver and kidney function returned to normal. Caden had a defibrillator and pacemaker implanted, and he returned home just eight days later. He now sees his cardiologist regularly, but has no limitations. His family is paying back their miracle by educating others about CPR and how to use an AED. Meet Caroline The day before her surgery, 3-year-old Caroline Brewer was cheerfully running the halls of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children s. Her parents, Jamie and Matthew, delighted in seeing her so happy, but watching Caroline was also heart-wrenching. She had brain cancer and a softball-sized tumor nestled at the base of her brain. The official diagnosis was anaplastic ependymoma. If she survived surgery, doctors said she would likely be paralyzed on her left side and possibly blind. Her parents prepared for the worst, but to their amazement, Caroline was sitting upright in bed and smiling after her eight-hour surgery. She was not blind or paralyzed and walked out of the hospital seven days later. Caroline underwent two months of radiation, lost her hair and required physical therapy briefly, but she was a champ. During her six-month MRI in November 2017, another brain tumor was found. Our team once again removed the tumor, and after treatment Caroline looks forward to a cancer-free future. Meet Larenz Larenz Soares is a happy 11-year-old who is motivated to excel and help others. But, he struggles daily to manage a chronic illness that leaves him in unspeakable pain and often hospitalized. At 3 years old, Larenz was diagnosed with sickle beta thalassemia, a rare form of sickle cell disease that causes many health problems. Larenz has undergone a few surgeries since his diagnosis, including having his spleen and gallbladder removed. However, it is the pain that keeps Larenz in and out of the hospital. His mother, Greta, can sometimes help him manage his pain, but often the only relief comes from treatment at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Larenz is admitted for care frequently and typically stays for days at a time, often missing school. Resources such as the Children s School Program have helped him stay on track, though. He has maintained academic honors throughout grade school, and perseveres through his illness, while also inspiring others.

2 Panda Express employees become our heroes Panda Express employees raised $17,000 for local CMN Hospitals during their 2017 mid-atlantic regional meeting in December. They raised a total of $286,412 for Children s in 2017, in addition to serving free lunch in The Zone at Scottish Rite hospital. They also hosted a Chinese New Year celebration Feb.15. Marriott celebrates its 35 th anniversary with CMN Hospitals In 1983, CMN Hospitals was established to help raise funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across North America. That same year, Marriott began supporting CMN Hospitals and holds the honorable distinction of being one of their longest-standing corporate partners. Since 1983, Marriott has raised $5 million for Children s. Panda Express employees proudly support CMN Hospitals. Great Clips campaign benefits Children s and their customers. Annual tournament raised more than $10,000 for CMN Hospitals. Log A Load For Kids Log A Load For Kids hosted its 14 th annual Sporting Clay Tournament at Big Red Oak Plantation in November It featured a CMN Hospitals donation station where participants could donate for a chance to hit five targets. More than $1,000 was collected for CMN Hospitals at this station and more than $10,000 was donated through the tournament. Great Clips A Cut Above the Rest Great Clips raised more than $98,000 for CMN Hospitals in October During the campaign, each customer who made a donation received a CMN Balloon with a coupon for $2 off their next haircut, as well as a coupon for a free small ice-cream cone from Dairy Queen. Stylists also offered patients and their family members free haircuts in The Zone at Scottish Rite hospital, and took time to visit kids in their rooms and give them haircuts if they were unable to leave.

3 Cumulus Media Making s Radiothon and Kane Brown Benefit Concert The Making s Radiothon held Nov. 30, 2017, raised more than $261,000 for Children s thanks to your support. This brings the three-year Making s total to $751,000. The annual radiothon, hosted by Cumulus Media, featured inspiring stories of bravery, hardships and triumphs, as well as highlighted our special employees at Children s who make miracles happen each day. Children s Hospitals Week March 5 through March 11, CMN Hospitals across the country celebrated the second annual Children s Hospitals Week. The metro Atlanta and north Georgia communities were charged with getting involved and supporting the week by wearing a Band-Aid, taking a photo and sharing it on social media using the hashtag #ChildrensHospitalsWeek. They were also encouraged to participate in the CMN Hospitals Facebook Live-a-thon March 7. During this twohour live fundraising event, which was broadcast from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., inspiring pediatric patients were featured, as well as celebrity guests who entertained online visitors. Annual radiothon and benefit concert raised $261,000 for Children s. Last year s event also included the Music Making s Kane Brown Benefit Concert Dec. 2, Children s patient Sydney Lubin was a guest at the concert and sang Silent Night onstage with Brown s opening act, Kyle Clark. Our 2018 Child, Caden Cherry, represented Children s as the official Children s Hospitals Week champion. Your gift for the greatest need Every dollar raised locally through CMN Hospitals campaigns, events and partners directly helps Children s provide the best healthcare possible to sick and injured children in our community and across the state and the Southeast. Annually, we care for more than 1 million children from all 159 counties in Georgia, and we are able to meet the increasing demand for our services because of your generosity. Your investment makes an impact on the health, well-being and future of Georgia s children. As a not-for-profit organization, we are grateful for donor support, as it allows us to dedicate ourselves to providing top-notch pediatric care. From supporting patient family financial assistance and staff needs to medical equipment maintenance and training, every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference in the lives of kids and helps make sure that support is available for our most imperative needs. Children s patient Sydney Lubin sang at the benefit concert.

4 Dance Marathon recap Our local Dance Marathon teams continue to make quite an impact supporting Children s. Extra Life Game Day: Conquering New Levels In 2017, Extra Life raised more than $83,000 for Children s a new market record. The fundraising effort included local companies, gaming clubs and individuals hosting gaming marathons throughout the year. KSU participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Children s at Town Center Outpatient Care Center. Kennesaw State University Dance Marathon students are gearing up for their annual Dance Marathon March 24 to continue support of the Children s at Town Center Outpatient Care Center. The guild leadership team, comprised of passionate gamers, collaborated with local cons and tournaments, such as DreamHack, MomoCon and Southern-Fried Gaming Expo, to raise awareness and support for Extra Life and Children s. Some gamers also participated in a 24-hour challenge by pledging to play for 24 hours on Extra Life s National Game Day, Nov. 4, Contact Beth Agee at beth.agee@choa.org to learn more about Extra Life leadership and volunteer opportunities in UGA raised nearly $1.3 million for Children s. The University of Georgia Dance Marathon Team, UGA, raised nearly $1.3 million and more than 2,500 participated in the 2018 event. Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit rehabilitation services and the Aflac Cancer Center. UGA is ranked in the top 10 programs of CMN Hospitals nationally and has donated more than $8.3 million to Children s. Take 5 Oil Change joins Children s Christmas Parade New to the Atlanta market for CMN Hospitals, Take 5 Oil Change sponsored a marching band in the 37 th annual Children s Christmas Parade Dec. 2, Take 5 Oil Change has been serving customers and communities across the U.S. for more than 30 years.

5 Upcoming events 2018 events Date For more information Emory University Dance Marathon March 23 choa.org/emorymiracle Kennesaw State University Dance Marathon March 24 choa.org/ksumiracle Rite Aid Campaign March 25 through May 12 Ace Round Up for s April 1 through April 30 nancy.koenig@choa.org Georgia State University Dance Marathon April 14 choa.org/gsuftk University of North Georgia Dance Marathon April 14 choa.org/hopeung Costco Balloon Campaign May 1 through May 31 abby.wexler@choa.org RE/MAX Play 4 the Kids Tennis Tournament May 5 choa.org/playforthekidstennis Kroger Balloon Campaign May 13 through May 26 abby.wexler@choa.org Randal Lowe Plumbing Golf Outing May 16 sharon.robinson@choa.org Costco Golf Tournament May 17 abby.wexler@choa.org Publix Balloon Campaign May 31 through June 16 beth.agee@choa.org DQ Balloon Campaign June 1 through Aug. 2 nancy.koenig@choa.org Ace Golf Tournament June 7 choa.org/acegolf Coasterthon June 21 choa.org/coasterthon Treat Day Aug. 2 miracletreatday.com Ace Bucket Promotion Aug. 3 through Aug. 5 nancy.koenig@choa.org Love s Travel Stops Balloon Campaign Aug. 26 through Sept. 30 beth.agee@choa.org Wal-Mart and Sam s Club Balloon Campaign Aug. 27 through Sept. 23 melisa.morrow@choa.org Additional contact information can be found on the back of this newsletter.

6 NONPROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation University Office Park Dartmouth Building 3395 Northeast Expressway, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA You help make miracles happen is published for our donors, CMN Hospitals local and national partners and Children. We hope you enjoy receiving this semiannual newsletter as a way of saying thank you for the miracles you help make happen at Children s. CMN Hospitals contact information: About CMN Hospitals For 35 years, CMN Hospitals has raised funds nationally for more than 170 pediatric hospitals, including Children s. Since 1983, the local community s generous support of CMN Hospitals has helped raise more than $86 million for Children s three hospitals and 27 neighborhood locations. Fundraising efforts in Atlanta and north Georgia directly benefit Children s, reflecting the CMN Hospitals pledge to keep 100 percent of donations in the local community. Like us at facebook.com/cmnatlanta so we can share updates on Children, new things happening at Children s and the latest on campaign initiatives. If you are a Children s patient interested in participating in CMN Hospitals events, visit choa.org/cmn for more information. Beth Agee beth.agee@choa.org Lydia George lydia.george@choa.org Nancy Koenig nancy.koenig@choa.org Melisa Morrow melisa.morrow@choa.org Sharon Robinson sharon.robinson@choa.org Abby Wexler abby.wexler@choa.org A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE ( ) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Registration Number: CH Children s Healthcare of Atlanta Inc. All rights reserved. FND ln.3/18 If you wish to opt out of future communications from the Children s Foundation, visit choa.org/preferences.