12 Months of Miracles: Recap 2023 with Hurley Children’s Hospital
January: Hudson is our 2023 Child Champion
Every year, Hurley Children’s Hospital names a local child champion to be represent our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program. This year, our CMN Child Champion was Hudson Campbell. Huge thanks to Hudson and his family for all of the amazing things they’ve done this past year. Learn more about 2023 CMN Child Champion Hudson here.
February: Linden High School’s N.A.ME Game
On February 3rd, Linden High School hosted their annual N.A.ME (Not About Me) game. Players from both basketball programs played in honor of children undergoing treatments at Hurley’s Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Kids were recognized at half court and were inducted into the Linden Athletics family. Overall, both Linden basketball programs came together to make every child feel special.
March: Statewide CMN Hospitals’ Collaboration Meeting
On March 9th, leaders from all four CMN hospitals across the state of Michigan came together to meet and collaborate with one another about the year ahead. Being a part of the Children’s Miracle Network gives hospitals like Hurley the opportunity to collaborate and bounce ideas off of other CMN hospitals across the state and country.
April: Celebrating Children’s Hospitals Week
During Children’ Hospitals Week, we celebrate the miracles that happen every single day. Our Credit Union partners came through in such a big way to raise awareness, including our 2023 Miracle Pop Sponsor, Sovita Credit Union, who matched all donations made in the West Lobby. Another huge highlight from that week was the unveiling of the NICU Hall of Fame, honoring six Hurley miracles.
May: 32nd CMN Bowlathon
Flushing’s Colonial Lanes hosted Hurley Children’s Hospital’s CMN Bowlathon for the 32nd year. Team sponsors and miracle families came together to have fun, bowl, and raise money for the NICU and other Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs here at Hurley. At this years Bowlathon, you helped raise more than $20,000 for our youngest patients.
June: “Down Right Awesome” Modified Race
Birch Run Speedway hosted racers from across the country for their second annual “Down Right Awesome” modified race, which is the largest modified race in the country. This year, event sponsors and attendees raised over $14,500 for pediatric programs at Hurley Children’s Hospital.
July: Panda Express Brings Hope and Healing
On July 17th, #HurleyChildrensHospital welcomed associates of @officialpandaexpress into the hospital to celebrate a $550,000 fundraising commitment to the Panda Cares® Center of Hope housed within the hospital’s Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit. In addition to the $550,000 commitment celebrated, the hospital recognized Panda Express® guests and their associates from five local restaurants who’ve raised over $344,000 for Hurley Children’s Hospital since 2007.
September: “Let’s Make Miracles” Radiothon
Hurley Children’s Hospital partnered with Cars108 and Dort Financial Credit Union to put on our annual Let’s Make Miracles Radiothon. Many miracle families, including our 2023 local CMN Champion Hudson, shared their stories about how Hurley Children’s Hospital has impacted their lives. This year, you were able to raise $90,208 for Hurley kids! Get a more in-depth look at our 2023 Radiothon here.
October: Halloween Costumes for NICU Babies
Every baby deserves their first Halloween. Hurley’s Volunteer Corps. go above and beyond to ensure that our NICU families have a special way to remember their babies’ first Halloween. Special thanks to our Volunteer Corps. for once again handknitting and these amazingly adorable outfits for some of our smallest, strongest patients. Check out some of the sweet miracles from Halloween on the Hurley Foundation’s Instagram.
November: Extra Life Weekend
On November 4th, Hurley Children’s Hospital along with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country came together to celebrate Extra Life’s 15th annual Game Day. As of December 15th, you helped raise over $30,000 for pediatric patients here at Hurley. Learn more about this year’s Extra Life celebration here.
December: Holiday Gift in Kind Donations
The holiday’s are such a wonderful time for giving. Many members of our community come together to make this time of year special for our pediatric patients here at Hurley. Toys, stuffed animals, blankets, more toys are some of the things that will put a smile on kids faces this holiday season. You can also help make this holiday season special for Hurley kids. To learn more about how to give, visit https://www.hurleyfoundation.org/give.
This year has truly been one for the books. We have been able to harness the power behind the amazing initiatives above (and more) to change kids’ health and change the future… and we can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store!
MeKenzie Phillips is the CMN Office and Fundraising Associate at Hurley Foundation. Comments or questions about this blog? Email mphilli5@hurleymc.com.