Miracle Treat Day is happening at a DQ® near you! On July 28th, all participating Dairy Queen stores will donate at least $1 from every Blizzard® purchased. You can help local kids receive the medical treatments they need just by grabbing your favorite frozen treat. So mark your calendars for July 28th and go to www.miracletreatday.com to find your nearest participating DQ® location!
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Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth is Blazing New Trail
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth (CMN Hospitals) is moving to an innovative fundraising and marketing approach that optimizes resources to better benefit our local kids with medical needs. After months of research and planning, and after obtaining input from CMN Hospitals national and other sources, it was determined that the annual Telethon should be modified to greatly enhance both the Telethon effort and Radiothon effort. These exciting enhancements are as follows:
Telethon
A new Telethon format called “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Week” on KY3 has been developed. This annual event will be broadcast from KY3 and include children’s stories, interviews, live cut-ins from the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital, information about CMN Hospitals and pitches for listeners to contribute to CMN Hospitals through a phone bank provided by KY3. The new format will also allow for year-round stewardship of major donors and increase media exposure throughout the year.
The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Week will take place the first week following Thanksgiving (Monday through Sunday). There will be no Telethon in May/June of 2016 and the first Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Week will take place November 28, 2016 – December 4, 2016. The Telethon will take place during the following newscasts:
- Mon., Tue., Wed.—On KY3 Ozarks Today (5:00 a.m.-7:00 a.m.); On The Ozarks CW (7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m.)
- Tue., Wed., Thur.—On KY3 News at Noon (Noon-12:30 p.m.)
- Wed., Thur., Fri.—On The Ozarks CW at Nine (9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.)
- Sat., Sun.—On KY3 Ozarks Today (7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.)
As part of the overall package, CMN Hospitals will receive 252 15-second television spots to run on KY3 throughout the year. These spots can be used to recognize major donors and sponsors, promote fundraising events, highlight major campaigns, etc.
Radiothon
The annual Radiothon occured on February 18-19 on KSPW Power 96.5. This year, the new arrangement allowed CMN Hospitals to add talk radio KSGF 104.1 and The River KRVI 106.7 to the Radiothon. KSGF broadcasted the Radiothon live from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. each day and KRVI broadcasted the Radiothon live from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. each day. From 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., both of the additional stations promoted the Radiothon.
All three stations are part of the same local corporate family and located in the same facility. The Radiothon was broadcasted from each individual studio with one phone bank in the facility that received calls from all three stations. Live cut-ins also took place from the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
As part of the overall package, CMN Hospitals will receive 451 30-second radio spots to run on KTTS, KSGF or KRVI throughout the year. These spots can be used to recognize major donors and sponsors, promote fundraising events, highlight major campaigns, etc.
Benefits of Telethon & Radiothon Enhancements
- Increases projected average Telethon viewers per hour by 203%
- Increases projected average Radiothon listeners per 15 minute segment (adults age 18+) by 158%
- Will open up possible opportunities for local Telethon pitching from syndicated programs like Rachel Ray, Dr. Phil, Wheel of Fortune, The Doctors, etc.
- Radiothon is expanded to include two additional radio stations with different listener demographics
- Television and radio spots will enhance year-round exposure, allow better recognition of major donors/sponsors, and increase opportunities to promote fundraising events and campaigns
- Receive free inbound and outbound calling from the television and radio stations during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Week and during Radiothon
- Making all of the above Telethon and Radiothon enhancements will actually save budget dollars while helping to raise additional support for local children suffering from injuries and illnesses
The number of traditional telethons held in CMN Hospitals markets across North America has declined from 134 in 2005 to 11 in 2015. The new Telethon and Radiothon formats should help take CMN Hospitals at CoxHealth to the next level.
Hamra Enterprises names charity of choice
Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s division has once again selected Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as its charity of choice for 2016. The partnership, now in its third year, raised more than $101,000 for CMN Hospitals in 2015 – an increase that more than doubled 2014’s numbers.
“We had a very successful campaign and partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 2015,” said Chuck Ocarz, president of Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s Division, in a news release. “We are looking forward to what is in store for 2016 with goals to meet and hopefully exceed what we raised in 2015 for CMN Hospitals.”
As a corporation that cares deeply for the welfare of children, Hamra Enterprises will raise funds throughout the year at each of its 35 Wendy’s locations to assist local children suffering from injuries and illnesses. Funds are raised through the sale of $1 paper miracle balloons during certain months, as well as canisters near cash registers where customers can donate their change.
“We are humbled and grateful that we were selected as Hamra Enterprises’ charity of choice for the third year in a row,” says Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. “We depend on the generosity of businesses, individuals, foundations and organizations to bring hope and healing to children who might otherwise go without the medical attention they desperately need. We thank Hamra Enterprises for the care and compassion they are sharing with the children and families we serve.”
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Selected as Charity of Choice by Hamra Enterprise, a franchisee of Wendy’s International in Southwest Missouri.
Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s division has once again selected Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as its charity of choice for 2015. This is the second year for the partnership.
As a corporation that cares deeply for the welfare of children, Hamra Enterprise will raise funds throughout the year at each of its 35 Wendy’s locations to assist local children suffering from injuries and illnesses.
“We had a very successful campaign and partnership with Children’s Miracle Network in 2014 by raising over $42,000 total,” says Chuck Ocarz, president of Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s Division. We are looking forward to what is in store for 2015 with goals to raise even more for CMN this year.”
“We are humbled and grateful that we were selected as Hamra Enterprises’ charity of choice for the second year in a row,” says Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. “We depend on the generosity of businesses, individuals, foundations and organizations to bring hope and healing to children who might otherwise go without the medical attention they desperately need. We thank Hamra Enterprise’s for the care and compassion they are sharing with the children and families we serve.”
Hamra Enterprises’ Wendy’s locations will be selling $1 paper miracle balloons during the month of February. Additionally, customers can donate their change throughout the year in canisters placed near cash registers.
About Hamra Enterprises Hamra Enterprises is a dynamic organization owned and founded in 1975 by the Hamra family. The company’s headquarters is in Springfield, Missouri and includes six companies with over 3,500 employees in four states; Missouri, Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas. Hamra Enterprises is committed to providing the highest quality products and services within the hospitality industry, creating exceptional experiences for people and communities by engaging each of its restaurant neighborhoods through community service, fundraising, and other philanthropic partnerships such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish of Illinois, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. For more information please visit, hamraenterprises.com.
About CMN Hospitals at CoxHealth: CoxHealth underwrites the administrative expenses of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth, allowing 100 percent of donations and proceeds to be used to help local kids with medical needs. To donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, visit one of the Wendy’s locations listed above, or call (417) 269-5437.
CoxHealth Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Selected as Charity of Choice by Wendy’s of Missouri, Inc.
Wendy’s of Missouri, Inc., has selected Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth as its charity of choice for 2014. As a corporation that cares deeply for the welfare of children, Wendy’s of Missouri will raise funds throughout the year at each of its 34 locations to assist local children suffering from injuries and illnesses.
“By partnering with Children’s Miracle Network we look forward to having a greater impact on the lives of children in our community,” says Chuck Ocarz, president of Wendy’s of Missouri, Inc. “We anticipate great things to come from this partnership in 2014.”
“We are humbled and grateful that we were selected as Wendy’s of Missouri’s charity of choice for 2014,” says Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. “We depend on the generosity of businesses, individuals, foundations and organizations to bring hope and healing to children who might otherwise go without the medical attention they desperately need. We thank Wendy’s of Missouri for the care and compassion they are sharing with the children and families we serve.”
About Wendy’s of Missouri, Inc.: Wendy’s of Missouri, Inc., is a Wendy’s franchisee owned by the Hamra Family and operated by Hamra Enterprises. Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., the company has eight locations in Springfield, four locations in Kansas City, three locations in Branson, two locations in Jefferson City and Columbia, and one location each in Bolivar, Ozark, Nixa, Lebanon, St. Robert, Rolla, Fulton, Lake Ozark, Clinton, Republic, Sedalia, Harrisonville, Warrensburg, Liberty and Platte City.
About CMN Hospitals at CoxHealth: CoxHealth underwrites the administrative expenses of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth, allowing 100 percent of donations and proceeds to be used to help local kids with medical needs. To donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, visit one of the Wendy’s locations listed above, or call (417) 269-5437.
EFCO presents to Children’s Miracle Network
Pictured above, from left, are: Mike Farquhar, president and chief operations officer at EFCO, presenting the check to Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network at CoxHealth, and Genny Maroc, vice president at CoxHealth and president of Cox Monett Hospital. Times Photo by Melonie Roberts.
[divider]EFCO, a Pella Company, recently presented a check in the amount of $2,182 to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of CoxHealth.
The funds will be used to underwrite the cost of a new BiliBed for Cox Monett Hospital. The BiliBed uses special blue spectrum lights to treat newborn babies with hyperbilirubinemia, or jaundice.
Cox Monett Hospital has only one BiliBed at this time, and the second one, which will be purchased with these funds, will allow more than one infant to be treated at the same time.
“We are thrilled that EFCO made this generous gift to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to benefit the Monett community,” said Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network. “This new equipment will further enhance the quality of care provided to babies born at Cox Monett.”
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital staffers lift patients’ spirits during the holidays
Written by
Mark E. McCormick – Springfield News-Leader
During prom season earlier this year, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital staff threw a last-minute prom for a teen patient who’d miss that iconic high school event because of her hospitalization.
Around Halloween, the staff led the tiny patients down the halls with trick-or-treat bags.
And during this Christmas season, Santa will visit the children, most of them worried St. Nick won’t be able to find them at the hospital. The staff, said Coordinator of Child Life Services Rana Post, cushions stays for the often critically ill children and worried parents spending the holidays in the hospital.
“We really don’t want them to think that they won’t get their presents because they’re here,” Post said of the 10 to 15 children there Friday. “We try to make their stay here as normal as possible, especially over the holidays. We try to get them home, but that’s not always possible.”
The hospital serves a 32-county area and reaches as many as 100,000 children. The hospital’s Care Mobile does immunizations and screenings.
But when children and families are admitted for one of the 32 beds in the ward — six of them reserved for the pediatric intensive care unit — the hospital focuses on making them as comfortable as possible, said Executive Director Tim Siebert.
“Our job is to lift their spirits and to meet them where they are,” Siebert said. “A sense of normalcy helps with the healing process.”
Chris and Becky Davis of Ozark were in the ninth day of their most recent hospital stay with their year-old son Elijah, who suffers from a congenital brain malformation that has caused epilepsy, as well as developmental and feeding issues.
“We’re just so thankful,” Becky Davis said. “This was such a huge blessing.”
Becky Davis said she was especially thankful for one of the comforts the hospital provides — meal trays for the families of patients. Not being home to cook could mean running out to buy expensive meals, “and that can really add up.”
Chris Davis said the facilities and the comforts have helped them cope. The playroom down the hall, for example, makes it easier for them to entertain Elijah’s big sister Adrienne, who’s 3-and-a-half.
“It’s wonderful to be able to have Adrienne here,” Chris Davis said. “Being separated from family is one of the worst parts of being in the hospital.”
The hospital also schedules regular visits from wise-cracking doctor clowns with painted faces and white lab coats. They have a group of therapy dogs that interact with the children.
The dogs, Post said, are especially positive. She’s seen children who’d been fighting for consciousness rise up in their beds to pet the dogs.
“Especially if they have a dog at home,” Post said. “It’s very theraputic.”
But these efforts take on another level of urgency around the Christmas holiday season, she said.
For example, the staff is preparing a Christmas party for Wednesday featuring Santa. They’ve been wrapping presents and attaching the names so Santa can call each of the children up to him by name.
For those who can’t leave their rooms, Santa will pull a wagon of toys into each room.
Juanita Olsen was set to receive the ultimate present, her 6-month-old daughter Rebekah’s release.
Rebekah had spiked a temperature so her doctor suggested Olsen bring her in. The results from a spinal tap were abnormal, so her doctor admitted her. By Friday, the baby had rallied to fight off what had just been a virus. The doctor said Rebekah looked awesome.
A sense of relief washed over Olsen’s face as she smiled. It’s difficult enough having a child there, but being a nurse added to her frustration. She continually fought her urges to be a nurse while needing to be a mommy taking care of her baby.
“Everyone here has been really great,” Olsen said. “They’ve been taking care of me and taking care of her.”
Brooke Kincaid
Springfield, MO
Battling cancer is not easy, especially at the tender age of three. On Aug. 25, 2005, Brooke Kincaid was taken to the Emergency Department at Cox South. She was running a fever and her parents noticed a large knot on the side of her head. After a CT scan, doctors found what appeared to be a tumor in Brooke’s skull. She was rushed to St. Louis Children’s Hospital where neurosurgeons confirmed that is was tumor and it was critical that they remove it as soon as possible.
Three days later, the tumor was removed and Brooke was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of cancer in infants and children, is a malignant tumor that develops from nerve issue and is not limited to any specific part of the body.
After surgery to remove the tumor, Brooke had a MRI that revealed tumors on her leg and adrenal gland. Brooke immediately underwent six rounds of high induction chemotherapy. She lost all of her hair after the first round. Amazingly enough, no surgery was needed to remove the tumor in her leg – it disappeared on its own. In January 2006, she had surgery to remove the tumor on her adrenal gland and as soon as she had recovered from surgery, she had a bone marrow transplant. She was prescribed a medication that has demonstrated efficacy in preventing the growth of recurrent and metastic cells.
Today, Brooke remains in remission and is able to call her a cancer survivor! However, with Neuroblastoma there is an 80 percent chance of relapse so she is constantly monitored. She walks with a limp due to the damage caused by the tumor in her leg, but overall Brooke is doing great. She continues to see specialists in St. Louis, but the major battle is over.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helps families cover expenses to travel to their child’s out-of-town doctors appointments. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals needs your support to continue to provide travel assistance to families like Brooke’s. If you would like to make a difference in the life of a child, please contact our office at 417/269-KIDS!
Keana
Keana was seriously injured in the tornado that devastated Joplin in 2011.
Kadie
Kadie has scimitar syndrome, a congenital heart and lung defect, and she was born without an esophagus. At five years old, she is preparing for her 12th surgery.