Local Children’s Miracle Network raises record amount

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth fundraised over $1.8 million in 2016, the largest total to date.

Last year’s figure was 9.2 percent higher than the previous record of $1.7 million set in 2015, said CoxHealth spokeswoman Kaitlyn McConnell.

“We are extremely grateful to the people in this community who so generously donated to help our friends and neighbors,” said Tim Siebert, executive director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth, in the release. “However, I anticipate that the demand for our assistance will continue to rise each year.”

The funds are used to buy life-saving equipment and provide financial assistance, education and health care services. Specific causes include:
    •    the Special Needs Fund, which offers financial assistance for medical needs not covered by private insurance or Medicaid;
    •    Family Care Grants, which help families with children who have been hospitalized or need specialized therapy;
    •    the Care Mobile, a mobile health clinic that provides screenings and immunizations; and
    •    CoxHealth’s Child Life program, a four-person team that works with hospitalized children to ease their transition into the health care system.

CoxHealth subsidizes Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ local operating costs. All money donated to the organization stays local, officials say.

Officials also seek donations of stocks and bonds, real estate, personal property, life insurance policies, certificates of deposit, retirement funds, and wills and bequests, according to the release.