Your Dollar Could Donate a Miracle

Having your child admitted to a children’s hospital is not something you ever imagine will happen when you become a parent. Sure, there are those trips to the pediatrician for routine ailments and maybe even an emergency room visit for stitches at some point, but not a hospital stay. If you have never had this happen in your family, be thankful. I speak from experience when I tell you it changes you forever.

About two and a half years ago, my son got sick. It started with a fever and no other symptoms. The next morning, he had a slight limp and was complaining of some ankle pain. As the day went on, his pain got worse and we noticed it increased as the fever got higher. Eventually, he was in so much pain that he stopped walking completely and started crawling through our house. At the time, he was six-years-old. The very next day, we took him to the pediatrician, who diagnosed him with strep, but also sent us for x-rays of his leg and a sonogram of his heart to rule out other ailments. Within 24 hours, we were sitting in the ER of Children’s Hospital of Dallas, where we were later admitted for what we would learn the next day was a bone infection. We endured five days of test, IVs and other things you never want to witness your child go through.

If I had to do it again - and I hope I never do - I would want my child right back at Children’s Hospital of Dallas, one of the local children’s hospitals supported by the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). The hospitals supported by the CMN turn nobody away. I was very lucky to have health insurance, but even if I didn’t, my son would have been treated. Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids each year – even when the kids’ families can’t pay. They are local families living in your community. This level of treatment is made possible by people like you, who donate money to help these hospitals keep their doors open.

Neighborhood Credit Union is asking you to join us as we participate in Miracle Jeans Days every Wednesday in September. Each Wednesday, we will be wearing our jeans to help raise funds for local children who need medical help. With the support of our members, we're working to raise funds for our local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Contribute as little as $1 at your local branch anytime in September, and we'll post your name on a Miracle Jeans Day donation form, We hope you'll join us by making a donation to make a difference.

Truth be known, my family fared well compared to many children who end up living in the hospital for years. As I was wheeling my son around the hospital many times for a change of scenery, we saw children who couldn’t sit up, couldn’t eat or didn’t have hair. Please, help these children and their families by making a donation at your Neighborhood Credit Union branch. Together, we can change a child’s life.