Sisters Kaylin (6) and Joslyn Nash (5) celebrate their birthdays just weeks apart.  This year they decided to make their birthdays extra special by donating their presents to Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.  With the help of their mother they set up a Facebook event in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same. The sisters collected hats and stuffed animals which will be distributed to patients at DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where Joslyn was a one-time patient herself.

Their kindness, compassion and generosity will bring smiles to many young patients.  We are very grateful to have such wonderful donors like Kaylin and Joslyn!

To learn more about how you can help Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, CLICK HERE.

~Scott T.

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Children’s Hospital of Michigan Auxiliary is seeking your talent to design the front cover of their 2013 holiday greeting card to be published in December 2013.

Founded in 1949, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Auxiliary raises funds to support programs, research and child advocacy for children in the community.  All profits fromthe card sales will go toward supporting their mission.

Your talent can earn you $100 for your original artwork. The design chosen will be printed, packaged and sold as holiday greeting cards. Each card will display the information of its artist prominently on the back.

If you are interested, please submit the application form which can be found BY CLICKING HERE.

Good Luck!

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On June 11, students from Grosse Pointe North High School and science teacher Chris Skowronski presented a check to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.  The funds were collected via entry fees during the S.A.V.E. A LIFE 5K Run/Walk, which was held on April 28th. The S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violations of the Environment) Club hoped to increase public awareness linking environmental pollution and human health issues.

In total, $9,000 was raised to assist children with cancer. $6,000 was donated to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, who will use the funds for cancer research and their Celebration of a Life Event.  An additional $3,000 was given to the Jacob Michael Davis Foundation, who aids families who have children with cancer during their difficult time.

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The Detroit Grand Prix races into town this weekend. 

Yesterday, Indy Car drivers Ed Carpenter, Robbie Buhl and Josef Newgarden paid a visit to patients at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.  The visit was sponsored by the Racing for Kids organization.

Founded in Detroit at Children’s Hospital in 1989, Racing For Kids is designed to use the increasing popularity of motorsports to focus public attention and funding on the health care needs of children.

The hospital visits form the heart of the program. Racing For Kids drivers visit children in children’s hospitals wherever they race. They spend time with each sick youngster answering questions about their sport, posing for pictures, signing autographs and handing out the distinctive Racing For Kids hats, coloring books and assorted memorabilia provide by our sponsors.

Former Indy Car driver Robbie Buhl has a special relationship with the hospital. His great, great Grandfather, Hiram Walker, founded the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation is proud to partner and work with Racing for Kids and their quest to support cardiology research. Truly a cause we can all rally.

~Scott T.

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We are very fortunate to have such fantastic supporters like Kameron and Rachel Balhorn.

Kameron Balhorn’s school sent home a “Making A Difference” survey to see if any students participated in volunteer work.  Kim Balhorn, Kameron’s mother, participates in a function at her office that benefits less fortunate kids in the metro Detroit area.  She thought it would be a good idea for Kameron to participate in volunteer work of his own.

The Balhorns got in contact with Deanna Scanlon of the Child Life Services department of DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.  Kim was surprised that there was a great need for crayons. Patients are not allowed to share; each patient is only allowed four crayons to color and draw while they are waiting to see a physician or during their stay overnight. Child Life Services can go through thousands of crayons a month.

That was three years ago. Kameron is now joined by his younger sister Rachel.  The brother and sister duo collected donations this year through a pop can drive. They went door-to-door in their neighborhood and passed out a flyer stating they were raising money for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

Together, both Kameron and Rachel have raised enough money to purchase and donate more than 4,000 crayons and have now expanded to include coloring books and markers.

~Scott T.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               

Contact: Lexi Cerilli
248.626.0006

May 16, 2013                                                                             

 FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation has named Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications Co-Founder Matt Friedman as Chair of its Dream. Hope. Discover. Campaign. The multi-million dollar campaign focuses on raising funds for six Metro Detroit-based research and community benefit programs over two years in support of children’s health and in honor of the 125^th anniversary of the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

A member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, Friedman is also Chair of the Board’s Fund Development Committee. The Foundation plans to announce addition details of the Dream. Hope. Discover campaign as it develops throughout 2013 and 2014.

“This campaign will allow us to tell the Foundation’s compelling story and engage more of the community in our important mission of funding pediatric research, medical education, community benefit and advocacy programs – all focused on children’s health,” said Tony Werner, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation. “With his extensive communications experience and knowledge of our community, I look forward to working with Matt Friedman as a leader who will help bring us to our goal.”

A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Friedman resides with his family in West Bloomfield, Mich. 

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATION

Founded in 2003, the CHM Foundation supports the healthcare needs of children by raising philanthropic support for pediatric medical education, pediatric focused research and prevention of childhood diseases and injuries, and child advocacy efforts. The CHM Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service and is governed by a 23-member board of directors.

ABOUT TANNER FRIEDMAN

Tanner Friedman is a strategic communications firm specializing in traditional and emerging media relations, adversity management and public relations counsel. Tanner Friedman is located in the landmark Tri-Atria Building at 32255 Northwestern Highway, Suite 298, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information, please visit tannerfriedman.com.

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Andrew wanted to do something different for his 8^th  birthday party. This year he asked for gifts — not for himself — but for the young patients DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Andrew was recently a patient at the hospital because he broke his arm.  Donating his birthday presents was his way of helping other children who need to stay overnight. Andrew and his family recently visited the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation’s offices to donate the games, toys and books. We are very thankful for his generosity and compassion.

~Scott T.

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BIRMINGHAM, MI, April 24, 2013 — In line with their mission to improve the health and wellness of children in Michigan, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation contributed $2,500,to proudly sponsor the Junior League of Birmingham’s 5^th annual Dash for Destiny 1-mile fun run to be held in conjunction with the 5K walk/run on May 5, at 8:30 a.m. in Shain Park, Birmingham, MI.

In addition to their generous donation, the Foundation is providing strobe-flashing buttons for the kids and walking pedometers for the adults. There will be a special appearance by DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s “Jake and Ellie” mascots to cheer on the runners all day!

“We are excited to support the 1-mile fun run and have the opportunity to engage young people in our community,” says Susan Foley, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation’s Vice President for Advancement.  “Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation is committed to improving challenging circumstances for children in Michigan and the Junior League of Birmingham exemplifies the tireless effort and dedication it takes to make a positive impact in this community.” 

With more than 250 runners expected to attend, Dash for Destiny promises to be a high impact adrenaline filled event, which gives every runner a deep sense of accomplishment. “Part of the League’s mission is to support healthy living and combat childhood obesity and by partnering with organization like the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation we are able to provide higher quality programming and events to the communities we reach,” said Jennifer Faraj, Dash for Destiny Chairwoman 2012-2013. “We are extremely proud to be working with them.”

For more information about Dash for Destiny and how you can get involved, please visit www.facebook.com/jlbm and click on the events section.

ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, INC. Since its inception in 1952, the Junior League of Birmingham, Michigan, Inc. (JLB, Mich., Inc.) has contributed more than one million volunteer hours to support the fulfillment of our mission. JLB, Mich., Inc. is an organization of more than 700 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Our vision is to improve children’s health and wellness, specifically by educating the community about the epidemic of childhood obesity that affects one in three children. For more information, visit the website www.jlbham.org.

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Danielle Williams’ daughter Erika, who is now 12, was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor in September, 2007. All throughout her daughter’s illness, they received the best treatment with the utmost compassion. Danielle decided she wanted to do something and give back for the kindness her family received.

Her inspiration came from her daughter. Every time she went for chemotherapy or radiation treatments Erika received a gift which made her visits just a little less painful.  Danielle wanted to ease the pain of other children during their illness and wanted them to walk away from their experience as she and her daughter did….and hopefully, inspire others to do something either for children who are ill or their community.

So Danielle came up with the idea of the Easter Baskets filled with activity books, crayons, stuffed animals and more. During that first year they collected from schools, Toys-for-Tots and people in their community. Over the next 4 years, they solely collected from friends, their friends and word-of-mouth. This year, they donated dozens of baskets that filled several large containers to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

Danielle, whose motto is, “If Everyone Gave Back Just Once A Year…What A World We Would Live In” also helped form the group M.A.C.C. “Mother’s Against Childhood Cancer”. They have a website, www.mothersagainstchildhoodcancer.org, where people can blog about their experiences with cancer.

Danielle would also like us to note that she has two great friends that go over and beyond for her every year to get donations from friends, family and co-workers: Tammy Lupercio and Desiree Packan Henson, who cares as much for this cause as she does.

Thank you all so very much!

~Scott T.

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Los Angeles Kings defenseman, Alec Martinez, may be a long way from Rochester Hills, but his heart is still in Michigan. 

A graduate of Stoney Creek High School, 26-year-old Alec is fulfilling the dream of many children in southeastern Michigan – in 2007, he was drafted into the National Hockey League. 

Not missing an opportunity to contribute to the community that shaped him, Alec is selling autographed hockey pucks online to benefit Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.  He is especially interested in helping support the research, education and outreach of the professionals at DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.  Alec credits expert medical care with saving his life, “Had my family and I not received such special medical treatment when I was born, I would not be here today.”

Alec is inviting hockey fans, memorabilia lovers and supporters of Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation who just like really cool stuff to purchase a puck and to help him give hope to another child with a dream.

The autographed hockey pucks area available through Sunday, April 14, 2013 and can be purchased here  for $49.99.  Customized pucks are available for $74.99.

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